Jose I Aguirre,

I have worked in bone biology and comparative medicine for ~30 years. My DVM degree and Laboratory Animal Medicine and Veterinary Pathology training have allowed me to acquire the expertise, skills and experience to design and conduct comprehensive in vivo studies, direct the execution of advanced procedures, and analyze complex data.

My research has focused on bone biology & skeletal disorders, including osteoporosis and osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). I have participated in novel preclinical studies investigating antiresorptives, particularly N-containing bisphosphonates, as well as different bone anabolic agents, including nitric oxide, prostaglandins, parathyroid hormone, sex steroids, basic fibroblast growth factors, mechanical forces, small molecules, and biologic drugs targeting the Wnt signaling pathway. In almost all of my research studies, I have used bone histomorphometry techniques as a fundamental approach. I was introduced to this sophisticated technique more than 25 years ago when I performed my Diploma in Pathology at the Imperial College London under the direction of Dr. Julia M. Polak and Prof. Iain MacIntyre. I further enhanced my experience in bone histomorphometry during my Ph.D. program. Later, as a Postdoc under the direction of Dr. Michael Parfitt and Robert Weinstein I continued to strengthen my experience and knowledge in this discipline, working for more than ten years under the mentorship of Dr. Thomas Wronski, a world-renowned expert in bone histomorphometry who set many field standards. Since 2014, I have continued the legacy by continuing the bone histomorphometry service in our lab, which Dr. Wronski established at the University of Florida in 1983.

In the last 15 years, my research has also focused on pathologic conditions that affect oral bone, including periodontitis, oral bone healing, and ONJ. Our current study has contributed to recognizing periodontitis and oral infections as oral risk factors for ONJ.

During the most recent time, I have been exploring new areas of research within the bone biology arena, including investigation of the effects of herbicides and chemical substances or factors that negatively affect the environment on the skeleton. Specifically, I have been captivated by the hypothesis that bone could represent a critical reservoir and sustained-released system for certain toxic compounds into circulation and, by this mechanism, induce long-term side effects to different organs and systems.

Skeletal effects of bisphosphonates and bone anabolic agents/drugs for the prevention and treatment of local osteopenias (e.g., jaw) and postmenopausal osteoporosis. Pathophysiology of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ARONJ), and other side effects of antiresorptive drugs. Small animal models of periodontitis. Extended half-life of RANK Ligand antagonists for preclinical testing of osteoporosis treatments in small animals. Comparative medicine.

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