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Beth L. Jonas, MD, Is Named Chief of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology

September 18, 2018
After a national search, Ronald Falk, MD, chair of the department of medicine has announced that Beth L. Jonas, MD, Reeves Foundation Professor of Medicine, has been appointed chief of the division of rheumatology, allergy and immunology.

Dr. Scott Commins Interviewed Regarding the Causes and Spread of “Alpha Gal” Meat Allergy, Which Is Believed to be Related to Tick Bites

September 4, 2018
Dr. Scott Commins, a leading expert on alpha gal meat allergy, was recently featured as an expert regarding a poorly understood allergy to meat that sometimes develops following a tick bite. 

Rheumatologist and Researcher Amanda Nelson, MD, MSCR, RhMSUS, Named Caregiver of the Month

August 7, 2018
Dr. Nelson is widely recognized as a physician who is passionate about conducting innovative Rheumatology research, as well as providing outstanding care for her patients. We would like to congratulate her for being named the current "Caregiver of the Month" by the Caregivers at Carolina organization. Dr. Nelson is an...

Dr. Onyinye Iweala Interviewed by Voice Of America News Service Regarding Alpha Gal Meat Allergy

August 7, 2018
Awareness among the medical community and consumers is increasing regarding a still poorly understood food allergy named alpha gal, in which some people who are bitten by ticks subsequently develop an allergy to meat. Physician-scientists in the UNC Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology are leading the way in helping...

Doug Phanstiel, PhD, Awarded National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) R35 “Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award” (MIRA) Grant To Study Mechanisms of Chromatin Looping During Differentiation

August 7, 2018
Dr. Phanstiel, a UNC Assistant Professor of Cell Biology & Physiology, and faculty member in the UNC Thurston Arthritis Research Center, has been awarded a 5-Year, $1.25 million grant for his research into how human cells regulate gene transcription during development. His research is focused on better understanding how DNA...

NY Times Magazine Publishes Feature Article on “Alpha Gal” Meat Allergy, Quoting Researchers Scott Commins, MD, PhD; and Onyinye Iweala, MD, PhD, as Leading Experts

August 7, 2018
Dr. Scott Commins, who was the lead author on the seminal scientific paper that first described this unique meat allergy, and Dr. Onyinye Iweala, a physician-scientist who is working with Dr. Commins to help unravel its mysteries, are using innovative research approaches to better understand and hopefully one day develop...

Dr. Saira Sheikh and Scientific Colleagues Partner with the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) on Newly Funded Grant from DHHS’s Office of Minority Health. Project is Focused on Increasing Involvement of Minority Patients in Lupus Clinical Trials.

July 13, 2018
Earlier this year, Saira Sheikh, MD, Director of the UNC Rheumatology Lupus Clinic, and Director of the Clinical Trials Program at the UNC Thurston Arthritis Research Center, as well as Allen Anandarajah, MD, MS, Associate Professor of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology at the University of Rochester Medical Center, were invited...

Dr. Beth Jonas Provides Insights Regarding How Doctor-Patient Relationships Can Affect Outcomes in Q&A Published by Medical News Website

July 11, 2018
The treatment of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis is constantly evolving and advancing, thanks to recent scientific advances and new medications being studied and approved every year. Nonetheless, successful treatment remains partly dependent on traditional values such as maintaining open communication and addressing the personal needs and interests of each...

UNC Thurston Arthritis Research Center’s John Collins, PhD, Receives Irene Diamond Fund/AFAR Postdoctoral Transition Award in Aging

July 9, 2018
Dr. Collins, a post-doctoral fellow working in Dr. Richard Loeser’s lab, was selected to receive the $120,000, two-year grant following a rigorous scientific competition held by the American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR). His research currently focuses on determining how age-related increases in oxidative stress levels contribute to disordered cell...

Dr. Edward Iglesia and Dr. Chirag Patel Join Thurston Allergy/Immunology Fellowship Program

July 2, 2018
TARC welcomes Dr. Iglesia and Dr. Patel to its Allergy/Immunology Fellowship program. Fellows follow a "Core" 2-year (Clinical + Research) program. For some participants there is an optional 3rd year of advanced training in research. All fellows learn the clinical aspects of Allergy and Immunology while working side-by-side with faculty...