Biography – IMHA Scientific Director: Dr. Rae Yeung
Dr. Rae Yeung was named Scientific Director of the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA) effective October 1, 2025. Dr. Yeung is one of the world's leading experts on childhood inflammatory diseases. She is a Professor of Paediatrics, Immunology and Medical Science at the University of Toronto's Temerty Faculty of Medicine, and a Paediatric Rheumatologist and Senior Scientist in Cell and Systems Biology at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Her research focuses on precision medicine in childhood arthritis and rheumatic diseases, tailoring treatments to each patient based on presentation and biology.
By pairing phenotype with molecular insights, Dr. Yeung is uncovering the mechanisms that drive autoimmunity, with the goal of improving diagnosis, treatment, outcomes and prevention. With this innovative approach, Dr. Yeung has become internationally recognized for translational research that has transformed the clinical care of Kawasaki Disease, childhood arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
Dr. Yeung leads national and international efforts to develop guidance for diagnosis and management of disease, and to understand the underlying causes and progression of childhood arthritis and vasculitis. She is a champion for collaborative transdisciplinary research networks in Canada and around the world and is passionate about team science. She is the driving force behind the Understanding Childhood Arthritis Network (UCAN), an international federation of research networks that involves over 50 countries with translational research hubs on three continents. UCAN has become a scalable model to improve health in many inflammatory conditions — from those affecting bones, joints and muscles to diseases associated with COVID-19.
Dr. Yeung is a highly sought after speaker and mentor, receiving numerous research and teaching awards and fostering a new generation of health researchers in Canada and around the world. She has published over 200 peer-reviewed original manuscripts and contributed to book chapters and clinical practice guidelines. She has championed integrating patients and families into multi-disciplinary research teams, building networks which incorporate all pillars of research from fundamental mechanisms in biomedical research, to clinical, health systems, and social, cultural, and population-based research – valuing the voice and contributions of a diverse team of participants towards the goal of improving health.
CIHR support has been a cornerstone of Dr. Yeung's career, enabling her to pursue research and contribute to advancements in health. Dr. Yeung has applied lessons learned from basic, translational and clinical research to transform care for children and families living with arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases. CIHR has not only facilitated the development of innovative solutions but also laid the groundwork for collaborations that amplify the impact of her work in Canada and beyond.
During Dr. Yeung's term, CIHR IMHA will be located at SickKids in Toronto.
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