Focused teams, breakthrough results.

A Métis rheumatologist and Canada Research Chair who examines rheumatic disease burden in Indigenous populations and co-develops health services interventions to bridge care gaps. Provides direct rheumatology care to First Nations communities and leads initiatives for culturally safe arthritis care. Principal investigator of the Alberta Indigenous Mentorship in Health Innovation (AIM-HI) Network, funded by CIHR, Founder of The SPECTRA Collaboration. 

Current studies and research initiatives are maintained and regularly updated on Dr. Barnabe's University of Calgary profile.

Focuses on measuring and improving the quality of care provided to patients with inflammatory arthritis. Has led the development of national quality measures to monitor care delivery and identify areas for health system improvement, and contributed to novel models of care delivery. . Co-investigator in Rheum4U registry and leads research on patient-initiated follow-up care models.

 Current Research Projects:

• Connect Care in Rheumatology Exploring how Alberta's provincial electronic health record system (Connect Care) and patient portal (MyAHS Connect) can improve care for patients with rheumatic diseases. The study focuses on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), social risk factors, and disease activity scores to enhance monitoring and support patient-centred decision-making through interviews, focus groups, and clinic observations.
• Appointments By Choice: Patient-Initiated Follow-Up for Rheumatoid Arthritis Piloting a new follow-up care model where patients with stable RA and their providers decide together when follow-up is needed, rather than routine scheduled visits. Includes access to a pharmacist-led flare clinic for urgent concerns, aiming to reduce wait times and give patients more control over their care.
• Optimizing Rheumatology Triage: A Learning Health System Approach Working to improve how new rheumatology referrals are triaged in Alberta, ensuring patients with inflammatory or autoimmune conditions are seen promptly. The study examines current triage processes and co-designs a new patient-reported triage tool to support earlier diagnosis and faster access to care.

• Setting Physical Activity Support Priorities for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Just One Move Website Developed the research-informed website justonemove.ca to support people with RA in becoming physically active. The site offers practical tools, movement tips, and tailored resources to help manage RA-related barriers like pain and fatigue, as part of a larger initiative focused on digital behaviour change tools.

  Contact: barberlab@ucalgary.ca | 403-210-6639

Conducts research into novel antibodies in SLE, lipidomic biomarker in SLE and rheumatoid arthritis development projects, and serological and biomarker studies using advanced diagnostic platforms.

All current studies and research activities are kept up-to-date on Dr. Choi's research website: https://www.ai-dx.ca.

Co-leads lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome research as part of the internationally recognized Lupus Centre of Excellence. Principal investigator of STARLET (Southern Alberta Registry for Lupus Erythematosus) and leads multiple observational studies and clinical trials focused on SLE epidemiology and outcomes.

Investigates patient preferences and develops evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chairs the Canadian Rheumatology Association Guidelines Committee and leads the update of CRA rheumatoid arthritis treatment recommendations - a world-first in integrating patient preferences into treatment guidelines. Co-investigator in Rheum4U registry and leads pragmatic clinical trials in rheumatoid arthritis.

Investigates inflammatory muscle diseases and their management. Co-leads the Southern Alberta Registry for Systemic Sclerosis and Myositis, monitoring health outcomes using state-of-the-art cellular biology techniques.

Current Division Chief leading research into systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) mechanisms, outcomes, and treatments. . Principal investigator of the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group, a multi-centre observational cohort and biorepository study.

Current Research Projects:

• Canadian Scleroderma Research Group Principal investigator of this longitudinal, multi-centre observational cohort and biorepository study aimed at identifying gaps in existing systemic sclerosis (SSc) literature. The study designs mechanistic studies to understand underlying disease mechanisms and conducts large-scale clinical studies focused on early diagnosis and improved management of SSc patients.
• Southern Alberta Registry for Systemic Sclerosis and Myositis Co-leads this longitudinal, observational registry and biorepository study monitoring health outcomes of Canadian systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients over time. Uses state-of-the-art cellular biology techniques to identify prognostic factors and improve understanding of disease progression patterns.

Research focused on musculoskeletal imaging using high-resolution quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to better understand osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Utilizes the Centre for Mobility and Joint Health imaging facilities. Co-chair of the international SPECTRA research collaboration.

Co-leads the internationally recognized Lupus Centre of Excellence, focusing on comprehensive lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome research through clinical trials and patient-centered care initiatives. Leads multiple studies from the active studies list including APS ACTION international database.

Past Division Head and co-founder of Rheum4U, launched in 2016 as the largest inflammatory arthritis registry in Alberta, capturing patient demographics, treatments, and outcomes over the continuum of care. Her research focuses on models of care for arthritis and outcome measures for patients with inflammatory arthritis.

Clinical Associate Professor initially trained as a rheumatologist in the hospitals of Paris, France, with expertise in vasculitis and complex auto-immune/inflammatory diseases. Has established a vasculitis clinic in Calgary and is a core member of CanVasc, the Canadian network for vasculitis. . Also a collaborator in the neuro-immunology clinic and the interstitial lung disease clinic, and a core member of the Canadian Research Group of Rheumatology in Immuno-Oncology (CanRIO).

Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Medicine, with research focused on in vivo analysis of gene function and the generation of models for human disease. His research has spanned inflammation and autoimmunity (arthritis, autoinflammatory disease, macrophage biology), signal transduction, and cytokine research. . Key researcher in novel antibodies in SLE and basic translational research.

Clinical Assistant Professor with professional interests in clinical work and research in spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and uveitis. Co-runs a combined, multidisciplinary uveitis clinic in Calgary and plays a main role in creating a clinic database for uveitis. . Key researcher in ankylosing spondylitis and uveitis research.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by recurrent blood clots and pregnancy complications in patients with persistent antiphospholipid antibodies. Our division leads international research through the APS ACTION network, focusing on improved diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment strategies for both primary APS and secondary APS.

Our Indigenous health research addresses health disparities and improves rheumatology care for Indigenous populations across Canada, focusing on culturally appropriate care models and community-based research approaches.

Inflammatory arthritis encompasses conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and early undifferentiated arthritis. Our research focuses on early diagnosis, treatment optimization, disease monitoring, and long-term outcomes to prevent joint damage and improve quality of life for patients.

Our lupus research program focuses on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), investigating epidemiology, biomarkers, pregnancy outcomes, treatment effectiveness, and patient experiences. As part of the internationally recognized Lupus Centre of Excellence, we conduct comprehensive observational studies and clinical trials to improve outcomes for patients with this complex autoimmune disease.

Myositis research focuses on inflammatory muscle diseases including dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and inclusion body myositis, investigating disease mechanisms, diagnostic approaches, and treatment strategies for these rare autoimmune conditions.

Our osteoarthritis and bone health research utilizes advanced imaging technologies to understand disease mechanisms, progression patterns, and treatment effects in degenerative joint conditions and bone-related disorders.

Our quality improvement research program focuses on measuring, monitoring, and enhancing the delivery of rheumatology care to optimize patient outcomes through development of quality measures, performance indicators, and innovative care models.

Research into spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis focuses on axial and peripheral joint involvement, treatment responses, imaging advances, and patient-reported outcomes in these chronic inflammatory conditions affecting the spine and joints.

Our systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) research program investigates this complex autoimmune connective tissue disease, focusing on disease mechanisms, progression patterns, and treatment strategies through national and international collaborative studies.

Our vasculitis research program studies inflammatory diseases affecting blood vessels, including giant cell arteritis (GCA) and ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). Research focuses on diagnosis, treatment optimization, quality of life outcomes, and long-term monitoring of these complex systemic conditions.