Overview
The Rheumatology Research Unit has a long history and the University was the first to establish a dedicated research programme to study rheumatic disease in New Zealand.
The Rheumatology Research Unit has an active research agenda covering the following major themes:
- Spondyloarthritis
- Scleroderma
- Fatigue and rheumatic disease
- Genetics of rheumatic diseases
- The impact of rheumatic disease on quality of life
- The evaluation of complimentary therapies for rheumatic disease
The SAGE Study, a major multi-centre study investigating genetic and environmental factors in the aetiology of spondyloarthritis is coordinated through the Unit.
The Unit has received funding from the HRC for smoking cessation interventions in rheumatoid arthritis.
The Unit supervises a number of postgraduate students.
Collaborations
The Rheumatology Research Unit has a collaborative approach to research with ongoing research associations in New Zealand and overseas, including:
- Professor David Baxter School of Physiotherapy
- Dr Cathy Chapple School of Physiotherapy
- Associate professor Gareth Treharne Department of Psychology
- Associate professor Rebecca Grainger Wellington School of Medicine
- Associate professor Andrew Harrison Wellington School of Medicine
- Professor Lisa Stamp Chrsitchurch School of Medicine
Staff at the Rheumatology Research Unit
Academic staff
- Associate Professor Simon Stebbings Associate Professor
- Dr Katey Jenks Senior lecturer
Clinical staff
- Dr Jo Dockerty Clinical Senior Lecturer
- Dr Sarah Jordan Clinical Senior Lecturer
