The ASBMR helped Nicole by providing volunteer opportunities which allowed her to gain leadership experience that benefited not only the Society but her career development too.  

Dr. Nicole Wright is an Associate Professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham in the United States with a research focus on osteoporosis epidemiology. With over 13 years in the field and as an ASBMR member, she shares what has helped her advance in her research and her career over the years. 

How has the ASBMR helped you in your career?

Since joining the Society 13 years ago, I have actively sought out opportunities to volunteer. Doing so has allowed me learn more about the Society and its programs. Professionally, volunteering has also allowed me to gain leadership experience and hone my management skills which are directly applicable to the work that I do at my institution.

As an ASBMR member, what are benefits or resources that have been most valuable to you?

The career development sessions at the annual meeting have been a great resource for me. I have attended several on how to advance your career in science. They touched on topics like negotiations and promotion which provided great insight and the knowledge gained was invaluable when I was putting my promotion and tenure package together. I can say with certainty that I would have not been as well prepared to produce a successful package that resulted in a promotion to Associate Professor if not for these ASBMR sessions.

At these sessions I was also able to interact with several ASBMR leaders in one-on-one conversations as a component of the programs which helped me to expand my network and develop relationships with leaders in and outside of my institution.

How have connections with other ASBMR members helped you in your career?                             

I was initially introduced to the ASBMR by my Ph.D. Advisor Dr. Zhao Chen, Ph.D. from the University of Arizona.  After my first ASBMR Annual Meeting, there was no turning back. Dr. Chen made sure to introduce me to several ASBMR members who were key to WHI, the database I was working on at the time, particularly Drs. Jane Cauley, Meryl LeBoff, and Joan McGowan. Every year, I made sure to network with them.

At UAB, I was mentored by prominent ASBMR members, Drs. Ken Saag and Jeffrey Curtis. They introduced me to the clinical side of osteoporosis. Through their guidance, I was able to meet members such as Drs. Steve Cummings, Ethel Siris, and Mike Lewiecki.

Each of these interactions helped further my career. My WHI connections grew stronger and I have remained involved in additional musculoskeletal work coming out of the WHI. Likewise, the new clinical connections have helped me to be involved in designing grants around osteoporosis treatments and developing manuscripts around various osteoporosis prevalence definitions.

Each of these interactions has spawned additional connections, expanding my research network. Without the ASBMR, I would not be the scientist I am today.

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