Two researchers from the Institute of Inflammation and Ageing at the University of Birmingham, both affiliated with Professor Adam Croft’s research group and the TRICIA consortium, have been recognised with prestigious Emerging Investigator Excellence Awards by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).
Dr Chris Mahony and Dr Sam Kemble received these competitive awards for their outstanding contributions to rheumatology research. The Emerging Investigator Excellence Awards acknowledge exceptional abstracts presented by early career researchers, with only one award granted per abstract category.
Dr Chris Mahony: Mapping the Inflamed Synovium in Childhood Arthritis
Dr Chris Mahony, a Postdoctoral Researcher, was recognised in the Paediatric Rheumatology – Basic Science category for his groundbreaking work on juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). His research, titled:
🧬 “Cellular Deconstruction of Stromal and Myeloid Cell Compartments in the Inflamed Synovium of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis”,
has led to the creation of the first-ever atlas of the inflamed synovium in children with JIA. This landmark studyprovides new insights into the cellular mechanisms driving inflammation in JIA, paving the way for more effective, targeted treatments for children affected by the disease.
Dr Mahony’s research was made possible through funding from Versus Arthritis, the Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research, and the Medical Research Council (MRC).
Dr Sam Kemble: Engineering T Cells to Target Fibroblasts in Inflammatory Disease
Dr Sam Kemble, a Research Fellow, was recognised in the T Cell Biology & Targets in Autoimmune & Inflammatory Disease category for his innovative work on the role of fibroblasts in chronic inflammation. His research, titled:
🧬 “Targeting Fibroblasts in Inflammatory Disease using Engineered T Cells”,
focuses on how tissue-resident fibroblasts contribute to persistent inflammation in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and primary Sjögren’s syndrome (PSS). His team has identified pathogenic fibroblasts in multiple inflammatory conditions and is currently investigating the use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells as a novel immunotherapy to specifically target and eliminate these disease-driving cells. This research could lead to a major breakthrough in fibroblast-targeted therapies for inflammatory diseases.
Celebrating Excellence at ACR Convergence 2023
The awards were presented at the ACR Convergence 2023, held at the San Diego Convention Centre, California, from 10–15 November 2023. This flagship annual meeting brings together leading scientists, clinicians, and health professionals from around the world to discuss the latest advancements in arthritis, rheumatic, and musculoskeletal disease research.
Dr Mahony and Dr Kemble’s remarkable achievements reflect the strength of UK-based research in inflammatory diseases and reinforce the University of Birmingham’s role as a leader in rheumatology research. Their work continues to push the boundaries of understanding how inflammation develops and persists, ultimately driving new and more effective treatments for patients.
