Graham Russell’s fundamental discoveries on calcium and bone metabolism ushered in the bisphosphonates — drugs now used worldwide to protect bones in age-related diseases such as osteoporosis, and also in Paget’s disease, myeloma and bone cancers. He has since elucidated the action of these drugs, and used his insights to design new uses for these and other agents.

Graham’s work has clarified the biochemical pathways by which calcification is regulated, and how bones are continually broken down and reconstructed during life. By mimicking naturally occurring molecules, bisphosphonates intervene in these process and prevent diseased bone from being lost faster than it can be replaced.

Honorary President of the Paget’s Association, Graham has held many other positions in charitable and scientific organisations. He was the first British recipient of two senior awards from the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research — their major scientific award, the William F. Neuman Award in 2000, and the Gideon A. Rodan Excellence in Mentorship Award in 2014 for the support he has given to young investigators in the field.