2016 ARHP Award Winners Discuss Their Contributions to Rheumatology

Q: What is the best advice you’ve gotten so far?

A: I have been told on several occasions that it is critical to choose one area of research and try to maintain a laser focus on that one area; this advice is always striking to hear, because it is a reminder of how much I (respectfully) disagree! For me, having varied interests and areas of focus has allowed me to view research endeavors from multiple vantage points and borrow methodologies from other disciplines.

Q: If you could change one thing about the field of rheumatology, what would it be?

A: As a student of clinical psychology and epidemiology, I am always seeking ways to involve individuals who have their own unique perspectives on a project in my research. … Increasing interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary collaborations and communication and encouraging such endeavors would enhance the quality, relevance and accessibility of rheumatologic research.

ARHP Graduate Student Award

Alexandra Wink, MS

Background: As a doctoral candidate in the Boston University School of Medicine, Ms. Wink’s dissertation work has focused on osteoarthritis. She chose her focus well.

One of her papers was recognized as a “highest scorer among junior investigators” at the 2016 Osteoarthritis Research Society (OARSI) World Conference in Amsterdam. She has already applied for several grants from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). And, if one of her advisers is any judge, she’ll do just fine.

“Without a doubt, Alex is the most promising young arthritis researchers that I have yet had the pleasure of knowing,” her nominating letter read.

Ms. Wink is a bit more modest. “Right now, I’m hoping most to graduate in the next two years,” she says. “After that, I’d like to obtain a faculty position where I can continue to research the role of human movement in joint health as well as pursue my love of teaching.

‘In the midst of PhD life, it’s sometimes hard to imagine that your work is important or interesting to anyone beyond yourself, so being recognized by my peers for my efforts is very meaningful.’ —Ms. Wink

Q: What is it about rheumatology that keeps you so engaged?
A: Certainly, having a dissertation to complete keeps me motivated. I work with a great group of mentors and peers and there’s constant encouragement to publish and present our work anywhere from the university level to an international level.
Q: What does an award at this point in your career—one given by peers—mean to you?
A: I feel very honored to be a recipient of the ARHP Graduate Student Award. In the midst of PhD life, it’s sometimes hard to imagine that your work is important or interesting to anyone beyond yourself, so being recognized by my peers for my efforts is very meaningful.
Q: What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
A: In addition to being a graduate researcher, I also teach anatomy to medical and other professional students. Being able to educate future clinicians and to get them excited about learning anatomy is probably one of the most exciting and fulfilling aspects of what I do.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve gotten so far?
A: Probably to be patient. Life is long and careers are long and there’s enough time to accomplish and enjoy everything, as long as you don’t expect it to happen immediately.