The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) presented the 2026 New Emerging eXperts in Translational Science (NEXT) Award to Kelsey Collins, PhD, in recognition of her innovative translational research on the links between adipose tissue, metabolic factors, and osteoarthritis (OA).
The NEXT Award highlights promising early-career investigators whose work bridges basic science and clinical application in orthopaedics. It is supported by AAOS and the Orthopaedic Research Society, and was presented during the AAOS 2026 Annual Meeting in New Orleans.
Dr. Collins is recognized for challenging the traditional “wear and tear” view of OA. Her studies show that osteoarthritis is a systemic condition influenced by fat tissue, immune responses, and metabolic signals, rather than purely mechanical stress. By exploring how adipose-derived factors contribute to joint degeneration and pain, her research opens new pathways for biologic therapies and better patient outcomes.
A key focus of Collins’ work has been using obesity models in rats and mice to demonstrate that body fat percentage strongly correlates with OA progression, even independent of overall body weight. Her innovative lipodystrophy models further revealed that the absence of fat tissue can protect against cartilage damage and pain after joint injury, while fat grafts restore susceptibility. These findings highlight the role of factors like leptin and other fat-secreted signals in driving inflammation and tissue breakdown.
Dr. Collins’ personal motivation stems from witnessing her mother’s battle with severe arthritis and her own experiences with knee injuries. Her career trajectory, from biomechanics training in Calgary to postdoctoral work with leaders like Farshid Guilak, has centered on uncovering why current OA treatments remain limited and how to develop targeted interventions.
As OA affects over 32.5 million Americans and carries a massive economic burden, Collins’ contributions help reframe the disease as a whole-body condition with potential for new regenerative and biologic treatments.
Congratulations to Kelsey H. Collins on receiving this prestigious award—an important recognition of her promising work shaping the future of osteoarthritis research and care.