San Francisco (June 10, 2026) — The UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is proud to share that Jeffrey Lotz, PhD, has begun his term as the President of the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine (ISSLS) at the ISSLS 52nd annual meeting, which was held from May 11-15, 2026, in Cape Town, South Africa. His term will conclude at the 2027 annual meeting, scheduled to be held in Montréal, Quebec. The ISSLS meeting brings together researchers, clinicians, and scientists from across the globe to advance the understanding and treatment of lumbar spine disorders, which affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
In his presidential address, Dr. Lotz outlined five strategic initiatives that will shape the Society's work during his term: AI and knowledge integration; global reach and equity; translational acceleration; next-generation researchers; and industry partnerships. The initiatives are designed to align the ISSLS’s committees behind a shared agenda rather than operating in parallel—a shift, Dr. Lotz has noted, from a Society that is "assembled" to one that is "aligned."
A central theme of Lotz's presidency is investing in the next generation of spine researchers. He has championed what he calls “intergenerational compact,” a formal commitment to pairing the wisdom of senior ISSLS members with the energy and ideas of early-career researchers. As part of this effort, the ISSLS will launch a structured Young Investigator Mentorship program and will invite senior members to personally fund travel grants for emerging scientists.
"Senior members are most valuable to the field when their wisdom is actively coupled to junior energy," Dr. Lotz said. "Our Society's job is to make that exchange routine, structural, and visible."
"Jeff Lotz has contributed so much to the advancement of science of spine care as well as to ISSLS’s progress, it is only fitting that he should lead as president this next year,” said Dr. Serena Hu, ISSLS member and former colleague at UCSF. “Jeff has inspired a generation of spine researchers and spine surgeons, with his modest and generous demeanor, I know that this year will set a new standard growth and mentoring with his proposed “Intergenerational Compact” and his plans for ISSLS’s future."
Founded in 1974, ISSLS is an international scientific society with members from more than 30 countries, representing disciplines ranging from basic science and biomechanics to clinical medicine and surgery.
