President, at FIRMO Foundation, Italy.
Maria Luisa Brandi is a globally recognized physician-scientist and Full Professor of Endocrinology at the University of Florence. With over four decades dedicated to bone and mineral disorders, she has made transformative contributions in cellular and molecular endocrinology. Brandi’s pioneering work led to the development of over 10 permanent cell lines that have clarified hormone mechanisms and influenced clinical practices. She is founder and President of the F.I.R.M.O. Foundation and has chaired multiple international conferences on bone health and rare endocrine disorders. Her work bridges basic science and clinical application, especially in hereditary endocrine tumors and metabolic bone diseases. As a leader in academic, clinical, and policy-making spheres, she represents Italy in WHO expert panels and chairs international guideline committees. Her influence extends through education, clinical innovation, global collaborations, and more than 700 scientific publications, cementing her legacy as one of the most impactful scientists in endocrinology. 🌍📚
Professional Profile
Scopus
ORCID
🎓 Education
Maria Luisa Brandi’s academic journey is steeped in excellence and international experience. She began her classical studies at the Classical Lyceum in Orvieto, Italy, graduating in 1972. She earned her MD with First Class Honors from the University of Florence in 1977 and specialized in Endocrinology in 1980. Her quest for molecular insight led her to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the U.S., where she trained between 1984–1988 in cell biology and metabolic diseases. Continuing her scholarly advancement, she obtained her Ph.D. in Cell Biology from the University of Rome in 1988. This diverse and interdisciplinary education laid the groundwork for her groundbreaking work in bone metabolism, endocrine tumors, and personalized medicine. Her training at NIH was especially critical in integrating laboratory research with patient-centered clinical care, setting the stage for a highly translational scientific career. 🎓🔬📖
💼 Experience
Brandi has held numerous prestigious roles, shaping endocrinology globally. She served as Full Professor of Endocrinology at the University of Florence (1999–2020) and currently holds professorial posts at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Tor Vergata University, and University of Florence (2023–present). As Director of the Complex Clinical Unit on Bone and Mineral Disorders and Regional Referral Center for Hereditary Endocrine Tumors (1990–2020), she provided elite patient care and research leadership. She has served as Scientific Director of major Italian associations (APPI, API, AIFOSF), and as Editor-in-Chief of Clinical Cases in Mineral and Bone Metabolism. Internationally, she is a Board Member at the IOF, Chair of World MEN Conferences, and visiting professor at McMaster University. She also led the Capture the Fracture program at IOF. Her career spans academic, policy, clinical, and pharmaceutical sectors, uniquely positioning her as a global leader in metabolic bone disease care and research. 🏥🌐👩⚕️
🔬 Research Interests
Prof. Brandi’s research spans molecular endocrinology, bone metabolism, rare endocrine tumors, and translational medicine. Her lab developed key genetic and cell models to decode hormone signaling and endocrine neoplasia. She is a trailblazer in parathyroid disorders, osteoporosis, phosphate wasting diseases, and hereditary endocrine syndromes like MEN1. She developed early genetic testing frameworks now standard in MEN1 clinical diagnosis and is actively involved in international registries and biobanks. Brandi’s translational focus bridges cell biology and patient care, emphasizing personalized therapies. She also leads research on vertebral fragility, glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, and hypophosphatasia. Her work has helped draft Italian and international clinical guidelines for managing endocrine bone disorders. Her integrated approach—bench-to-bedside—is reflected in over 700 scientific outputs, many of which serve as foundational references in endocrinology today. Her recent focus on rare diseases underscores her lifelong mission to provide visibility and solutions for underrepresented patient populations. 🧪🦴🧠
🏆 Awards
Maria Luisa Brandi has received over 25 prestigious awards for her scientific leadership. Most notably, she won the IOF Olof Johnell Science Award (2025), the European Hormone Medal (2023) from ESE, and the Boy Frame Award (2021) for clinical excellence. Locally, she was honored with the Fiorino d’Oro (2023) and Premio “Bel San Giovanni” from Florence for her health advocacy. Internationally, she earned the Pierre Delmas Prize (2013) and Helena Rubinstein “Women in Science” Award (1998). Her enduring influence is evident as she was listed as the 9th most cited author globally in osteoporosis research in 2019. From the San Camillo Forlanini Award (2025) to the Top Italian Scientist recognition, these accolades mark decades of cross-disciplinary excellence in research, education, and clinical care. Brandi’s awards reflect her tireless commitment to advancing endocrine health through science and service. 🏅🎖️🏛️
📚 Top Noted Publications
Maria Luisa Brandi has authored over 700 scientific articles, significantly advancing our understanding of endocrine diseases. Notable works include:
📘 Brandi et al. (2022).
Title: The management of primary hyperparathyroidism
Journal: The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology
DOI / Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(22)00050-6
Cited by: 📑 145 articles
Summary: This comprehensive review outlines the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up strategies for primary hyperparathyroidism, integrating clinical and surgical approaches with genetic insights.
📘 Brandi et al. (2020).
Title: Hypoparathyroidism: a consensus conference report
Journal: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
DOI / Link: https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgaa139
Cited by: 📑 120 articles
Summary: A multidisciplinary report that consolidates current evidence and expert consensus on the management of hypoparathyroidism, including long-term treatment outcomes and quality of life.
📘 Brandi et al. (2019).
Title: Osteoporosis in endocrine disorders
Journal: Nature Reviews Endocrinology
DOI / Link: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41574-019-0195-2
Cited by: 📑 210 articles
Summary: This influential paper discusses the mechanisms and treatment approaches for osteoporosis related to various endocrine diseases, offering guidelines for risk assessment and therapy optimization.
📘 Brandi et al. (2017).
Title: Diagnosis and management of MEN1 syndrome
Journal: Endocrine-Related Cancer
DOI / Link: https://doi.org/10.1530/ERC-17-0180
Cited by: 📑 95 articles
Summary: A practical and molecular guide on diagnosing and managing Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), emphasizing surveillance protocols and genetic counseling.
📘 Brandi et al. (2015).
Title: Genetic basis of bone fragility
Journal: Journal of Bone and Mineral Research
DOI / Link: https://doi.org/10.1002/jbmr.2511
Cited by: 📑 165 articles
Summary: This foundational article highlights the genetic mutations contributing to bone fragility, spanning monogenic disorders to polygenic risk factors, crucial for precision medicine in bone health.
Conclusion
Prof. Maria Luisa Brandi is highly suitable for the Best Research Article Award. Her pioneering work in molecular endocrinology and rare bone diseases has transformed patient diagnosis and management worldwide. Her ability to translate lab-based discoveries into global clinical standards, coupled with her article citation metrics and global scientific leadership, underscore her eligibility.