The Versus Arthritis Fellows Day

The McDonnell group attended the Versus Arthritis Fellows meeting with members of the ARR department at UCL, had a great time with really interesting talks and so exciting to see the next generation of talented rheumatologists and scientists coming through focussing on MSK disease. You definately leave these events with more ideas of how to leverage cutting edge approaches to help patient outcomes.

ARR Department at the VA Fellows Day 2025, L to R: Dr Junjie Peng, Dr George Robinson, Dr Beth Goulden, Prof. David Isenberg, Dr Venkat Reddy and Dr Thomas McDonnell.

It was especially inspiring to hear the patient talk (a highlight every year) highlighting the difficult diagnostic and therapeutic journey of patients with MSK diseases and again emphasising the need for new diagnostic tools and therapeutic stratification. Also a great session on patient engagement and how important it is not just to engage patients but really involve them in your research.

It was great to see some old friends from other institutes (ICH, QMUL) and make some new ones over dinner! An inspiring two days in Loughborough and already looking to the next!