Joanne MICHELLE Kahlenberg, MD, PhD

Dr. J. Michelle Kahlenberg MD, PhD is a physician scientist and Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan. She completed her MD, PhD, and Internal Medicine training at Case Western Reserve University and completed her fellowship in Rheumatology at the University of Michigan. She joined the University of Michigan faculty in 2011, was appointed Assistant Professor in 2012, and was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2018. She has been running her own laboratory and has been an active member of the Immunology Training Program since 2013. Her clinical work is centered on the care of complicated lupus patients, including those with refractory skin disease. Her R01-funded research laboratory combines translational approaches using patient samples and murine models to uncover the mechanisms that drive lupus and lupus flares. In particular, she is focused on unraveling the pathogenic mechanisms in cutaneous lupus, the factors that drive photosensitivity, and how skin inflammation can influence systemic lupus activity. Her work has received institutional accolades and national recognition from the Arthritis National Research Foundation, The Rheumatology Research Foundation, American Society for Clinical Investigation and the Lupus Foundation of America. In her spare time, she enjoys organic gardening, working on the family farm EMMA Acres run by her husband, Mark, and spending time with her husband and children.

Rheumatology: Systemic lupus, cutaneous lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis

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Globally, I am interested in understanding how the innate immune system, specifically the inflammasome, impacts the development of autoimmune diseases and their subsequent complications. Currently, I am investigating how the inflammasome contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease in lupus and will be extending my studies to look at lupus nephritis.