The field of rheumatology presents a unique challenge because of the thought processes involved in making decisions and diagnoses. During my fellowship training and as part of obtaining my master's degree, I discovered a profound lack of high-quality research studies in pediatric uveitis. Now, I dedicate my research to improving the visual outcomes of children with chronic, noninfectious uveitis using interventions that decrease vision loss and blindness.
In the past, there were no valid measures of uveitis outcomes, which led to my development of the only questionnaire that assesses vision-related function and quality of life in children with the condition. The Effects of Youngsters Eyesight on QOL (EYE-Q) is now part of clinical outcome measurements used to characterize the impact of uveitis on children's lives.
Through my research, I identify risk factors for uveitis development, specifically in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. I accomplish this by discovering biomarkers in tears and by using genetic associations.
I work to standardize the approach clinicians use to evaluate uveitis outcomes, including assessments of the impact of uveitis on quality of life and functioning. This information then helps improve treatment outcomes.
Throughout my career, I have received several grants from organizations like Cincinnati Children's, the National Institutes of Health, and other ophthalmology and rheumatology foundations. In my continuing work, I lead initiatives to improve screening, monitoring and treatment of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and uveitis.
MD: University of Santo Tomas.
Residency: University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL.
Fellowship: Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY.
MS in Clinical Investigation: Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Cornell University, New York, NY.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis; juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis; chronic pediatric non-infectious uveitis
Uveitis; juvenile idiopathic arthritis; biomarkers; visual outcomes; quality of life
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Long-term safety of canakinumab in patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis: 5-year results from the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) registry. Pediatric Rheumatology Online Journal. 2025; 23:105.
Disease activity at two consecutive registry visits and subsequent medication escalation for patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in the CARRA registry. Pediatric Rheumatology Online Journal. 2025; 23:77.
Monitoring of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis-Associated Uveitis in Long-Term Disease Remission: Consensus-Based Recommendations From the Multinational Interdisciplinary Working Group for Uveitis in Childhood. Arthritis Care and Research. 2025; 77:1106-1111.
Disease activity trajectories in paediatric lupus and associations with socioeconomic factors and patient-reported pain. Lupus Science and Medicine. 2025; 12:e001521.
Physician's global assessment of disease activity in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: consensus-based recommendations from an international task force. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 2025; 84:1425-1436.
116 Clinical characteristics and quality of life measures in children with glaucoma suspect or glaucoma diagnoses in chronic, non-infectious uveitis. Journal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. 2025; 29:104398.
Genetic Inflammatory Diseases with Ocular Involvement. Genetic Diseases of the Eye. : Oxford University Press (OUP); Oxford University Press (OUP); 2025.
POS0295 RELATIONSHIP AMONG A PEDIATRIC-SPECIFIC ULTRASOUND SCORING SYSTEM FOR THE EVALUATION OF ARTHRITIS AND BIOLOGIC MARKERS OF INFLAMMATION. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 2025; 84:556.
Candidate Tear-Based Uveitis Biomarkers in Children with JIA Based on Arthritis Activity and Topical Corticosteroid Use. Ocular Immunology and Inflammation (Informa). 2025; 33:603-612.
25 Years of Biologics for the Treatment of Pediatric Rheumatic Disease: Advances in Prognosis and Ongoing Challenges. Arthritis Care and Research. 2025; 77:573-583.
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