Current RDRRC Members

Al-Ali, Ziyad

Medical Sciences

My work in clinical epidemiology leverages the availability of large scale national longitudinal data on more than 8 million veterans to enhance our understanding of the epidemiology of kidney disease, predictors of kidney disease progression, and untoward outcomes.

Ansstas, George

Medical Oncology

My research goal is to predict response to immune therapy so we can tailor our treatment appropriately to individual melanoma patient to reduce toxicities.

Atkinson, John

Rheumatology

My lab has had a long-standing interest in the structure, function, and genetics of human and mouse complement regulatory proteins, including their abuse by microbial pathogens. Defining the functional consequences of mutations in these regulators in human diseases (atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and age-related macular degeneration) has been a major interest over the past decade.

Brody, Steven

Pulmonary

My work is focused on airway epithelial cell biology and the relationship to lung diseases affecting the airway. Our studies are directed toward understanding mechanisms for airway epithelial cell differentiation during pathologic states and the genetic basis for airway diseases including asthma, COPD, and primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD).

Byers, Derek

Pulmonary

I am experienced in all stages of biobank development, from benchtop work as an investigator, to patient consent and sample procurement, to the administration of a morphology and tissue core. I maintain a biobank/registry of human lung tissues, airway epithelial cell preparations, and human bronchoscopy specimens from patients with advanced lung diseases. This registry now includes blood, BAL, tissue specimens, and cryopreserved immune cell preparations from over 500 patients with CF, COPD, IPF, asthma, ILD, lung transplants, and non-diseased donors.

Civitelli, Roberto

Bone & Mineral Diseases

My research interests are focused on bone and mineral metabolism in health and disease, both at the clinical and basic science levels.  I have been investigating several aspects of the pathogenesis of osteoporosis, including corticosteroid-induced bone loss, as well as the mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety of agents used in the prevention of bone loss and osteoporotic fractures, both at the preclinical (animal and cell) and clinical levels and clinical activity.

Collins, Kelsey

Colonna, Marco

Pathology and Immunology

My laboratory studies diversity, specificity, signaling and biological impact of cell surface receptors expressed on leukocytes involved in innate immune responses, including innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), plasmacytoid dendritic cells and monocytes/macrophages.

Cooper, Megan

Pediatric Rheumatology

My laboratory investigates the genetic basis of early-onset immune dysregulation and autoimmunity. We recently discovered a syndrome of early-onset autoimmunity caused by gain-of-function (GOF) mutations in STAT3. Our laboratory continues to investigate the genetic basis of early-onset immune dysregulation and autoimmunity, and other recent publications in this field include the discovery of two additional new monogenic diseases.

Davidson, Nicholas

Gastroenterology

Our laboratory defined the molecular genetics of intestinal and hepatic apoB RNA editing, including our recent genome-wide identification of an unanticipated range of tissue-specific C to U RNA editing targets of the catalytic deaminase, Apobec1. My basic-translational (liver) research activities have focused on the molecular genetics of hepatic steatosis and metabolic liver disease, including gallstones and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Diamond, Michael

Infectious Diseases

My laboratory has extensive experience in dissecting mechanisms of viral pathogenesis and the host immune response for a number of pathogens of medical relevance. In particular, we have significant expertise in studying the pathogenesis of flaviviruses and have established many of the key mouse models of disease.

Dinauer, Mary

Pediatric Hematology and Oncology

I study the function and assembly of NADPH oxidase in phagocytic cells and defects in the immunodeficiency Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD), a disorder of both host defense and aberrant inflammation. More recently, I shifted my research focus to investigating how NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species impact inflammation and autoimmunity.

Edelson, Brian

Pathology and Immunology

My laboratory is focused on two areas of immunology.  First, we are interested in understanding how autoreactive T cells mediate autoimmune disease, particularly in multiple sclerosis (MS) and its mouse model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).  Second, we are interested in understanding the development, heterogeneity, and function of monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells during immune responses.

