Category: Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology
Loeser, Callahan participate in first annual osteoarthritis fellowship in training meeting
Richard Loeser, MD, and Leigh Callahan, PhD, led discussions at the recent “OA FIT Bootcamp” meeting for fellows. The event was the first annual Osteoarthritis FIT (Fellows In Training) meeting, hosted by the Arthritis Foundation and the Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation, giving young investigators and clinician scholars an opportunity to engage in interactive lectures … Read more
Eltaraboulsi advocates for patient access to care and solutions to workforce shortage
Rami Eltaraboulsi, MD, a fellow in the division of rheumatology, allergy and immunology, recently joined rheumatology leaders on Capitol Hill to advocate for patient access to care and solutions to workforce shortage while participating in the American College of Rheumatology’s (ACR) annual “Advocates for Arthritis” meeting, focused on patient needs and policy issues that affects … Read more
Jonas featured in “Curbsiders” podcast discussing lupus
Beth Jonas, MD, was recently interviewed in a “Curbsiders” podcast discussing lupus. The podcast series focuses heavily on best practices in diagnosing patients with this often difficult-to-diagnose disease, as well as the basic of treatment for patients.
Department of Medicine Grants & Funding: September 1-September 30, 2019
Division of Geriatric Medicine Laura Hanson, MD, MPH, will lead NIA’s new IMPACT Collaboratory’s Patient and Caregiver Reported Outcomes (PCRO) Core, funded by a five-year, $1.4 million grant. Learn more. Division of Hematology/Oncology Lisa Carey, MD, will receive $400,000 from Susan G. Komen to study how HER2+ tumors respond to HER2-targeted therapies. She is one of three UNC S … Read more
Researchers Find Combined Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis May Help Speed Remission
RTI and UNC-Chapel Hill researchers, including Beth Jonas, MD, and Katrina Donahue, MD, MPH, analyzed results from 22 studies to support combination therapy as a way improve outcomes for some rheumatoid arthritis patients. The results of their systematic review have been published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Diekman Lab Develops Novel Way to Rapidly ‘Age’ Cartilage Tissue, Facilitating Search for New Osteoarthritis Therapies
Scientists need to be able to research how cells become senescent–no longer able to divide normally–with age and after joint injury; however, isolating them for further study is challenging. The Diekman Lab has developed a tissue culture system that could reproducibly generate a population of senescent cells for further observation. This work establishes a system for identifyin … Read more
Iweala Contributes to NPR Health Story About Sesame Allergies
Onyinye Iweala, MD, PhD, offers perspective on new research that estimates the number of sesame-allergic Americans to be approximately 1.6 million. The study findings come at a time when the FDA is considering whether to add sesame to the list of top allergens required to be identified on food packaging.
Sheikh, Kwan receive Pfizer grant to improve awareness for pneumococcal immunizations
Saira Sheikh, MD, and Mildred Kwan, MD, PhD, have received a Pfizer grant to improve awareness of pneumococcal immunization among patients with immunocompromising conditions. This will include promoting healthcare provider and patient awareness about the importance of vaccines in patients with autoimmune, immunodeficient and allergic respiratory diseases, while educating provider … Read more
Department of Medicine Grants & Funding: July 1-July 31, 2019
Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology Shehzad Z. Sheikh, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology and hepatology, and post-doctoral fellow Takahiko Toyonaga, MD, PhD, have received a fellowship research award from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Read more. Division of General Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology Crystal Wiley Cené, … Read more
Welcome to 2019 rheumatology and allergy/immunology fellows
We are proud to extend a hearty welcome to Rheumatology Fellows, Amanda Lusa, MD; and Enid Sun, MD, MPH; and Allergy/Immunology Fellows, Olivia Francis, MD; and Stephen Schworer, MD, PhD.
Commins appointed to national tick-borne disease working group
Scott Commins, MD, PhD, continues to research “alpha-gal” meat allergy and create awareness for the tick-borne illness as a new CDC research study begins. Recognized as a leading national expert, Commins will now guide a US DHHS Tick-Borne Working Group Subcommittee. Scott Commins, MD, PhD The US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has appointed leading alpha-gal aller … Read more
UNC Researchers Recognize the Disproportionate Impact of Arthritis on the Military
Researchers from the UNC Thurston Arthritis Research Center were featured in USA Today over the Memorial Day weekend, recognizing that 1 in 3 veterans have arthritis. Experts explained why arthritis is second, behind combat-related injuries, for health-related active duty honorable discharge. One veteran shared her inspiring story.