Autoimmune diseases can strike any part of the body. Because the symptoms vary widely, they are allocated to different medical specialties based on the organ system immediately affected. Yet, the basic principles governing one autoimmune disease are applicable to others, and treatments applied to one autoimmune disease may be useful in others. Therefore, the primary goal of the Autoimmune Diseases Track is to expose the student to basic and/or clinical immunological aspects of autoimmunity. The Autoimmune Diseases track offers a curriculum that will enable the student to:
- Develop an appreciation of research in autoimmune and musculoskeletal diseases through projects currently performed in the Section of Rheumatology (Alcoholic Liver Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Atherosclerosis, and other allied conditions).
- Acquire the clinical and research skills that will help the student throughout his/her future medical career.
- Develop the ability to critically evaluate research (including the medical literature) and its application to medicine.
- Gain insight into the process by which research is performed (including; the ethical conduct of research, protocol design, study implementation, data collection and analysis, report generation, and administrative issues).
- Develop a more in depth understanding of immunology; specifically, autoimmune disease.
For more information contact:
James R. O’Dell, M.D.
Phone: (402) 559-7288
e-mail: jrodell@unmc.edu
Geoffrey M. Thiele, Ph.D
Phone: (402) 995-3550
e-mail: gthiele@unmc.edu
