When people support medical research, it can sometimes be hard to see where that support goes. Research can sound distant from everyday life, like something that happens in labs, hospitals, meetings, or data systems far away from the patient. But for a kid living with a pediatric rheumatic disease, research is not distant at all. …
Imagine experiencing a family vacation of a lifetime in the Dubai desert, under the glistening moon lit starry night. Surrounded by bright colored blanketed chairs and sparkling belly dances as your family eagerly awaited fresh chicken kebabs to be served. A little girl walking by, stops next to my daughter, reaches out and touches her …
Andrew Kung is a current third-year pediatric rheumatology fellow at Penn State Children’s Health. His interest in pediatric rheumatology first developed during residency while caring for patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) and macrophage activation syndrome. One experience in particular helped solidify his path into the field. After suggesting the diagnosis of systemic JIA …
Families living with childhood lupus have powerful allies in LADA and CARRA. The Lupus and Allied Diseases Association, Inc. (LADA) and the Childhood Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) have a research partnership and a shared commitment to advancing childhood lupus research, from discoveries that could pave the way for targeted therapies to new approaches to managing …
The Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 CARRA Community Awards. The awards, which were presented at CARRA’s Annual Scientific Meeting this month, honor people who have made outstanding achievements in advancing pediatric rheumatology research and played important roles in the CARRA community. This year’s winners …
Farzana Nuruzzaman, MD, FACR, is a clinical pediatric rheumatologist based in Stony Brook, New York, where she practices at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. She is part of a small but dedicated pediatric rheumatology team and is deeply engaged in both patient care and collaborative research. Dr. Nuruzzaman’s path to pediatric rheumatology began during her residency …
Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and now living in Morgantown, West Virginia, Mckenna Bowes has turned her personal journey with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) into a lifelong mission to advance research, improve patient care, and empower others living with pediatric rheumatic diseases. A Journey of Strength and Purpose Mckenna was diagnosed with lupus in 2019 at …
Miriah Gillispie-Taylor, MD, is a dedicated and dynamic pediatric rheumatologist based in Houston, Texas. Dr. Taylor is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, where she plays a vital role in both patient care and medical education. Beyond her clinical responsibilities, Dr. Taylor is deeply invested in educating the next generation of …
Lawrence Ng is a current Research and Healthcare Professional member of CARRA. He works as a Clinical Research Project Manager at SickKids Hospital in Toronto, Canada, where he combines scientific expertise, personal dedication, and a strong commitment to patient-centered care. His work spans a wide range of pediatric rheumatology research initiatives, including co-managing a lupus …