Dr. Sanjay Bhadada, a distinguished clinician-scientist and academic leader, currently heads
the Department of Endocrinology at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education
and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh. His journey from a modest upbringing and temple
school education in Rajasthan to national and international acclaim is a testament to his
unwavering dedication to medicine, science, and societal welfare. Over the past two decades,
Dr. Bhadada has emerged as a foremost authority in endocrine and metabolic bone disorders.
His expansive research spans primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), osteoporosis, diabetes,
and rare metabolic bone disease.
His research portfolio is remarkably comprehensive, addressing the entire spectrum of PHPT
with a special emphasis on genomics, epigenetics, microRNA analysis, transcriptomics, and
metabolomics. He developed and maintained the INDIAN PHPT REGISTRY for more than
20 years. Under his guidance, multiple pre-clinical animal models have been developed to
simulate osteoporosis, CKD-related bone disease, and other metabolic bone disorders,
thereby creating a strong translational pipeline for future therapeutics. His work has advanced
the understanding of PHPT—from detailed clinical profiling to uncovering its pathogenesis
via epigenetic modifications—ultimately transforming both care and research in the field of
MBD
A key highlight of his contributions is the establishment of the ORI (Osteoporosis
Registry—India) first digital real-world evidence platform tracking clinical outcomes and
national trends in osteoporosis management. He is also the visionary behind the Advanced
Bone Research Laboratory at PGIMER, a state-of-the-art facility combining HR-pQCT,
DEXA, histomorphometry, and genetic analysis to study bone microarchitecture and fragility
comprehensively; it has the capability to study bone from millimetres to microns in thickness.
His lab has become a hub for translational skeletal biology research and imaging.
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One of Dr. Sanjay Kumar Bhadada’s most impactful contributions has been the establishment
of normative ranges for bone mineral density (BMD) and lean mass specific to the Indian
population. Utilizing DEXA scans, he has helped define thresholds for diagnosing
osteoporosis and sarcopenia in India—an essential advancement given the high prevalence of
metabolic bone disorders. His research has significantly improved fracture risk assessment
and has provided critical insights into the relationship between bone health, insulin resistance,
and metabolic syndrome.
Dr. Bhadada has authored over 400 research articles, many of which focus on conditions
highly relevant to the Indian population, including diabetes-related bone loss, as well as
parathyroid, pituitary, and adrenal disorders. He has also been instrumental in developing
advanced online registries for osteoporosis, rare metabolic bone disorders, and primary
hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Additionally, Dr. Bhadada has pioneered novel therapies,
including intralesional zoledronate for fibrous dysplasia and growth hormone treatment for
fibrogenesis imperfecta ossificans, showcasing his commitment to translational research and
patient-centered innovation.
He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in leading journals and has contributed
to landmark textbooks, including co-authoring the chapter “Rickets and Osteomalacia” in
the 14th and 15 th edition of Williams Textbook of Endocrinology (2020 and 2025). His
innovative work is also reflected in two patents in metabolic bone disease diagnostics and
therapeutics. His extensive impact has earned him prestigious honors such as the
Mentorship Laureate Award at ENDO 2024 (USA), ECTS-Kyowa Kirin Maria Luisa
Bianchi Clinical Research Award at ECTS 2023 (France), the ESICON 2023
Presidential Oration, the Prof. Sam P Moses Oration Award at RSSDI 2023, and the
World-India Diabetes Foundation (WIDF) Outstanding Achievement Award 2022.
These accolades recognize both his scientific excellence and his ability to inspire and
mentor the next generation of physician-scientists.
Dr. Bhadada is a former president of the Endocrine Society of India and previously
served as Secretary of the Indian Society of Bone Mineral Research and the Punjab-
Chandigarh Chapter of RSSDI. He has also held roles as Joint Secretary of the World Non-
Communicable Disease Federation. He was the Organizing Secretary of several national
conferences, including ESICON, ISBMR, and World Osteoporosis Day. He is actively
involved in academic publishing, Editor-in-Chief for Diagnostic Protocols in Endocrinology,
serving as Associate Editor for the book Bone and Mineral Disorders (Jaypee Publishers),
and Guest Editor for Best Practice on PHPT.
Beyond academia, his commitment to community welfare is embodied in his founding of
ADITI (Association of Diabetes in Tricity), which for over 20 years has supported
underprivileged children with diabetes by providing education, insulin, glucometers, and
financial aid, and even helped to get simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplants. He has also
educated the public through radio programs, documentaries, and health camps targeting
osteoporosis and diabetes.
Dr. Bhadada’s career is defined by excellence, innovation, and service, making him one of
India’s most influential figures in endocrinology and bone health.
Some of his achievements are
- Published more than 160 publications in high impact factor journals
- Research Collaboration With
- National Institutions (IIT Ropar, CDRI Lucknow, AIIMS New Delhi, Panjab University & IMTECH, Chandigarh)
- International Institutions (Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, USA & Antwerep University Belzium)
- Recepient of M N Sen Oration award ( ICMR ,2013) & PN Shah & Subash Mukherjee Oration (Endocrine Society of India, 2010 &2016) & Prof. Survir Singh Visiting professorship ( Association of Physicians of India, 2011)