Egawa, Takeshi

Pathology and Immunology

I have a long-standing interest in the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that regulate the development and functions of lymphocytes. I have also extended my research to study gene regulation in antigen-specific T cells and B cells that respond to pathogen infection and cancers by studying gene expression, protein translation, and metabolic programs.

Eisen, Seth

Rheumatology

I am an internist and epidemiologist, with a 30-year history of leading and participating in retrospective and prospective epidemiologic research studies based on access to and analysis of large datasets.

Since September 2015 I am responsible for developing a clinical research mentoring program for rheumatology fellows and faculty, recruiting established clinical investigators to join the division, expanding the Department of Medicine’s clinical research mission, and participating in research projects. I am the Associate Director, Mentors in Medicine (MiM), Department of Medicine since 2017.

Evanoff, Bradley

General Medical Sciences

I am the Principal Investigator of Washington University’s (WU) CTSA and Director of the WU Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS). My research is focused on the etiology and prevention of occupational injuries and illnesses, particularly musculoskeletal disorders. This work has involved risk factor epidemiology, novel interventions to change health and safety behaviors, development and validation of methods to measure physical exposures and musculoskeletal disease outcomes, and translation of findings to practice through the dissemination of new technologies.

Fitzpatrick, James

Neuroscience

My career to date has been focused on the development and application of optical and charged particle (electron and ion) imaging technologies to study the structure and function of biological systems from in vitro cell cultures to developing organisms. I am also the Scientific Director of the Washington University Center for Cellular Imaging (WUCCI).

French, Anthony

Pediatric Rheumatology

My research focuses on the interface between the host innate immune system and viral infections and how interactions at this interface may influence the initiation of inappropriate autoimmune responses in rheumatic diseases. Our ongoing studies are focused on understanding the mechanisms regulating the resolution of the NK cell proliferative response during viral infections and the accompanying contraction of expanded NK cell numbers.

Gordon, Mae

Ophthalmology & Visual Science

As Director of the Coordinating Center for NIH multi-center clinical studies, I have supervised the writing of data sharing agreements, construction/transmission of shared datasets and supported more than 20 recipients world-wide in the use of shared data.  We have distributed genomic, image and clinical datasets using HIPAA compliant Box maintained by Washington University IT.  We have developed a standard, English narrative language agreement template for data sharing agreements that we would be happy to share.  We have a review procedure for determining whether the applicant’s research question can be addressed, if not at least illuminated, by the datasets requested.  Data sharing increases the rigor of scientific replication over meta-analysis and supports the NIH mission of Rigor and Reproducibility.

Govindan, Ramaswamy

Medical Oncology

As a medical oncologist interested in thoracic malignancies, I have led a number of institutional and multi-center phase II and III studies in lung cancer over the past decade. Advances in genomics and drug development have now made it possible to develop rational targeted therapies in molecularly defined subsets of patients. In addition, I am leading the efforts to move personalized therapies in early stage and locally advanced lung cancer. I am the co-chair of the lung cancer disease-working group for TCGA project and the Cancer Driver Discovery Project (CDDP) funded by the NCI.

Guilak, Farshid

Dr. Guilak’s laboratory focuses on the role of biomechanical factors in the onset, progression, and treatment of osteoarthritis and other joint diseases. These based studies are being performed from the cellular and subcellular level, to that of the whole body, to better understand the interaction of biomechanical factors with genetic, biochemical, and other environmental influences.  He has also developed new 3D woven biomaterial structures that are designed to mimic the complex mechanical properties of native tissues.

Hassman, Lynn

Ophthalmology

Interested in molecular characterization of uveitis.

Harasymowicz, Natalia

Orthopaedic

My research focuses on the role of the immune system in aging and fibrosis in the context of musculoskeletal diseases. I use interdisciplinary approaches to study the molecular and genetic interactions between stromal and immune systems. I study the role of inflammation and fibrosis in the progression of osteoarthritis, obesity, and aging.

