Rheumatology Working Group
Nirmal K. Banda, PhD
Professor, Rheumatology
Dr. Banda has maintained a prominent lab in the division of Rheumatology for over 20 years. His research focuses on the role of complement in anti-collagen antibody induced arthritis, Ross River virus-induced arthritis, streptococcal cell wall-induced arthritis, collagen-induced arthritis, and a link between rheumatoid arthritis and age-related macular degeneration. In collaboration with our colleagues at Stanford University, Dr. Banda initiated studies regarding destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) mouse model of Osteoarthritis (OA) which was published in Nature Medicine.
Adam Berlinberg, MD
Fellow, Rheumatology
Dr. Berlinberg's research interests lie in the pathogenesis of spondyloarthritis, and the connection between the gut microbiome and establishment of disease. In particular, he has a primary interest in psoriasis, and the mechanisms in which patients develop psoriatic arthritis.
Kevin Deane, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Rheumatology
Dr. Deane’s research is focused on the period of time of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) development prior to the appearance of inflammatory arthritis. He is particularly interested in studying how processes such as mucosal inflammation may drive the development of RA, very early joint disease in RA and clinical trials in the prevention of RA.
Kristine Kuhn, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Rheumatology
Dr. Kuhn’s research program focuses upon understanding mechanistic connections between the gut mucosa and joints in the development of spondyloarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. She is funded through the NIH and multiple other organizations and an active leader in the Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network and American College of Rheumatology.
Colin Strickland, MD
Associate Professor, Radiology