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Stephen Joseph Balevic

Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Pediatrics, Rheumatology
2301 Erwin Rd, Durham, NC 27710
2301 Erwin Rd, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


I am an Adult and Pediatric Rheumatologist and care for patients with a wide variety of autoimmune and rheumatic diseases, including: systemic lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis, vasculitis, and sarcoidosis, among others. I have a special interest in using musculoskeletal ultrasound to optimize diagnosis and treatment decisions at the bedside.

I am also a clinical researcher at the Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI). My research interests are in clinical trials and precision medicine through population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling. I obtained my PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. I serve as the principal investigator on several grants studying hydroxychloroquine and azathioprine pharmacokinetics and exposure-response in lupus, as well as principal investigator or co-investigator for several clinical trials at the DCRI. Additionally, I am an Assistant Scientific Director for the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) Registry- the largest registry of children with rheumatic diseases in North America.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor of Pediatrics · 2022 - Present Pediatrics, Rheumatology, Pediatrics
Associate Professor of Medicine · 2022 - Present Medicine, Rheumatology and Immunology, Medicine
Member in the Duke Clinical Research Institute · 2018 - Present Duke Clinical Research Institute, Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published September 22, 2020
DCRI Launches First Direct-to-Family Study

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Recent Publications


Relationship between hydroxychloroquine blood levels and lupus activity through the lens of the type 1 and type 2 lupus model: a cross-sectional study.

Journal Article Lupus Sci Med · June 30, 2025 INTRODUCTION: In the type 1 and 2 SLE model, inflammation mediates type 1 manifestations, but its role in type 2 manifestations (eg, fatigue, myalgias, mood disturbance, cognitive dysfunction) is less clear. Therapeutic hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) levels redu ... Full text Link to item Cite

Infliximab Pharmacokinetics, Dosing, and Response in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Secondary Analysis of a Multinational Randomized Clinical Trial (ACTIV-1 IM).

Journal Article J Clin Pharmacol · June 9, 2025 Infliximab may play an important role in reducing mortality in severe COVID-19, though optimal dosing is unknown. This secondary analysis of the ACTIV-1 IM trial characterized infliximab pharmacokinetics and outcomes in patients hospitalized with severe CO ... Full text Link to item Cite

Population Pharmacokinetics of Alfentanil in Children.

Journal Article J Clin Pharmacol · May 16, 2025 Alfentanil is an opioid analgesic and anesthetic agent used in surgical procedures. Despite its widespread use in children, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration label lacks specific dosing recommendations for those under 12 years. A population pharmacokin ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Improving Neonatal health Through Rapid malaria testing in Early Pregnancy with high-sensitivity Diagnostics (INTREPiD)

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2022 - 2027

PTN 2.0 TO #11: CUDDLE 2.0

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2021 - 2026

Duke-UNC Collaborative Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology Postdoctoral Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2021 - 2026

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · 2022 Ph.D.
Duke University, School of Medicine · 2018 M.H.S.
Marshall University · 2010 M.D.