Along with the public acknowledgment, Dr. Whyte received a plaque and a $2,000 honorarium in the presence of his colleagues at the ASBMR conference in Honolulu.

"This award is an honor for me because it recognizes the many outstanding contributions that our staff at the Research Center has made in furthering knowledge about metabolic bone diseases," said Dr. Whyte."

Dr. Whyte earned his M.D. degree from the Downstate College of Medicine, State University of New York. In addition to his work with the research center at Shriners Hospital, he is professor of medicine, pediatrics and genetics at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

The  ASBMR was established to bring together clinical and experimental scientists involved in the study of bone and mineral metabolism. Through its annual scientific meetings, an official journal (Journal of Bone and Mineral Research), advocacy and interaction with government agencies and related societies, ASBMR continually encourages and promotes this expanding field.

The Center for Metabolic Bone Disease and Molecular Research founded in 1983 investigates, treats, and diagnoses more than 100 rare bone diseases such as genetic forms of rickets, including hypophosphatasia and X-linked hypophosphatemia. Along with the research on rickets, the unit also studies brittle bone diseases including osteogenesis imperfecta as well as conditions causing dense bones, such as osteopetrosis.