Susanne Benseler
Research Scientist, Pediatric Rheumatology, MD, PhD
Appointments
- Director, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute
- Professor, Dept. of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary
- Husky Energy Chair in Child and Maternal Health
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation Chair in Pediatric Research
Research Interests
- Childhood CNS vasculitis and inflammatory brain diseases
- Kawasaki disease
- Outcome research in paediatric SLE
Dr. Susanne (Susa) Benseler is a Pediatric Rheumatologist within the Department of Pediatrics at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine, as well as a clinical epidemiologist, and a clinician investigator.
Susa obtained her M.D from the University of Freiburg and Berlin, and obtained her PhDs in Immunology and Pediatrics from the University of Innsbruck and Freiburg. From there she went on to be a fellow in pediatric rheumatology at the University of Toronto and obtained her Masters in Clinical Epidemiology.
Dr. Susa Benseler and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Rheumatology team have partnered with other interdisciplinary teams from Canada and the Netherlands for precision health in childhood arthritis and have created the Understanding Childhood Arthritis Network (UCAN). The UCAN study aims to develop biomarker profiles to enable a rapid diagnosis and selection of therapies to achieve the best outcomes for children living with arthritis. The UCAN cohort was awarded $8-million by the Canadian Arthritis Institutes of Health Research and a Dutch partner organization. Susa is also currently, heading a large interdisciplinary team that will dedicates research and resources to the implementation of genomic medicine into the care for children with arthritis. The cohort was recently awarded $10-million in funding from Genome Canada. Along with the research, cohorts, and working groups that Dr. Susa Benseler is part of, she also serves as the Deputy Head of Research and Section Chief of Rheumatology for the Department of Pediatrics, at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. She is a member of ACHRI and the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health. She is the Chair of the Canadian Pediatric Rheumatology Investigator (CAPRI) network and contributes to the Canadian Rheumatology Association, the international Understanding Childhood Arthritis Network (UCAN), and the North American Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA). Dr. Benseler has numerous published peer-reviewed articles on childhood inflammatory brain diseases, vasculitis and other rheumatic diseases.Learn more
Recent News Coverage

People with Autoimmune Arthritis at Greater Risk of Severe COVID
Arthritis Research Canada researchers find that people with autoimmune rheumatic diseases and transplant recipients face a heightened risk of complications from COVID-19.

Questioning the Impact of Wearable Tech on People with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Researchers investigate the impact of using wearable tech (like Fitbits) in research on participants’ feelings of self-worth and the relationship with their health care provider.

Surgery Not the Only Option for People with Knee Osteoarthritis
Arthritis Research Canada researchers examined the actual use of non-surgical treatments and services like education, exercise, weight management, and pain medications by people with knee osteoarthritis.

Online Decision Aid Helps Patients Weigh Risks and Benefits of Surgery vs. Other Treatments
A research team led by Arthritis Research Canada scientists has developed an online tool, called a decision aid, that provides individualized information on total knee replacement surgery and non-surgical treatment options to people with knee osteoarthritis.

Alberta in Need of More Resources for Rural Residents with Osteoarthritis
Alberta is in need of more resources to improve access to healthcare for rural residents with osteoarthritis.

Researchers Point to Lifestyle Changes to Help Prevent Lupus
Study finds healthy lifestyle behaviours can help to prevent lupus for those who may be genetically predisposed, and emphasizes the importance of proper screening for this chronic disease.

New Research Ties Rare Inflammatory Disease to Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Study finds people with a rare inflammatory disease, known as granulomatosis with polyangiitis, have an increased risk of serious, life-threatening blood clots.

Study Finds Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Better Off with Ongoing Rheumatology Care
Study finds room for improvement when it comes to keeping rheumatoid arthritis patients under the care of a rheumatologist long term.

BC Government Announces $3 Million for Arthritis Research at ARThritis Soirée
Arthritis Research Canada reaches $3,375,000+ at annual ARThritis Soirée following big funding announcement by Health Minister Adrian Dix.

More Support Needed for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Looking to Start Families
New study highlights need for more support for female patients with rheumatoid arthritis and their partners when it comes to family planning and reproductive decisions.