Overview
I have spent my career caring for children with autoimmune disorders and immune dysfunction. I have focused my work caring for children with juvenile dermatomyositis and auto inflammatory disorders. I have overseen a research program for 24 years studying the genetics and cause of human autoimmune disease, focused on dermatomyositis in children and adults. The long-term goal of my research team is to develop new biomarkers of diseases to identify those predisposed to develop disease, as well as monitor disease activity and response to treatment. My team makes extensive use of genomics, gene expression, protein expression and immunohistochemical techniques to study the inflammatory and non-inflammatory aspects of dermatomyositis diseases. Other autoimmune disease processes, including systemic lupus and vasculitis, have been focused on as well.
Current Duke Appointments & Affiliations
Samuel L. Katz Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics
·
2018 - Present
Pediatrics,
Clinical Science Departments
Professor of Pediatrics
·
2014 - Present
Pediatrics,
Clinical Science Departments
Recent Scholarly Works
Compensation Benchmarks and Assigned Support for Leadership Positions in Academic Departments of Pediatrics.
Journal article J Pediatr · August 2026 Full text Link to item CiteSystematic Literature Review Informing Paediatric Rheumatology European Society/Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance-Endorsed Recommendations for the Treat-to-Target Strategy in Juvenile Dermatomyositis.
Journal article J Rheumatol · June 15, 2026 OBJECTIVE: To seek current evidence in support of the adoption of the treat-to-target (T2T) strategy in the management of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). METHODS: A systematic literature review (SLR) was performed to address 14 research questions formulate ... Full text Link to item CiteTemporal Dynamics of Vaccine Uptake: Perceptual and Social Drivers of Adoption Speed Across Innovation Diffusion Curve.
Journal article Microorganisms · May 7, 2026 The effectiveness of infection prevention depends on not only uptake but also the timing of adoption. Vaccination studies typically treat uptake as binary, overlooking when while investigating why individuals get vaccinated. Using the novel mRNA COVID-19 v ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Using Bioengineered Human Muscle to Develop Treatments for Juvenile Dermatomyositis
ResearchCollaborator · Awarded by Hartwell Foundation · 2025 - 2028Duke Center for Advancement of Child Health (CAtCH).
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development · 2021 - 2027An Invitation to Support the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by Mario Family Foundation · 2022 - 2026View All Grants
Education
Medical College of Ohio ·
1984
M.D.