Earlier this month, Dr Andie de Villiers (SU Applied Mathematics), Dr Rudolph Venter (SU Institute for Biomedical Engineering), and Prof Martin Venter (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering) had the privilege of hosting the first BONES Workshop, an event designed for researchers, postgraduate students, and prospective postgraduates with an interest in the growth and remodelling of bones and other complex materials. The workshop covered a wide range of applications, including clinical practice, engineering, and computational modelling.

The workshop featured four guest lectures from leading experts in the field:

• Dr. Rudolph Venter (Stellenbosch Orthopaedics and Institute for Biomedical Engineering)
• Prof. Areti Papastavrou (Ohm University)
• Prof. Andrew McBride (University of Glasgow)
• Dr. Trevor Cloete (University of Cape Town)
• Prof. Paul Steinmann (University of Erlangen)

The event attracted nearly 30 participants from across South Africa, creating a vibrant space for knowledge exchange and collaboration. Attendees engaged in discussions on cutting-edge research and practical applications, reinforcing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in advancing our understanding of bone mechanics and material science.

The BONES Workshop was a fantastic opportunity to connect, learn, and inspire future research directions. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to foster collaboration in this exciting field.