Dr. Simon C. Mastbergen is an associate professor and director of research at the department Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology of the University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands. He studied Medical Biology and obtained his MSc in 1998. In 2005 he obtained his PhD which was focused on the role of COX-2 in osteoarthritis. He has a strong interest in translational rheumatology research with a focus on tissue-regeneration in joint diseases, especially osteoarthritis, though not limited to. Central theme of his research is modulation of cartilage, synovium, and bone to prevent and when possible, cure joint damage. Within this theme he is involved in several research lines including “Joint distraction in treatment of severe osteoarthritis", “Causes of development and progression of osteoarthritis”, and “DMOADS in treatment of osteoarthritis” amongst other. Within these research lines he pushes for innovation and translation to the clinic.