Current Research and Scholarly Interests
The major emphasis of my early translational work was understanding the role of cytokines and cytokine inhibitors in immune and autoimmune diseases. With the emergence of anti-cytokine therapies become available clinically in the early 2000's, I pivoted to focusing on clinical research and trials. I have been a founder, leader and active researcher of the pediatric rheumatology research network (Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance -CARRA) in 2002. CARRA now includes the vast majority of practicing pediatric rheumatologists and trainees in the US and Canada with over 500 members and 110 sites. The network supports a broad variety of clinical, epidemiologic, translational research, biospecimen repository and clinical trials, with multiple funding sources from NIH, Arthritis Foundation, not-for-for profit foundations and biopharma. I am currently the Chair of the Board of Directors of CARRA Inc which is now the largest investigator-initiated research network in pediatric rheumatology.
In the last 12 years, I have expanded my scholarly work to address the critical intersection between patient and family-centered care and related areas of faculty and trainee career development and mentoring, and wellbeing and professional fulfillment for physicians and the entire clinical team. To enhance our ability to provide the safest, highest quality care with the best outcomes and experience, we must both partner with patients and families and ensure the highest well-being, resilience and professional fulfillment in our workforce. Critical areas for my focus have been addressing health inequities and disparities at SCH and promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and justice throughout the organization.