Herrlich, Andreas

Nephrology

I am a physician scientist and my laboratory studies regulation of ectodomain shedding by metalloproteases. In particular, we focus on growth factors and their receptors released by shedding in cancer and in mammalian kidney injury and repair using the mouse model. My research contributions have included the co-discovery of EGFR transactivation together with Axel Ullrich’s group (Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Munich), the identification of regulatory signaling networks that specifically regulate metalloprotease cleavage on the substrate level, and the identification of the detrimental role of ADAM17 and its substrates AREG and TNFα in kidney injury-induced fibrosis in mice and humans.

Herzog, Erik

Holers, Michael

Rheumatology

The Division Head of Rheumatology, Professor of Medicine and Immunology and the Scoville Professor of Rheumatology at the University of Colorado. The historical focus of the Holers’ Laboratory research efforts has been on the structure-function relationships and biologic roles of the complement system. More recently the Holers’ Laboratory has moved a major focus of research activities to studying the natural history and pathogenesis of human rheumatoid arthritis (RA) prior to and immediately after the onset of clinically apparent arthritis.

Hourcade, Dennis

Rheumatology

My research efforts have focused on the mechanisms that underlie the assembly, function, and regulation of the alternative pathway C3. In the last 12 years I have led the development of a new model for complement activation via the convertase component properdin.

Hsieh, Chyi

Rheumatology

A goal of my research is to understand in basic immunological terms how T cells develop tolerance to self.  I became interested in how Treg cells interacted with antigens in the periphery, leading to our demonstration that the peripheral Treg TCR repertoire is shaped by anatomic location. We also became interested in how the immune system interacts with commensal bacteria and the mechanisms by which certain bacteria, but not others, elicit mucosal immune responses is an ongoing question in the laboratory.

Jiminez, Jesus

Cardiology

Kefalogianni, Eirini

Allergy & Immunology

Dr. Kefalogianni is studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms of tissue injury, inflammation and fibrosis in kidney and rheumatic diseases. We are particularly interested on the roles of cytokines and their cellular and circulating receptors in regulating local and systemic inflammation.

Kendall, Peggy

Allergy & Immunology

Dr. Kendall’s research focuses on the role of B lymphocytes in autoimmune disease. Specific research interests include determining how B cell signaling mediated by Bruton’s tyrosine kinase contributes to autoimmune disease, including inflammatory arthritis and type 1 diabetes, as well as the relationship with the inflammatory microbiome.

Dr. Kendall is also investigating the role of immune cells as biomarkers and therapeutic targets of lung disease in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and systemic sclerosis with and without interstitial lung disease.

Kim, Alfred

Rheumatology

I am primarily interested in identifying how B cells drive disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Using a combination of transcriptomic and metabolomics techniques, we currently investigating how metabolic programs are altered in both mouse models of SLE and in patients with SLE, and how this drives pathogenic responses.

Kopecky, Benjamin

Cardiology

Macrophages are the most abundant donor immune cell at the time of transplant.  Recent paradigm shifting studies have shown remarkable heterogeneity among tissue resident macrophages.  I am working toward broadening our understanding of donor macrophage activation and interaction with the recipient immune populations at the time of heart transplantation.  Insights gained can be translated towards prevention or earlier intervention of primary graft dysfunction and acute cellular rejection.

Kulkarni, Devesha

Gastroenterology

My research goal is to investigate the mechanisms by which gut microbial dysbiosis contributes to obesity associated metabolic diseases. Specifically, I want to dissect the crosstalk between gut microbes, intestinal immune cells and the immune cells at extra-intestinal sides such as adipose tissue.

Kulkarni, Hrishikesh

Pulmonary

Interested in complement biology and lung injury.

Lavine, Kory

Cardiology

Interested in understanding the role of cardiac immune cell diversity in the pathogenesis of myocardial diseases including heart failure, myocardial infarction, heart transplant rejection, myocarditis, and autoinflammatory forms of heart failure.

