Johannes Kepler University Linz – Dr. Josephine T. Tauer, Assistant Professor at Johannes Kepler University Linz, has been honored with the internationally acclaimed Harold M. Frost Young Investigator Award by the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR). She received the award for her outstanding scientific contribution titled “Insights into Intestinal Pathophysiology and Microbial Ecology in Osteogenesis imperfecta.”
Her pioneering work explores the structural changes in the gut and the role of the microbiome in the rare hereditary disorder Osteogenesis imperfecta—commonly known as brittle bone disease. These findings significantly enhance the current understanding of the disease’s complexity and represent a key advancement in translational research on rare musculoskeletal conditions.
The Frost Award is presented biennially to just ten young researchers from around the world and is known for its highly competitive selection process, drawing applicants from top institutions across Europe and the United States. Dr. Tauer’s third-time recognition by the ASBMR underscores her exceptional and ongoing contributions to the field of musculoskeletal research.
As part of the honor, Dr. Tauer was invited to present at the ORS International Musculoskeletal Biology Workshop, held from July 19–24, 2025, in Midway, Utah (USA). This prestigious event serves as a leading forum for interdisciplinary exchange on musculoskeletal disorders and therapeutic innovations.
“I am honored to receive this award, not only for myself, but also because it recognizes the importance of translational research in the field of rare diseases in children,” stated Dr. Tauer.
About Dr. Josephine T. Tauer
Since January 2024, Dr. Tauer has led the Rare Disease research team at the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at Kepler University Hospital. In February 2025, she was appointed tenure-track assistant professor at Johannes Kepler University Linz. Her work focuses on the mechanisms of rare pediatric diseases, with a particular emphasis on the interaction between bone, muscle, metabolism, and the gut microbiome.
Dr. Tauer holds a PhD in biomedicine from University Hospital Dresden, where she developed a preclinical model to study the long-term impact of tyrosine kinase inhibitors on the pediatric skeleton—aimed at improving treatments for children with chronic myeloid leukemia. As a postdoctoral researcher at Shriners Hospital in Montreal, Canada, she advanced new therapeutic strategies for Osteogenesis imperfecta.
Her interdisciplinary research has been published internationally, and she has received multiple Young Investigator Awards. Dr. Tauer is also committed to mentoring the next generation of researchers.
Source: Johannes Kepler University Linz
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