Arthritis Research Canada Welcomes Three New Scientists

Vancouver (February 2, 2026) – Arthritis Research Canada recently welcomed Dr. Jean-Sébastien Roy, Dr. Maziar Badii, and Dr. Natalie McCormick to the organization’s growing research team. Each of them brings unique expertise and a shared commitment to improving the lives of people living with arthritis.

Dr. Jean-Sébastien Roy joins Arthritis Research Canada as a research scientist. He is a Professor at the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at Université Laval, with more than 25 years of experience as a physiotherapist and researcher. Dr. Roy’s work focuses on understanding what causes musculoskeletal pain to become chronic and to lead to loss of physical function, and on developing and testing innovative rehabilitation strategies for people with musculoskeletal and rheumatic conditions.

Dr. Maziar Badii joins the organization as a clinician investigator. He is a rheumatologist and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Division of Rheumatology at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Badii’s clinical and research interests include innovative treatments for osteoarthritis, back pain, and other degenerative conditions.  He collaborates with interventional radiology to study novel procedures and technologies in rheumatology to improve treatments for people with arthritis.

Joining as an affiliate scientist is junior faculty member  Dr. Natalie McCormick, an Instructor at Harvard Medical School, and Investigator in the Rheumatology and Allergy Clinical Epidemiology Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Her research focuses on using ‘multi-omic’ data (such as genetics, genomics, biomarkers, gut microbiome) from large groups of people who were followed over time to understand what factors contribute to the risk of developing gout, and of gout flares once people have gout.

“We are excited to welcome Drs. Roy, Badii, and McCormick to our research team,” said Dr. Diane Lacaille, Scientific Director at Arthritis Research Canada. “They bring new expertise to our team, and their innovative work aligns with our mission to transform the lives of people living with arthritis through research and engagement.”

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ABOUT ARTHRITIS RESEARCH CANADA:

Arthritis Research Canada is the largest clinical arthritis research institution in North America. Our mission is to transform the lives of people impacted by arthritis through patient-centred research and engagement. Arthritis Research Canada is home to a team of over 100 researchers, trainees and staff whose life-changing research is creating a future where people with arthritis have the knowledge and tools to triumph over pain and disability. Arthritis Research Canada is conducting research from coast to coast with centres in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia and scientists affiliated with 10 major Canadian universities.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Bernice Rahman
Marketing and Communications Officer
Arthritis Research Canada
brahman@arthritisresearch.ca