Lee, Iris

Rheumatology

B cells and complement regulation

Lenschow, Deborah

Rheumatology

My research program is focused on understanding the host immune response during viral pathogenesis. We use genetic, molecular, biochemical, immunologic, and virologic techniques to understand how the innate immune response, and in particular, the type I IFN response restrict viral infection. We utilize a variety of viral model systems, including influenza virus, herpes viruses, murine norovirus, and Sendai virus. In addition, we have explored protective innate immunity against Chikungunya virus, an arthritogenic alphavirus. We have the viruses, mouse strains, and antibodies available in our lab to perform the studies that will define CHIKV infection results in the development of chronic arthritis.

Lew, Daphne

Biostatistics Interested in pMy research interests pertain to the relationship between Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and health outcomes, particularly for patients with rheumatic diseases. I have been working to develop a system to collect patient-reported SDOH in rheumatology clinics, which can be used to share real-time SDOH information with clinicians. This information can then be incorporated into the patient’s care plan, leading to more favorable short and long-term health outcomes.arthenogenesis and molecular diagnosis for breast and cardiovascular disease.

Lin, Chieh-Yu

Pathology and Immunology

Interested in parthenogenesis and molecular diagnosis for breast and cardiovascular disease.

Miller, Mark

Infectious Diseases

My lab uses in vivo imaging to study cellular immune responses in mouse models of infection and inflammatory disease. My current research interests fall under the umbrella of cellular immunity with an emphasis on studying antigen presentation and leukocyte trafficking in vivo. The second focus of my research program is to define the molecular requirements for leukocyte trafficking and antigen capture in the lung.

Murphy, Kenneth

Pathology & Immunology

Dr. Murphy’s research addresses the regulation of immune responses with particular emphasis on T cell and dendritic cell (DC) differentiation central to both effective defense and rheumatologic disorders. Understanding the factors that drive T-cell mediated immunity will help in designing more potent vaccines against intracellular pathogens and cancers.

Newberry, Rodney

Gastroenterology

My research interest revolves around mucosal immunity and the pathways leading to pathogenesis in intestinal inflammatory diseases including inflammatory bowel disease.  I direct the biobank core at the Washington University Digestive Diseases Research Core Center (DDRCC).  The mission of the Biobank core is to act as a nidus promoting and accelerating clinical-translational and basic research on human gastrointestinal diseases.

Oh, Stephen

Hematology

I head a translational research group focused on the pathogenesis of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). My laboratory research employs human patient samples and mouse models to study the initiation, development, and progression of MPNs. I am also co-Head of the Immunomonitoring Laboratory (IML), a shared resource operated by the Washington University Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs (CHiiPs).

Paley, Michael

Rheumatology

Interested in inflammatory eye disease, spondyloarthritis.

Pan, Hua

Rheumatology

My research covers two broad themes and a number of practical applications. The first theme is the basic conception, development, and clinical application of novel nanostructures that serve as safe and effective delivery vehicles for any class of therapeutic nucleotides. The specific thrust of this theme is the design of peptide-based siRNA and mRNA polyplexes for multiplexed control of protein production that will be broadly applicable for RNAi, gene therapy, and regenerative medicine. The clinical applications entail cardiovascular disease, cancer, arthritis, and metabolic syndrome among others.

The second theme concerns the mechanistic understanding and prevention of cancer treatment-induced toxicities that can limit continuation of effective therapy and result in undertreatment. The major thrusts of this theme are: 1. Delineation of pathological determinants of selected cancers that might be controlled with systemically delivered nano-scale therapeutics; 2. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of cancer treatment-induced organ toxicity that might be attenuated with targeted nanomedicines, 3. Discovery of predictive biomarkers for identification of high-risk patient populations and monitoring of tissue-specific responses to preventative nanomedicine-driven strategies that might curtail cancer treatment-induced toxicities, and 4. Development of machine learning approaches to enhance the predictive role of artificial intelligence in multidimensional analysis of cancer and other disease pathophysiologies.

