Jared Graham, PhD, a post-doctoral research associate in the UNMC Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, has been named a recipient of the 2025 Gary S. Gilkeson Career Development Award from the Lupus Foundation of America.
Dr. Graham works in the laboratory of Karen Gould, PhD, professor of genetics, cell biology and anatomy and interim dean for UNMC Graduate Studies.
“Dr. Graham’s outstanding technical expertise in immunology and molecular biology and his commitment to lupus research that advances our understanding and brings us closer to improved therapies make him an ideal recipient of this prestigious award,” Dr. Gould said.
The award includes a two-year grant supporting critical lupus research conducted by early career scientists and provides mentorship to guide their studies and help ensure future growth in the lupus research field.
With the support of the grant funding, Dr. Graham will study a protein called SHP-2 to see how it may cause the immune system to get confused in lupus and start attacking healthy cells by mistake.
“In people with lupus, certain immune cells known as B cells can become overactive and make ‘autoantibodies’ that attack the body’s own tissues. While SHP-2 has been studied in T cells, its role in B cells and autoimmunity remains unclear,” Dr. Graham said.
By learning how this protein affects T cells and B cells, Dr. Graham hopes to uncover new treatment pathways that may be able to mitigate the production of harmful autoantibodies that drive the development of lupus and its symptoms.
“I joined Dr. Gould’s lab in 2017 and began this path in lupus research. It’s incredibly rewarding to see this work continue to evolve and unravel as we discover more. I want to thank the Lupus Foundation of America for this opportunity as well as Dr. Karen Gould for her continued mentorship.”