#United States #Washington #Gina Finzi Fellowship #Lupus Foundation of America #Lupus Research

Lupus Foundation of America Honors Seven Innovators with Fellowship Grants for Research Advancement

On June 5, 2025, the Lupus Foundation of America proudly recognized seven distinguished recipients of the 2025 Gina M. Finzi Memorial Student Summer Fellowship Program. This initiative aims to support undergraduate, graduate, and medical students involved in lupus research, offering them a platform to develop their skills under the mentorship of experienced scholars within leading academic institutions across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Purpose of the Summer Fellowship

The fellowship enriches students’ academic journeys by inspiring them to explore the complexities of lupus, an autoimmune disease marked by its unpredictability and severity. This year’s fellows are tasked with addressing pressing questions in lupus research, delving into areas ranging from skin lesions and central nervous system impacts to the psychological effects of chronic stress on management behaviors in patients.

Current Research Focus Areas

Among the investigations supported by this fellowship are:

• - Healing Skin Lesions: Understanding the biological processes involved in the recovery of lupus-induced skin damage.
• - Neurological Impacts: Exploring the effects of lupus on the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, including structural and functional changes.
• - Mental Health Considerations: Assessing the relationship between chronic stress from societal expectations and its implications for patient self-management.
• - Lupus Nephritis: Investigating biological and social factors contributing to kidney disease linked with lupus.
• - Diet and Immunology: Examining how dietary components, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, affect immune responses and disease activity, alongside the nutritional influence on symptoms.
• - Genetic Risk Factors: Analyzing gene variations on the X chromosome that may elevate the risk of lupus, particularly among women.

Importance of Mentorship

Dr. Montserrat Anguera, Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania and a mentor for this year’s Finzi Fellows, emphasized the significance of mentorship in cultivating young scientists. With guidance from seasoned researchers, students gain invaluable insights and experiences that pave the way for future breakthroughs in lupus research and treatment.

Established in 1984, the Gina M. Finzi Memorial Student Summer Fellowship Program was initiated in memory of Gina M. Finzi, the daughter of the former Lupus Foundation of America President, Dr. Sergio Finzi. Many alumni of this program have emerged as leaders in lupus research, contributing to groundbreaking studies that advance understanding and treatment of the disease.

Investing in the Future of Lupus Research

Joy Buie, Vice President of Research at the Lupus Foundation of America, acknowledged the potential of the fellows, remarking that they embody the future of lupus research. Their work is essential not only for advancing knowledge but also for addressing the significant gaps in lupus diagnosis and care. The fellowship serves as a catalyst for fostering innovative thinking and promoting research careers focused on chronic diseases like lupus.

Profiles of the 2025 Finzi Fellows

The seven fellows and their projects are:
1. Grace Crossland (Dartmouth College): Investigating the role of mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells in cutaneous lupus erythematosus, under the mentorship of Dr. Sladjana Skopelja-Gardner.
2. Vanessa Estrada (Michigan State University): Exploring the impact of omega-3 fatty acids on interferon gene methylation in lupus macrophages, guided by Dr. James J. Pestka.
3. Rohan Gupta (Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research): Researching the role of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE), mentored by Dr. Betty Diamond.
4. Jerik Leung (Emory University): Utilizing photovoice to understand self-management behaviors in lupus patients, with mentors Dr. S. Sam Lim and Dr. Cam Escoffery.
5. Sara Smith (University of California, San Francisco): Uncovering molecular mechanisms underlying lupus nephritis through multi-omic analysis, mentored by Dr. Gabriela K. Fragiadakis.
6. Emma Welter (University of Pennsylvania): Investigating lupus-like diseases and their impact on inactive X chromosomes in age-associated B cells, supervised by Dr. Montserrat Anguera.
7. Jin Xuan Zhou (Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto): Assessing diffusion tensor imaging metrics and neurocognitive functions in children with systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE), under Dr. Andrea Knight.

This fellowship is a vital investment in the future of lupus research and signifies a commitment to advance understanding and support for all those affected by this complex disease.