Arthritis Research Canada Adds New Experts to Team to Meet Growing Needs of People in Canada with Arthritis

May 8, 2025 (Vancouver) – Arthritis Research Canada/Arthrite-recherche Canada is excited to welcome Dr. Carrie Ye and Dr. Codie Primeau to its research team, leading scientists in the areas of bone health and chronic pain in sex and gender diverse communities.

Dr. Ye is a rheumatologist at the University of Alberta with a Master of Public Health degree from Harvard. Her clinical and research work focuses on osteoporosis and fracture risk, especially in people with cancer. She established the Multidisciplinary Bone Health Clinic at the University of Alberta Hospital, which has evolved into the Northern Alberta Osteoporosis Program. It’s a unique clinic that has grown to a team of five physician specialists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, pharmacists, and administrative staff in less than a decade.

“Over two million Canadians live with osteoporosis, a serious bone disease that increases a person’s risk of life-threatening fractures,” Dr. Ye said. “I look forward to joining the Arthritis Research Canada team to advance our understanding of bone health and to find answers to prevent fractures and their debilitating impact on people’s lives.”

Dr. Primeau is a physiotherapist who brings a strong commitment to inclusive, patient-driven research. He completed his post-doctoral fellowship at Arthritis Research Canada and is now an Assistant Professor at Western University. His research focuses on improving access to care, the value of care, and care experiences in underserved communities, particularly 2s/LGBTQQIA+ communities, which are underrepresented in research and whose members can face barriers when accessing healthcare.

“By centering our work around the voices of gender and sexually diverse communities, we can ensure future research studies reflect the voices and needs of those communities,” Dr. Primeau said. “I’m excited to return to Arthritis Research Canada and build on the work I started during my post-doctoral studies to promote more inclusive research and clinical practices.”

“We are incredibly fortunate to have Drs. Ye and Primeau join our research team,” said Dr. Diane Lacaille, Scientific Director at Arthritis Research Canada. “They bring fresh perspectives and a real dedication to inclusive patient-centred research to have a meaningful impact on people’s lives. Their innovative work aligns with our mission to transform people’s lives through research and engagement.”

Dr. Ye joins Arthritis Research Canada as a research scientist, and Dr. Primeau is an affiliate scientist, both becoming part of a multidisciplinary team of experts working together from coast to coast. Their work will help find answers for 6 million+ Canadians living with different types of arthritis.

To learn about Arthritis Research Canada’s current research, click here.

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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’s scientific director, Dr. Diane Lacaille, leads 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 now conducting arthritis research from coast to coast with centres in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, and Nova Scotia and scientists affiliated with ten major Canadian universities: University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Calgary, University of Alberta, Western University, Université Laval, McGill University, Université de Montréal, Université de Sherbrooke and Dalhousie University. Arthritis Research Canada is leading research aimed at preventing arthritis, facilitating early diagnosis, finding new and better treatments, and improving quality of life.

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

Heather Caulder

Senior Officer, Marketing and Communications
Arthritis Research Canada
604-207-4010
hcaulder@arthritisresearch.ca