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As a neurologist and rheumatologist, my research has focused on elucidating clinical features, mechanisms, and treatment for patients with neurological complications of rheumatic diseases. In particular, we have identified under-recognized neurological phenotypes (i.e. small-fiber neuropathies and subtypes of demyelinating syndromes), defined how such neurological phenotypes may be associated with novel biomarkers (anti-neuronal antibodies and neuroimaging strategies), and powerfully leveraged these studies to develop new diagnostic and treatment approaches.
I am also an author focusing on how patient language can help illuminate diagnostic and treatment opportunities that may be overlooked by physicians. I have an upcoming book (Johns Hopkins Press) devoted to autoimmune diseases, emphasizing how the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases can be presented to patients in informative, stimulating, and even enjoyable ways. Therefore, I have an interest in teaching trainees how the metaphors and narratives that patients use to describe pain can be used as hypothesis-driven strategies to define mechanisms and treatment in autoimmune diseases.
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