Parks, Deborah

Rheumatology

I am an avid believer that ultrasonography improves early recognition of synovitis facilitating rapid treatment of RA leading to improved outcomes of therapy. Since 2011, I am the Director of Clinical Operations for the Division of Rheumatology. I developed an immersion musculoskeletal ultrasound curriculum for our fellowship training program composed of lectures, hands-on scanning of normal and pathologic patients and interventional cadaveric procedures. I have been the primary interventionalist and site leader at Washington University performing all synovial biopsies for the REASON consortium, which is currently actively involved in the Accelerated Medicine Partnership for rheumatoid arthritis.

Perlman, Harris

My laboratory focuses on two facets of Rheumatology; the role of co-morbidities in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) including atherosclerosis and obesity and the role that macrophage heterogeneity in the target organs (synovium, kidney, and lung) plays in the pathogenesis and remission of RA, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Pham, Christine

Rheumatology

One focus of my research is to understand how innate immunity modulates inflammation. Another focus of my laboratory is to develop strategies to deliver nanomedicine to halt or reverse joint inflammation and degeneration in preclinical models of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Rai, Muhammad Farooq

Orthopaedic Surgery

I am interested in understanding the early molecular mechanisms that orchestrate changes in the knee joint after injury and lead to the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis as well as in developing treatment strategies for this highly prevalent and debilitating joint disease.

Ranganathan, Prabha

Rheumatology

My clinical research interests are in the areas of pharmacogenetics, outcomes research, and the effects of vitamin D in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). I have been involved in outcomes research in RA as a co-investigator in a large pharmacovigilance effort using the national Veterans Affairs (VA) administrative databases to identify adverse outcomes in veterans with RA treated with disease-modifying agents. We have reported on the risk of herpes zoster, hospitalization for infection, and non-melanoma skin cancer, and are involved in ongoing studies determining head and neck and prostate cancer risk in veterans with RA.

Rohatgi, Nidhi

Pathology and Immunology

Interested in osteoclast biology, rheumatoid arthritis, epigenetics, and metabolism.

Roberson, Eli

Rheumatology

My lab focuses on understanding the molecular biology and genetics of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Importantly, we house and have individually analyzed the sequencing for >100 human exomes, >3000 targeted capture sequencing experiments, and >175 human tissue RNA-Seq experiments. This combination of experience makes us ideally placed to combine information from basic molecular biology and high-throughput experiments. I believe this resource will be invaluable to this community for enhancing the amount of human translational research at Washington University.

Rogers, Buck

Radiation Oncology

Interested in nuclear imaging of disease. Use of radioactive metals to target sites of disease for early detection/treatment monitoring via PET imaging.

Saligrama, Naresha

Neurology

Sandell, Linda

Orthopaedic Surgery

Schmitt, Erica

Setton, Lori

Biomedical Engineering

My lab studies the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis and intervertebral disc disorders for over 25 years, beginning with studies of physical force effects on cartilage mechanics (e.g., joint overloading or unloading).  My initial work focused on articular cartilage but quickly broadened to include mechano-biology and tissue regeneration in cartilage and intervertebral disc using experimental cellular systems, animal models and mathematical modeling.

Sheehan, Kathleen

Pathology & Immunology

I have dual roles in basic immunology research and the management to two core laboratory facilities, the Immunomonitoring Laboratory (IML) and Hybridoma Center (HC).  I have a long-standing interest in the role of cytokines, particularly the interferons, in immune and infectious diseases and cancer immunotherapy. I am also an authority on monoclonal antibody development, publishing numerous manuscripts elucidating key roles of cytokines through the use of functional blocking monoclonal antibodies.

