Arthritis Research Canada Welcomes New Scientist to Its Research Team
February 3, 2025 (Vancouver) – Arthritis Research Canada/Arthrite-recherche Canada and its Board of Directors are pleased to welcome Dr. Boyang Zheng to the research team as a Clinician Investigator. Dr. Zheng completed his rheumatology training and subsequent Master’s degree in Epidemiology at McGill University and a fellowship in interstitial lung disease at the University of British Columbia. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Division of Rheumatology at the University of British Columbia, affiliated with St. Paul’s Hospital.
His research interests and clinical focus are on systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease-related interstitial lung disease (SARD ILD), which is lung scarring as a complication of inflammation in the lungs that can occur in patients with any rheumatic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, or inflammatory myositis.
Dr. Zheng collaborates with colleagues across Canada as part of the Canadian Registry for Pulmonary Fibrosis on research focusing on understanding what predicts interstitial lung disease outcomes in patients with rheumatic diseases. He is currently working to set up a clinic dedicated to SARD-ILD care in Vancouver that will include clinicians with relevant expertise for patients across British Columbia. Along with providing highly specialized care, this clinic will collect clinical information and biomarker data to answer critical clinical questions and inform future care. It will also facilitate clinical trials testing new medications for this disease.
“I am excited to join Arthritis Research Canada’s scientific team,” said Zheng. “Their multidisciplinary approach to patient care and research fits well with how I approach my practice. Further collaboration with researchers across Canada can only enhance care and improve health outcomes for people living with autoimmune rheumatic diseases.”
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Zheng join Arthritis Research Canada’s team of experts,” said Dr. Diane Lacaille, Arthritis Research Canada’s Scientific Director. “His work on lung complications of systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases addresses a critical area of research. There is still so much more we need to learn and understand to improve treatments and long-term outcomes of this rare but serious complication of inflammation. We look forward to working with him.”
As the largest clinical arthritis research institution in North America, Arthritis Research Canada’s team of world-class scientists is uniquely positioned to answer the most pressing issues for people living with arthritis. This breadth of expertise and the critical role of patient partners in our research result in real-world solutions to help people live well despite arthritis.
To learn more about Arthritis Research Canada’s current research, click here.
