The 2025 Researcher Spotlight Webinar Series
BRINGING BREAKTHROUGHS TO YOU
Discover how the latest arthritis and autoimmune research could change lives, directly from the scientists leading the way.
The ANRF Researcher Spotlight Webinar Series is a free, virtual event series that brings leading scientists and patients together in conversation. Each fall, we feature topics that matter most to our community, from new discoveries to questions patients ask every day.
Meet the scientists working on tomorrow’s treatments — and ask your questions live.
Hear about research before it reaches the headlines.
See how discoveries connect to your daily life with arthritis or autoimmune disease.
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, yet many patients still wonder why it starts and what can slow it down. Join researchers Dr. Alexander Knights and Dr. Shouan Zhu as they share how joint tissues communicate, why those signals can break down, and what new discoveries could mean for protecting cartilage and joint health.
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
What if viral infections could spark autoimmune disease? Dr. Tarin Bigley reveals how viral infections may trigger the disease, while Dr. Vanessa Sue Wacleche shows how overactive immune cells damage healthy organs. Together, their work uncovers why lupus begins—and how early detection and targeted treatments could change the future.
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Conditions like axial spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis often overlap with other autoimmune diseases, making diagnosis and treatment complex. Dr. Ruth Napier and Dr. Jimin Tan will share how immune pathways and machine learning are revealing hidden links — and what patients should know about these connections.
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Sjögren’s is more than just dry eyes and mouth — it can affect nerves, organs, and often appears alongside lupus or RA. Hear from Dr. Scott Lieberman, Dr. Mohammad Haj Dezfulian, and Dr. Abigail Koppes as they explore how immune attacks begin, why men and women may experience disease differently, and how engineering could help repair autoimmune damage.
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
What fuels inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis — and how could science help calm it? In this webinar, Dr. Sanja Arandjelovic and Dr. Deborah Winter share how failures in clearing dying cells and changes in immune cell gene activity may drive RA. Discover how these insights could pave the way for new, more targeted treatments.
