Research Interests
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a common, debilitating autoimmune disease in which components of the body’s own cells are targeted and attacked by the immune system. The origins of the disease are still unclear, but it is known that genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors are all involved in causing lupus. We are studying the interactions of genetic risk factor and the putative environmental factor Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Considerable evidence indicates that EBV infection is associated with lupus. The major question with this finding is that nearly everyone has been infected with EBV, while very few of those people will go on to develop lupus. The genetic background of the person may play a key role in deciding the outcome of the infection.Although there is a strong genetic component to lupus, not much is known about how genes influence the development of the disease. We are focusing on lupus-associated variations in different genes. Through studying these interactions, we hope to identify markers for people who are at high risk for lupus, and early indicators that autoimmunity is developing. Early intervention in the disease has shown promise in slowing its effects.
We have also expanded our research to include vaccination, and the reasons for vaccine hesitancy or acceptance.
Education
- Ph.D., , Pennsylvania State University (2004)
- B.S., Microbiology , Brigham Young University (1999)
Honors and Awards
- Distinguished HPV Cancer Prevention Investigator, Mountain West HPV Vaccination Coalition (2023 - 2023)
- Best Paper Award 2022, Vaccines/MDPI (2022 - 2022)
- Alcuin Fellow, BYU Honors (2017 - 2019)
- College Outstanding Teaching Award, College of Life Sciences (2018 - 2018)
- Phi Kappa Phi Election, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society (2018 - 2018)
- Research Recognition Award, Lupus Foundation of America-Utah Chapter (2017 - 2017)
- Fulbright Scholar, Fulbright Organization (2016 - 2016)
- Research Recognition, Lupus Foundation of America, Utah Chapter (2010 - 2010)
Memberships
- American College of Rheumatology (2012 - Present)
Professional Citizenship
- Grant Proposal Reviewer, External, Austrian Science Fund (2023 - 2023)
- Editor, Associate Editor, Vaccines Journal (2021 - 2023)
- Grant Proposal Reviewer, External, Fulbright Organization (2019 - 2023)
- Guest Speaker, National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian Ad Litum Association for Children (2021 - 2021)
- Reviewer, Ad Hoc Reviewer, Hong Kong Food and Health Bureau (2020 - 2021)
- Publications-outreach, BYU Public Health (2020 - 2020)
- Grant Proposal Reviewer, External, CDRMP/Department of Defense (2020 - 2020)
- Grant Proposal Reviewer, External, Hong Kong Food and Health Bureau (2020 - 2020)
- Other, Peterson for Utah (2020 - 2020)
- Grant Proposal Reviewer, External, Binational Fulbright Commision in Egypt (2020 - 2020)
- Publications-outreach, Brigham Young University (2020 - 2020)
- Guest Speaker, Lupus foundation of America Utah Chapter (2020 - 2020)
- Committee/Council Chair, Lupus Foundation of America, Utah Chapter (2016 - 2019)
- Grant Proposal Reviewer, External, CDRPM/Department of Defense (2019 - 2019)
- Grant Proposal Reviewer, External, CDMRP (Department of Defense Grant organization) (2016 - 2016)
- Reviewer, Ad Hoc Reviewer, ORCA grant reviewer (2009 - 2011)
- Editor, Associate Editor, Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology (2009 - 2011)
- Reviewer, Ad Hoc Reviewer, MEG grant reviewer (2008 - 2009)
- Reviewer, Ad Hoc Reviewer, ORCA grant reviewer (2008 - 2009)