Research is a major priority of the Division of Rheumatology at WashU Medicine. Our laboratories are working to advance fundamental knowledge of human biology and disease, and our clinicians are conducting numerous clinical trials and epidemiological studies.
Ongoing basic and translational science efforts includes studies of complement, natural killer and other innate lymphoid cells, T-cell biology and mucosal immunology, chikungunya viral arthritis, lupus, innate and adaptive immunity, nanotherapies for rheumatoid arthritis, and human genetics. Clinical research efforts include clincial trials and epidemiological studies of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Deepali Sen, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Research Interests: Lupus, clinical trials
Medical School: Seth G. S. Medical College, University of Mumbai, India (2003)
Residency: King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India (2003)
Residency: Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, New Jersey (2010)
Akhil Sood MD, MS
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Research Interests: Epidemiology & Outcomes, Quality of Care, Lupus
Joy Um, MD
Medical School: Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
Residency: MetroHealth Medical Center/Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, Ohio
Fellowship: Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (2023-2026)
Xiaobo Wu, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Wayne Yokoyama, MD
Sam J. Levin and Audrey Loew Levin Professor of Medicine
Research Interests: Natural killer cells, innate lymphoid cells, autoimmunity
Fang “Roseanne” Zhao, MD, PhD
Instructor in Medicine
Medical School: University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
Graduate School: University of Cambridge and the National Institute of Health, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Residency: BJH/Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
Fellowship: Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (2018-2021)