Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation - Student Fellowship Recipients

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Student Fellowship Recipients

The Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation partners with professional societies to generate greater awareness of and interest in Sjögren’s on the part of students pursuing careers in medical and scientific research.

Visit the Foundaton's main Student Fellowship page to learn more details about each Fellowship available.

Student Fellowship Recipients

2010	SSF-CLAO ERF Fellowship Award Winner Niral Gandhi, MD-Candidate Baylor College of Medicine Cullen Eye Institute Houston, Texas Activation of TGF-ß on the ocular surface in dry eye Abstract

2009	Paola Higham, DDS Resident in Oral Medicine & Geriatrics, MPH-Candidate University of Pennsylvania, School of Dentistry Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Impact and clinical significance of changes in salivary flow on quality of life in Sjogren’s syndrome Abstract Amirala Pasha, DO-candidate University of New England, Dept of Physiology College of Osteopathic Medicine Biddeford, Maine The effects of corneal cooling on tear production, blink rate and sensation Abstract Jagdeep Kour Raince, MD-candidate Baylor College of Medicine, Ophthalmology Dept Houston, Texas Regulated expression of IL-13 receptor by T cell cytokines modulates conjunctival goblet cell density Abstract Shi (Ben) Xu, PhD-candidate University of Southern California School of Pharmacy Los Angeles, California Rab11a in the transcytosis of polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (plgR) in lacrimal gland acinar cells Abstract

2008	Aileen Chang Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the diagnosis and treatment of Sjögren’s syndrome Abstract Shirley Mathews Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Arthritis and Immunology Program Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Free radical-mediated oxidative damage in the lacrimal and salivary glands of an animal model of Sjögren’s syndrome Abstract Cindy Tsau The Neurosciences Institute San Diego, California Regulation of lacrimal gland development and function by homeodomain transcription factor Barx2 Abstract

2007	Lilian Chiang University of Southern California, School of Pharmacy Modulation of tear protein secretion in the lacrimal gland Abstract James Roger, DDS and PhD candidate University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry Autoantibody characterization in salivary glands B cells in primary Sjögren's syndrome Abstract Lytia Fisher University of Pennsylvania Penn Presbyterian Medical Center Sjögren's syndrome research database Abstract

2006	Virginia Carroll, PhD candidate University of Virginia MCMV-Induced Sjögren’s Syndrome-like Disease Abstract

2005	Yaser Dorri Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Oklahoma City, OK Characterization of 4-hydroxy 2-nonenal modified proteins in Sjögren’s syndrome patient sera using two dimensional gel electrophoresis. Abstract

2004	Lisa Carol Olmos Baylor College of Medicine Dallas, TX Effect of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines on Junctional Complex Proteins in Cultured Human Corneal Epithelium Dry eye is associated with the breakdown in the function of the corneal epithelial barrier, but the mechanism for this breakdown has not been established. Olmos, a candidate for M.D. at Baylor, will investigate the potential role of inflammation-producing cytokines and enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases.

1999	Ali Fahimi University of Southern California School of Medicine Los Angeles, CA The mechanisms of lacrimal dysfunction in autoimmune dacryoadenitis Susie Kalinian Tufts University School of Dental Medicine Boston, MA The effectiveness of various toothbrush heads in reducing bacteria and increasing salivary flow in patients with normal salivary flow and in Sjögren's patients with dry mouth Bruno West University of Connecticut Health Center School of Medicine at Farmington Is autoimmune thyroid disease an early presentation in patients destined to develop Sjögren's syndrome?

1998	Ryan Grover University of Southern California School of Medicine Los Angeles, CA The effect of prolactin on lacrimal gland function and development of Sjögren's syndrome following removal of androgen support. Ramzi Azzam University of Southern California School of Medicine Los Angeles, CA Role of phospholipase D and protein kinase C in membrane trafficking

1997	Lisa Lu Temple University School of Dentistry Philadelphia, PA Cytotoxicity against salivary glands of 2 CD8+ clones isolated from NOD mice salivary glands Brittany Nguyen University of Chicago School of Medicine Chicago, IL The role of Ig-gamma in BCR signaling

1996	Jared Shore University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine Philadelphia, PA Use of salivary scintigraphy as a diagnostic aid for Sjögren's syndrome Ann Kvasnicka University of Southern California School of Medicine Los Angeles, CA The La (SSB) antigen in lacrimal gland acinar cells

1995	Maurice Berkowitz University of Southern California School of Medicine Los Angeles The Effects of Androgens on Lacrimal Cell Acini In Vitro Justin Burk Montefiore Medical Center/ Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NY Calreticulin involvement in nuclear transport in human endothelial cells Joshua Hickman University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine The exocrine and hepatic dysfunction in Sjögren's syndrome and chronic graft versus host disease Howard Kim University of Michigan Medical School Ann Arbor, MI Identification of putative CD6 ligands on peripheral blood and tissue antigen presenting cells

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Donate Today

The Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation partners with professional societies to generate greater awareness of and interest in Sjögren’s on the part of students pursuing careers in medical and scientific research.