Category: News

A rheumatologist, neuroradiologist, and computer scientist have been working closely together to blend medical expertise with AI/machine learning to reimagine the future of lupus diagnosis and care.

Under the leadership of Dr. Saira Sheikh, UNC’s established multidisciplinary team has expertise in cell therapy clinical trials focused on lupus, myositis and other autoimmune diseases.

From a pool of 55 nominations, Dr. Amanda Nelson, Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology in the UNC School of Medicine, was selected for the 2026 award for faculty-to-graduate student mentoring.

The American College of Rheumatology’s (ACR) publication, The Rheumatologist, recently released an online article detailing the ongoing effort and mission of researchers working to change the under-representation of Black and Latino-Hispanic populations in systemic lupus erythematosus clinical trials.

Dr. Onyinye Iweala, Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the Allergy Mast Cell Disorders Program in the UNC School of Medicine, recently received an R01 award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for her project, “Tick infestation and T cell responses in alpha-gal syndrome.”

The National Institute on Aging recently awarded Richard F. Loeser, Jr., MD, Director of the Thurston Arthritis Research Center (TARC) and Joseph P. Archie, Jr. Eminent Professor of Medicine in UNC’s Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, a $2.265 million 4-year award for his project, “Integrin Signaling in Osteoarthritis.”

On April 9, 2026, The Carolina Center for Public Service awarded Dr. Leigh F. Callahan, Mary Link Briggs Distinguished Professor of Medicine in the UNC Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology and Associate Director of the Thurston Arthritis Research Center, the 2026 Ned Brooks Award for Public Service.

Dr. Saira Sheikh, her research team, and one of her patients living with lupus were featured in a national news program discussing a breakthrough therapy for lupus.

The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) recently announced their 2026 award recipients. Among them was Dr. B. Duncan X. Lascelles, BSc, BVSc, PhD, who received the Excellence in Research Award.

TARC's 8th annual Research Day was held on Friday, November 14th with a record-setting attendee turnout and number of abstracts submitted.