Stappenbeck, Thaddeus

Laboratory & Genomic Medicine

I am interested in discovering key elements in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The focus of my laboratory is host mutations and interactions with the environment that alter intestinal epithelial function. Our overarching goal is to understand combinations of genetic and environmental factors that affect specific epithelial cell function and thus predispose individuals to developing active intestinal inflammation.

Stewart, Sheila

Cell Biology

Interested in how age-related changes impact tumorigenesis.

Swarnkar, Guarav

Orthopaedic Surgery

Interested in molecular mechanism and metabolic changes associated with osteoclast, osteblast and chondrocyte cells differentiation and function under inflammatory disease conditions.

Teitelbaum, Steven

Pathology & Immunology

Our laboratory has focused on the mechanisms by which the osteoclast differentiates and degrades bone and has contributed substantially to identifying new molecular targets for treating pathological bone loss. Because of the skeletal complications of diabetes and obesity which are major components of the epidemic metabolic syndrome, our interests recently turned to the relationship of bone and fat. We are uniquely positioned to define the relationship of bone and the metabolic syndrome and develop a potential strategy for obesity prevention by enhancing energy consumption.

Tripathy, Sandeep

Gastroenterology

My laboratory is interested in studying the mechanism(s) by which activation receptor engagement on NK cells results in their hyporesponsiveness/tolerance and the role this plays in NK cell adaptation to their environment as well as their response to tumors. I have developed several tools necessary to study NK cell tolerance (including monoclonal antibodies and transgenic mice).

Unanue, Emil

Pathology & Immunology

My research centers on examining the biochemistry and biology of antigen presentation with a major focus on diabetic autoimmunity. We are defining the structure and features of autoantigens and the early cellular changes that initiate the diabetic autoimmune process.

Van Dyken, Steven

Pathology and Immunology

Interested in type 2 immunity, fibrosis, tissue inflammation, and cytokines.

Varga, John

I have a long-standing interest in patient-relevant research of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and related fibrotic conditions. My laboratory was the first to identify TGF-ß as a fundamental molecular mediator of fibrosis. To expedite translational research, I founded and direct the multidisciplinary Northwestern Scleroderma Program supported by an extensive biorepository with DNA, RNA, plasma and skin biopsies linked to data-rich electronic medical records for over 1,200 SSc patients.

Veis, Deborah

Bone & Mineral Diseases

My lab studies mechanisms of pathological bone loss.  Most work has focused on the study of osteoclasts, the cells that resorb/remove bone to allow normal bone turnover. Our ultimate goal is to guide the development of therapies that preserve bone structure and function while effectively targeting tumor and immune cells.

Ward, Jeffrey

Medical Oncology

The goal of my research is to identify tumor-specific mutant antigens (TSMA) that elicit an immune response by cytotoxic T-cells (CTL) and CD4+ helper T-cells (TH) in order to define a response that can be manipulated with tumor vaccines and checkpoint blockade immunotherapy.

Watson, Mark

Pathology & Immunology

I direct several institutional and national biospecimen banking efforts, mostly in the context of cancer therapeutic trials. Using the resources available through the CAP-accredited, Siteman Cancer Center Tissue Procurement Facility. My research laboratory is interested in identifying the genomic alterations that contribute to tumor cell metastasis in breast and lung cancer, with the goal of developing advanced genome-based diagnostics to detect, classify, and eradicate metastatic tumor cells to improve long-term patient outcome.

Wencewicz, Timothy

Chemistry

Interested in the development of targeted therapeutic and imaging agents related broadly to infectious diseases.

Yokoyama, Wayne

Rheumatology

I am a basic immunologist focused on three major lines of work. 1) We have been studying the molecular and genetic basis of natural killer (NK) cell recognition of their cellular targets, such as tumor and virus-infected cells. 2) We have also contributed to understanding of immune responses to viruses by studying the natural pathogens of mice, murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV), cowpox virus (CPXV), and most recently murine roseolovirus. 3) Recently, we have directly studied the immunology of human diseases and cells, including inflammatory diseases and rheumatic syndromes caused by viral infections.