Research

Studentships

The PsoCan Studentships in Psoriatic Disease program provides funding for undergraduate and health professional students to complete summer research projects related to psoriatic diseases under the supervision of established investigators. This program encourages interest in psoriatic diseases among early career researchers, supports an environment that provides strong mentorship and contributes to general knowledge about psoriatic disease.

Applications are due in February of each year for research projects that will take place over the following summer. We encourage applications from across Canada that reflect four pillars of health research: biomedical, clinical, health systems and services and population health.

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The 2027 Application process will begin in the fall of 2026. 

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2026 PsoCan Studentship Winners

Nujud Al- Jabouri, University of Ottawa

Nujud Al-Jabouri

Supervisor: Dr. Raed Alhusayen

Location:  Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Project Title: Impact of Psoriatic Arthritis on Drug Survival of IL-17 Versus IL-23 Inhibitors Initiated for Cutaneous Psoriasis: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Lay Summary:

Psoriasis is increasingly recognized as a systemic inflammatory disease rather than a condition affecting only the skin. Approximately 20-30% of individuals with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA), an inflammatory joint disease that can lead to irreversible joint damage and reduced quality of life if not adequately controlled. Although biologic therapies targeting the interleukin-17 (IL-17) and interleukin-23 (IL-23) pathways have proven to be effective for improving skin symptoms, emerging evidence suggests that the presence and pattern of joint involvement may influence the effectiveness of these treatments over time. Despite this, biologic selection for psoriasis in clinical practice is often guided primarily by skin severity, with less emphasis on how concurrent PsA may affect long-term treatment durability.

25-50% of psoriasis patients discontinue biologic therapy due to factors such as reduced effectiveness or adverse effects. Drug survival, defined as the time from treatment initiation to discontinuation, has therefore emerged as an important measure of long-term treatment durability, reflecting sustained effectiveness, safety, and tolerability. Yet it remains unclear whether PsA status and clinical subtype modify long-term drug survival between IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors, particularly within Canadian contexts.

This study will address this gap using real-world clinical data from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre to evaluate whether the presence and subtype of PsA modify long-term biologic drug survival. By identifying how joint disease affects treatment durability, this research aims to support more personalized biologic selection, reduce avoidable treatment failure, and improve long-term outcomes for individuals living with psoriasis and PsA.

Marina Shaker

Supervisor: Dr. Jensen Yeung

Location:  Women’s College Hospital

Project Title: Publicly Funded Access to Biologic Therapies for Psoriasis Across Canadian Provinces: A Cross-Sectional Policy Analysis

Lay Summary:

Biologic medications have greatly improved the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis, helping many people achieve better disease control and improved quality of life. However, access to these treatments is not the same across Canada. Public drug coverage rules vary by province, meaning that patients with similar disease severity may face very different requirements to receive the same medication.

This research project will examine how public funding policies for psoriasis biologic medications differ across Canadian provinces and territories. By reviewing publicly available drug plan policies, the study will compare which biologic treatments are covered and what criteria patients must meet to access them, such as disease severity, previous treatments tried, and prescriber requirements.

The goal of this project is to clearly describe differences in access to psoriasis treatments across Canada and to raise awareness of gaps in care that may affect patients’ ability to receive timely and effective treatment. By highlighting these differences, the research aims to support patient advocacy and inform conversations with policymakers about improving fairness and consistency in access to biologic therapies for people living with psoriasis.

2025 CIHR-PsoCan Studentship Winners

Sarah Aly, McGill University

Elucidating Socioeconomic Determinants of Psoriasis at Individual and Neighborhood Levels 

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes scaly, irritated patches and can significantly impact daily life. It also increases the risk of serious health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis, making access to effective treatments essential. While genetics and lifestyle factors are known contributors to psoriasis, the role of socioeconomic factors—such as income, education level, and job type—requires deeper investigation. 

Our research team recently identified that neighborhoods with middle socioeconomic status (SES) in Quebec had the highest incidence of psoriasis. This finding underscores the need to understand how SES factors influence the condition. To address this, we will analyze data from the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath) cohort, one of Canada’s largest health databases. 

This study will explore how individual and neighborhood-level SES factors, including income, education, and job type, shape psoriasis risk. Findings will inform public health strategies aimed at reducing healthcare inequities, guide policy improvements to support vulnerable populations, and help clinicians tailor prevention and treatment approaches. By addressing these socioeconomic determinants, our research will contribute to better healthcare access and outcomes for Canadians living with psoriasis.

Watch the video below to see the results of Sarah’s research

Beyond the biomedical model of health: unraveling the social determinants of health to enhance care for patients with psoriatic arthritis 

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that impacts more than one million Canadians. About one-third of patients with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, which is a chronic inflammatory disease that commonly affects the joints and skin. Previous research demonstrates that the social determinants of health can affect patients with psoriatic arthritis. In this study, we plan to examine how the social determinants of health impact the effectiveness of cardio-rheumatology interventions in managing cardiovascular risk among patients with psoriatic arthritis. The results of this study will inform patient-centered care and promote equitable health care for patients with psoriatic arthritis. 

Watch the video below to see the results of Shabiga’s  research.

Interferons and Joint Damage in Psoriatic Arthritis: A Sex-Stratified Analysis 

Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory condition that affects the joints and is often seen in people with psoriasis. PsA can lead to joint damage, pain, and reduced mobility, significantly impacting a person’s quality of life. While PsA affects men and women equally, men often experience worse joint damage, whereas women tend to report more pain despite having similar levels of inflammation. Understanding these differences is crucial to improving treatment and disease management. 

This study focuses on interferons (IFNs), a group of immune proteins that are known to play a role in autoimmune diseases. We will investigate whether IFNs provide a protective effect in PsA by reducing joint damage and counteracting harmful inflammation. The study also examines whether women have higher levels of IFNs, which may explain their lower levels of joint damage compared to men. 

Using blood samples and imaging from 100 patients with PsA (50 men and 50 women) from the Psoriatic Arthritis Clinic at Toronto Western Hospital, we will measure IFN levels, assess IFN-responsive gene activity, and compare these findings between men and women. We will also analyze how IFN levels relate to joint damage severity. 

By identifying how IFNs influence PsA and joint damage and exploring sex-based differences in immune responses, this research aims to improve understanding of the disease. Ultimately, the findings could help develop better tools for early diagnosis, patient stratification, and targeted treatment, reducing joint damage and improving outcomes for people with PsA. 

An Evaluation of Biologic Failure in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis: a Retrospective Review from Ontario

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition that impacts 1 million people across Canada. It causes the development of scaly plaques that can have a significant impact on quality of life, and has been associated with comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease.

Biologic therapy has revolutionized psoriasis care, providing new treatments which effectively target specific cytokines in the inflammatory pathway that mediate disease processes. However, there is minimal research guiding clinicians when patients fail a course of biologic therapy, or factors which may predispose patients to failing therapy. In this study, we aim to determine the factors leading to the discontinuation of a biologic, timing of discontinuation, alternative therapy following biologic failure and its associated treatment outcomes. We also aim to identify if there are baseline patient characteristics which increase the risk of biologic failure. Ultimately, we aim to guide clinicians in the administration of treatment in patients with psoriasis who have previously failed a course of biologics, so that patients may have better outcomes and improved quality of life.

Watch the video below to see the results of Mahek’s research.