OADR-ORWH ScienceTALKS
Going Viral: Exploring Viral Triggers of Autoimmune Diseases
Date and Time
– August 27, 2024, 12:00 PM EDTVirtual only.
Event Information
The purpose of the OADR-ORWH ScienceTALKS series is to examine the state of the science in specific areas affecting the research of autoimmune disease and women’s health. This session of ScienceTALKS will bring together experts to generate discussion and identify opportunities to advance research as it pertains to viral triggers of autoimmune diseases.
Target Audience: This session is designed for a scientific audience with an interest in autoimmune disease research. The event is open to the public, but its scientific discussions may not be tailored for a general audience.
Speakers
 | Judith A. James, M.D., Ph.D. Judith A. James, M.D., Ph.D., is a fifth-generation Oklahoman who has dedicated her career to understanding autoimmune diseases and improving the health of Oklahomans. As chief medical officer, Dr. James oversees all clinical activities at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), which treats and conducts clinical research involving thousands of patients suffering from lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and other autoimmune diseases. A board-certified rheumatologist and internationally acclaimed researcher, she is best known for her work in the prediction and prevention of the autoimmune disease, lupus. Her research has resulted in OMRF being named a National Institutes of Health Autoimmunity Center of Excellence, one of only eight nationwide. Dr. James has published more than 330 articles and is the principal investigator for numerous National Institutes of Health-funded grants. She leads national consortia focused on finding better directed therapies for patients with autoimmune diseases. |
 | William H. Robinson, M.D., Ph.D. William H. Robinson, M.D., Ph.D., serves as chief of the Division of Immunology and Rheumatology at Stanford University. Dr. Robinson’s laboratory aims to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying autoimmune diseases and to leverage these insights to develop next-generation diagnostics and therapeutics. One major line of research in his laboratory focuses on autoimmunity, including defining the role of the Epstein-Barr virus in the initiation and progression of multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus, investigating the role of B cells in autoimmune disease, and defining the role of mucosal breaks of bacteria in rheumatoid arthritis and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody vasculitis. Another research focus area in his laboratory investigates innate immune mechanisms that mediate osteoarthritis. Dr. Robinson draws on his experiences as a researcher, clinician, and entrepreneur to lead researchers and clinicians to decipher the mechanisms underlying pathogenic and protective immune responses and to turn scientific discoveries into tomorrow’s transformative solutions. |
 | Marian Rewers, M.D., Ph.D. Marian Rewers, M.D., Ph.D., joined the faculty of the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes in 2000 as clinical director and has served as executive director of the Center since 2012. His primary research is in the etiology/epidemiology of type 1 diabetes (T1D), as well as in insulin resistance and cardiovascular complications of both type 1 and 2 diabetes. Dr. Rewers has been the principal investigator of several large NIH-funded projects: The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY), the Diabetes Autoimmunity Study in the Young (DAISY), and the Celiac Disease Autoimmunity Research (CEDAR). These prospective cohort studies expanded our knowledge of the causes and risks of autoimmunity. To translate these results to public health and prevention, Dr. Rewers initiated Autoimmunity Screening for Kids (ASK), which is supported by the Breakthrough T1D and Helmsley Charitable Trust. ASK screens general population children ages 1–17 for presymptomatic T1D and celiac disease, provides education to prevent delayed diagnosis and complications, and facilitates access to prevention trials. Dr. Rewers has also studied the development of cardiovascular disease in T1D in a large longitudinal study, the Coronary Artery Calcification in Type 1 (CACTI). This study had basic research omics components that evaluated the underlying pathophysiology of T1D and its complications as well as clinical translational and epidemiology components that provided opportunities for investigation across the spectrum of T1D research. |
Agenda
Agenda
| 10:00 – 10:05 a.m. | Welcome and Opening Remarks | Victoria Shanmugam, MBBS, MRCP, FACR, CCD Director NIH Office of Autoimmune Disease Research in the Office of Research on Women’s Health |
| 10:05 – 10:35 a.m. | Viral Exposures as a Driver of Autoimmune Diseases | Judith A. James, M.D., Ph.D. Executive Vice President & Chief Medical Officer, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) Professor and Program Chair, Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program, OMRF Member, National Academy of Medicine Lou C. Kerr Endowed Chair in Biomedical Research, OMRF Associate Vice Provost for Clinical & Translational Science, George Lynn Cross Professor of Research, Professor of Medicine, Professor of Pathology, Adjunct Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center |
| 10:35 – 11:05 a.m. | Epstein-Barr Virus and Multiple Sclerosis | William H. Robinson, M.D., Ph.D. James W. Raitt Professor of Medicine Chief, Division of Immunology & Rheumatology Professor of Medicine, Immunology & Rheumatology Stanford University |
| 11:05 – 11:35 a.m. | TEDDY Study: Viral Triggers or Drivers of Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease? | Marian Rewers, M.D., Ph.D. Professor, Pediatrics & Medicine Executive Director, Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus |
| 11:35 – 11:55 a.m. | Panel Question and Answer | Judith A. James, M.D., Ph.D. Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation William H. Robinson, M.D., Ph.D. Stanford University Marian Rewers, M.D., Ph.D. University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Moderators: Beena Akolkar, Ph.D. Senior Advisor, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, & Metabolic Diseases, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases Mireia Guerau, Ph.D. Program Officer, Autoimmunity and Mucosal Immunology Branch, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases |
| 11:55 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Closing Remarks | |
Special Accommodations
Sign language interpreting services are available upon request. Individuals who need interpreting services and/or other reasonable accommodations to participate in this event should email OADRInfo@nih.gov. Requests should be made at least five business days in advance of the event.
Videocast
Watch the videocast below or view it in fullscreen here.