OARSI Weekly Briefing - December 10, 2021 | Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI)

Welcome to the OARSI Weekly Briefing - the single resource you need to stay up to date with OARSI & World Congress news, membership announcements, and happenings within the OARSI & OA community.

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December Issue of Osteoarthritis and Cartilage

The full issue of OARSI's journal, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, is available online TODAY.
Check it out here.

Infographic for Policy Makers Competition

Submission Deadline December 31, 2021

OARSI is collaborating with the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance (OAAA) to develop an infographic for Policy Makers. Policy Makers play a critical, influential role in crafting and enacting rules, laws, regulations, delivering guidance documents, and directing public investment in research that positively affects the lives of people with OA. The purpose of the infographic should be to convince Policy Makers that investments in OA research improve quality of life and increase productivity. This infographic will complement our previous infographic competition winner that targeted funders, researchers, patients, and health professionals. The winning Infographic will be showcased on the OARSI Website, used in OARSI social media, and may be printed and distributed. The winner(s) will receive complimentary World Congress registration. The submission deadline is December 31, 2021. All infographic submissions should be sent to info@oarsi.org. More information here.

OARSI Live is Back! Wednesday, December 15 at 9:00 am ET

By popular demand, the OARSI Live webinar series returns this month. The OARSI Engagement Committee has created an exciting program of monthly presentations, including keynote speakers, journal clubs, and OARSI Discussion Group forums. OARSI Live webinars will typically be scheduled on the third Wednesday of each month and are offered free for OARSI members. Session recordings will be made available on the OARSI website.

The next OARSI Live will be held on Wednesday, December 15 at 9:00 am ET. Tonia Vincent, MD, PhD, will present The importance and implications of mechanoflammation in the pathogenesis of OA. Dr. Vincent is a Consultant Rheumatologist and Professor of Musculoskeletal Biology at the University of Oxford, where she directs the Centre for OA Pathogenesis.

To register and for more information, please click HERE.

Member Spotlight: Flavia Cicuttini

This week's OARSI Member Spotlight is Board of Directors Member at Large, Flavia Cicuttini.

How long have you been a member of OARSI and why did you join?

I have been a member of OARSI for more than 25 years. I joined because it is the premier international organization working in the area of osteoarthritis. To be able to engage with other researchers and healthcare workers focused on OA is a wonderful way to tackle this challenging disease.

What do you enjoy most about OARSI?

The collegiate atmosphere. Passion, dedication, and resilience. OA is a major challenge! Also the ability to have fun.

Tell us a little bit about your research?

I have worked in the area focused on understanding the pathogenesis of knee using MRI to examine disease from preclinical through to established OA. This has been an interesting area because it has meant undoing many of the old beliefs about OA: that it is due to ‘wear and tear’ of joints, that it is not inflammatory, and that obesity works through loading of joints. Our team has followed up these findings with clinical trials testing new treatments for OA.

What are you most excited about for OARSI in 2022?

The pandemic has been a major disrupter across all aspects of our lives and for organizations like OARSI. However, like all disrupters, opportunities emerge. I am excited to see a reinvigorated OARSI emerge with even more people engaged across the world. There is still a lot of work to be done in OA!

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I am a very keen gardener and spend a lot of time with family and friends enjoying a lovely glass of prosecco.