Osteoarthritis Research

The Osteoarthritis Research Team is a large and highly collaborative team which focuses on all aspects of clinical and translational research in osteoarthritis.

We work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including the Back Pain Research Team and are committed to designing and testing innovative, accessible, technology-based interventions that could accelerate recovery and decrease the burden of musculoskeletal pain globally.

Our research focuses on numerous aspects of osteoarthritis including the epidemiology of osteoarthritis, imaging in osteoarthritis, clinical trials, novel therapies in disease management and health services research for chronic disease management.

Our team is working to:

  • Investigate the epidemiology of osteoarthritis;
  • Improve the management of osteoarthritis by evaluating common and novel treatments;
  • Improve the quality of life for people with osteoarthritis by promoting and providing evidence-based resources and treatments.

Professor David Hunter

Florance and Cope Chair of Rheumatology
Professor of Medicine, University of Sydney

Dr Jocelyn Bowden

Research Fellow

Dr Jillian Eyles

Research Fellow

Dr Leticia Deveza

Research Fellow

Dr Sarah Kobayashi

Research Fellow

Vicky Duong - Research Officer/PhD Student

Karen Arruda-Schuck - Clinical Trials Coordinator

Tatyana Fedorova - Research Coordinator

Lon Guglielmino - Research Admininstration Officer 

Dr Sarah Robbins - Project Manager

Sonika Virk - Clinical Trials Coordinator

Dr Xiaoqian Liu - Clinical Research Fellow

Simone (Mimi) Dennis - Clinical Trial Assistant 

Ka Martina - PhD Student

Naomi Simick Behera - PhD Student

Bimbi Gray - PhD Student

Venkatesha Venkatesha – Biostatistician

Abdolhay Farivar - Visiting Researcher

Di Zhang - Visiting Research Student

Justin Wong - MD Research Student

Bailey Walker - Research Assistant

Naomi Bloul - Clinical Trials Officer

Arashi Shahid - Visiting Student

The aim of the osteoarthritis department is to advance the understanding of the musculoskeletal system. The main focus of our research includes clinical and translational research in osteoarthritis.

  • Investigating biomarkers in OA
  • Knee force project - investigating occupations with excessive knee joint force
  • PATHway - participatory health through behavioural engagement and disruptive digital technology following total knee replacement
  • PARTNER - optimising primary care management of knee osteoarthritis
  • Excellence study – The safety of a new injectable investigational medication and how effective it may be in treating the pain, inflammation and mobility symptoms of osteoarthritis in the knee
  • SCUlpTOR study – comparing the effectiveness of stem cell injections versus placebo for those with knee osteoarthritis

Research questions the value of injectable medications for osteoarthritis

Research questions the value of injectable medications for osteoarthritis

Our researchers at the Kolling Institute are encouraging those with osteoarthritis to rely on treatm..... Read more

Back pain cases to rise sharply

Back pain cases to rise sharply

A new study by researchers at the Kolling Institute estimates more than 800 million people will be l..... Read more

Researchers call for a greater focus on the physical impact of whiplash injuries

Researchers call for a greater focus on the physical impact of whiplash injuries

Researchers from the Kolling Institute have led an international study investigating why some people..... Read more