Prof. René Rizzoli is an internist and endocrinologist, with a subspecialty focus on metabolic bone diseases, osteoporosis and disorders of mineral metabolism.

He is emeritus professor of medicine at the University Hospitals of Geneva, and former head of the service of bone diseases. Dr. Rizzoli is the former chairman of the Committee of Scientific Advisors of the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF).

He is the chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis, and co-chairs the scientific program committee of the annual IOF-ESCEO congress. At IOF, he is board member and treasurer. He has been involved in both basic and clinical research projects investigating hormone action, regulation of bone growth, pathophysiology of osteoporosis and of calcium and phosphate homeostasis disorders, and the role of nutrition, calcium, protein, bisphosphonates, selective estrogen modulators, parathyroid hormone, denosumab and strontium ranelate in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Dr. Rizzoli is author of more than 900 scientific articles, editor-in-chief of Calcified Tissue International & Musculoskeletal Research and associate editor of Osteoporosis International.