About the Early Onset Osteoporosis Center

The Early-Onset Osteoporosis Center (EOC) within the Metabolic Bone Diseases Program in the Division of Endocrinology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) focuses on rare forms of osteoporosis that affect young adults under the age of 50. The EOC conducts ongoing research studies of Early-Onset Osteoporosis, which we draw upon to provide individualized clinical evaluation, and personalized treatment plans, for patients with this rare condition.

Ongoing research within the EOC utilizes multiple tools of inquiry including advanced bone-imaging and analysis techniques, detailed investigation of hormonal and metabolic mechanisms, analyses of bone biopsy samples to assess bone structure and bone formation at the tissue level, bone cell studies to evaluate bone cell growth and responses, as well as collaboration with Columbia’s Center for Precision Medicine and Genomics on projects that aim to identify potential genetic causes of Early-Onset Osteoporosis. The Center’s research includes specialized studies of disease mechanisms—and treatment options—for osteoporosis in premenopausal women, including those with osteoporosis associated with pregnancy and lactation.

Establishment of the EOC was made possible through generous support from the Thomas L. Kempner, Jr. Foundation.

The EOC Team

Adi Cohen, MD, MHS: Associate Professor of Medicine at CUMC, and Director of the EOC, Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine

Elizabeth Shane, MD

Angela Carrelli, MD: Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine

Thomas Nickolas, MD, MS: Associate Professor of Medicine at CUMC, Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine
Mariana Bucovsky, MHA: Research Project Manager
Mafo Kamanda-Kosseh, RN: Research Nurse Coordinator
Ivelisse (Tita) Colon:  Research Coordinator
Sanchita Agarwal, MS: Imaging Data Manager, Imaging Data Analyst
Nayoung Kil: Research Radiologic Technologist

Ivelisse (Tita) Colon: Clinical Coordinator

Lauren Lynch, MD: Assistant Professor of Medicine at CUIMC

Alyssa Christopoulos: Research Assistant