Canadian musculoskeletal researchers

Bone: A solid foundation

Research on bone is helping to better understand the biology of bone, maintain healthy bones through diet and exercise, and prevent or treat bone loss in diseases such as osteoporosis.

• Dr. Heather McKay - University of British Columbia
  Dr. McKay is investigating the role that physical activity plays in preserving health and preventing chronic diseases. Find out about Dr. McKay’s research.
• Dr. Faleh Tamimi - McGill University
  Dr. Tamimi is investigating the potential of certain drugs used to treat Alzheimer's disease to reduce the risk of bone fractures. Read more about Dr. Tamimi’s research.
• Dr. Joy MacDermid - McMaster University
  Dr. MacDermid is focusd on enhancing the prevention, assessment, and management of musculoskeletal problems. Find more information about Dr. MacDermid’s work.

Muscle: Powering movement

Research on muscle is helping to better understand how muscles work, how they respond to exercise and how they can be regenerated following injury or disease.

• Dr. Stephen Brown – University of Guelph
  Dr. Brown is focused on understanding the mechanics and physiology of the lumbar spine and spine musculature. Find out more about Dr. Brown and his research.
• Dr. Dilson Rassier - McGill University
  Dr. Rassier’s research focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of muscle contraction and force generation. Find out more about Dr. Rassier's work.  
• Dr. Brian Timmons - McMaster University
  Dr. Timmons is investigating the relationship between physical activity and health in preschoolers. Find out more about his research.
  
  Review the new Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for the Early Years 0-4 that are based on his research findings.

Joints: Setting limbs in motion

Research on joints is helping to understand how to prevent or better treat joint conditions such as osteoarthritis and improve the function and durability of replacement joints.

• Dr. Matthew Teeter – Western University
  Dr. Teeter is examining the function and wear and tear of total hip and knee replacement joints. Dr. Teeter is involved in the CIHR funded Joint Motion Training Program.
• Dr. Roman Krawetz - University of Calgary
  Dr. Krawetz is studying whether stem cells can regenerate joints with osteoarthritis. See Dr. Krawetz talking about his research with stem cells.
• Dr. John Esdaile – Arthritis Research Centre of Canada
  Dr. Esdaile is the scientific director of the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada. He is studying the link between hip pain, physical activity, and osteoarthritis. See Dr. Esdaile explain his project.

Skin: Pulling it all together

Research on skin is helping to improve the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases and find new ways to replace or regenerate skin damaged by injury or disease.

• Dr. Youwen Zhou - University of British Columbia
  Dr. Zhou recently discovered a novel molecular marker of the malignant cells in skin lymphoma – a kind of deadly skin cancer that is often misdiagnosed as common skin diseases. Dr. Zhou’s other research is on finding a cure for melanoma, which can be caused by excessive exposure to the sun.
  
  Find out more about skin health and skin care at the Canadian Dermatological Association and Suntips.

• Dr. Jeff Biernaskie – University of Calgary
  Dr. Biernaskie is studying the potential for stem cells from hair follicles to replace the lower dermis in skin transplants. Find out more about Dr. Biernaskie’s webpage or see his research profile.

Rehabilitation: Recovering from injuries

Research on musculoskeletal rehabilitation is helping people recover from injuries and regain mobility.

• Dr. Alex Scott - University of British Columbia
  Dr. Scott is studying the effect of movement on tendon biology with the goal of developing strategies for treating tendon injuries and guiding rehabilitation.
• Dr. Debbie Feldman – Université de Montréal
  Dr. Feldman conducts health services research in musculoskeletal disease and arthritis, investigating access to care in rehabilitation and optimal ways of prioritizing care for patients. Read about Dr. Feldman and her work (in French only). See a video (in French only) on physiotherapy at Université de Montréal.