Le français suit / French follows
By Melody Choi
Innovations in arthritis research are increasingly driven by cross-disciplinary collaborations. In this Q&A, STARS Career Development Awardee Dr. St. Pierre, whose career has been shaped by work across fields ranging from engineering to biology, discusses how this approach is unlocking new possibilities for treating osteoarthritis.
- How has working across different scientific disciplines shaped your approach to research?
I’ve spent nearly my entire academic career immersed in arthritis research and cartilage tissue engineering. Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to have had exceptional mentors and the freedom to explore different aspects of the field—freedom that has shaped my research direction in meaningful ways.
My PhD was completed under the guidance of Dr. Rita Kandel and Dr. Robert Pilliar, where I had the opportunity to dive deep into cartilage-related science. Afterward, I pursued a postdoctoral fellowship in Dr. Molly Stevens’ lab, which focused more on biomaterial design, though still rooted in cartilage tissue engineering. What stood out in that environment was the lab’s emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration. I worked alongside researchers from a wide range of scientific backgrounds, tackling problems that couldn’t be solved through a single lens. That experience deeply influenced the way I approach research today—I see collaboration as essential to innovation, especially in complex fields like regenerative medicine. This theme of multidisciplinary science has carried through every stage of my career, beginning with my Master’s work. It’s something I’m very passionate about, and it continues to drive the way I design my lab and projects now.
- What drew you to explore ‘cryptic’ peptides, and how do you see them potentially transforming osteoarthritis treatment in the future?
My interest in cryptic peptides emerged during my postdoc. I was involved in a collaborative project unrelated to arthritis, where we were studying these peptides as a way to functionalize biomaterials and guide cell behavior. That work opened my eyes to the broader potential of cryptic peptides. When I later joined the University of Ottawa, I started to see how these signaling fragments might be leveraged in the context of arthritis. There’s still a lot of work to do in this area, but I believe cryptic peptides hold great promise as therapeutic agents or as tools to enhance tissue regeneration. It’s a relatively untapped area, and that’s exactly what makes it exciting.
This summer, I’ll be taking a sabbatical, which I’m really looking forward to. It’s a chance to reflect and refocus—to think creatively about how to push my research further. I’m particularly interested in expanding into drug delivery systems for joints, which is a compelling challenge for a biomaterials scientist. I’m also exploring how to integrate machine learning into our workflows to help accelerate discovery.
- How has receiving the STARS Career Development Award impacted your career so far?
The STARS Career Development Award has been instrumental in helping me establish and grow my research program. One of the most significant benefits has been the protected time it has given me to focus on research. Since receiving the award, I’ve had the privilege of working with an outstanding group of students and early-career researchers. Being able to dedicate more time to supervising and mentoring them through their projects has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve also had the chance to build collaborations with researchers from various institutions across Canada, bringing together different skill sets to tackle complex research questions—something I find vital in a multidisciplinary field like ours.
The award has also contributed to professional recognition. For example, I was honored by the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Ottawa, which was a meaningful milestone in my career. Additionally, the credibility that comes with CIHR and Arthritis Society branding has helped open doors for collaboration beyond the traditional arthritis research community. When working in multidisciplinary spaces, especially with researchers who may not be directly involved in arthritis-related work, that recognition helps others understand the value of the research and lends legitimacy to what we’re trying to achieve. It’s not just about the funding—it’s about the visibility, the validation, and the momentum it creates.
- What advice you would give to early-career researchers?
My main piece of advice is to clearly define your priorities—and be intentional about how you allocate your time. As an early-career researcher, there are often many demands pulling you in different directions. It’s okay to say no sometimes in order to protect the time you need for what matters most, whether that’s research, writing, mentoring, or simply space to think creatively.
There are also a number of valuable resources out there specifically for early-career researchers—it’s just a matter of seeking them out and taking full advantage. For example, organizations like CIHR, the Arthritis Society, and other research institutes offer opportunities to sit on grant and scholarship review panels. Participating in these panels is incredibly useful; it gives you insight into how grants are evaluated, which in turn helps you become a stronger grant writer. These kinds of experiences can make a real difference early on.