Lupus Research Program
The U-M Medical School Lupus Program is home to world-class patient care, research endeavors, education, and training opportunities. Our multidisciplinary team of researchers and health care providers strive to develop the latest ides in lupus biology and bring them to the forefront of patient care. Since our program founding in 2007 we have led the way to improve patients’ lives.
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About the Program
Our comprehensive patient care environment extends from within the main medical campus to our satellite clinics around the area. We work to collaborate with out specialist physicians to assist in coordinating medical testing. Our outpatient facilities are designed and administered to ensure personal, professional, and attentive care for patients with lupus and related autoimmune diseases. Our interdisciplinary research and patient care conferences allow for multi-specialist input into disease management.
Our researchers are world-leaders in basic, translational, and clinical research. The program facilitates advances in the treatment of lupus by fostering continued development of an interdisciplinary group of physicians and physician scientist researchers focused on SLE and its impact. Clinical trial coordinators supported by the Lupus Program bring knowledge of available clinical trials to our patients to offer opportunities for the latest, most effective therapies.
Our program proudly serves as a resource for the training of physicians and medical students to better serve our community. A dedicated lupus clinical rotation for our fellows ensure we will continue to train the next generation of experts in lupus care.
Contact Us
300 North Ingalls Street, SPC 5422
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5422
Non-patient related calls only
Lupus Program Research
We are on the verge of a treatment revolution for lupus patients. Lupus in an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the body’s own immune system can harm healthy cells and tissues. This disorder can affect many body parts, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, blood vessels, lungs, and brain. Lupus patients can experience periods of wellness (remissions) and periods of active disease (flares). Permanent organ damage may result from both flares and the side effects of treatments. However, we can change this narrative!
The University of Michigan Lupus Program is dedicated to learning more about what causes lupus, how flares can be reduced or prevented, how to predict disease progression and activity, and how to prevent permanent organ damage. Research is critical to find new prevention and treatment strategies.
- Lab of J. Michelle Kahlenberg, MD, PhD – Learn more about Dr. Kahlenbergs’s research here
- Lab of Johann Gudjonsson, MD, PhD – Learn more about Dr. Gudjonsson’s research here
- Lab of Allison Billi, MD – Learn more about Dr. Billi’s research here
- Lab of Jason Knight, MD, PhD– Learn more about Dr. Knights’s research here
Clinical Trials:
Clinical trials assess new treatments or diagnostic tests. They help to achieve a better understanding of the disease that is being investigated and determine the effectiveness and safety of new treatments.
Our group is a member of the Lupus Clinical Investigators Network (LuCIN), a nation-wide team of lupus programs working to bring the most promising new therapies to lupus patients. We are a site for clinical trials for many different aspects of lupus, giving our patients the opportunity to receive promising new treatments or participate in new diagnostic procedures. Participation is completely voluntary. Please see below for a list of our current clinical trials
Observational Studies & Clinical Registries:
Observational studies are done to observe a patient’s disease, symptoms, and lived experience of their disease over time without introducing an intervention, such as a medication. Our program has multiple observational studies, and we welcome patients to participate at all stages of disease. Some of our observational studies involve participation in registries where samples of blood, urine, and/or skin may be collected on a voluntary basis. Many studies also include the collection of self-reported data to evaluate symptoms and impact on quality of life from the patient’s perspective.
Outreach & Engagement
- Conquer Lupus: A place were warriors and their communities can find resources for living with lupus.
- Event Spotlight: Ann Arbor Lupus Medical Symposium
Saturday, April 11, 2026
The Vanguard, Ann Arbor, MI
Meet our Team
The Lupus Program - led by Director, J. Michelle Kahlenberg, MD, PhD - consists of a multidisciplinary group of health care professionals. In addition to our rheumatologists, the program includes faculty from dermatology, hematology, nephrology, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry and pulmonology.
Program Leadership
J Michelle Kahlenberg MD, PhD
Associate Chair, Department of Internal Medicine
Professor of Internal Medicine and Professor of Dermatology
Medical School
Full Program Team
- Andrea Oliverio, MD, MSc
- Panduranga Rao
- Jeffrey Hodgin, MD, PhD
Patient Care
For Patients
- For our clinic information and more, please visit the Lupus Program section on UofMHealth.org
- Michigan Medicine Patient and Visitor Guide
For Physicians
- Michigan Lupus Epidemiology and Surveillance Program Longitudinal Cohort (MiLES) - Maintains the MiLES Longitudinal Cohort & Biobank, including lupus cases from the southeast Michigan surveillance registry as well as population-based controls
- M-Line - for referrals and consultation information
Support Our Work
Due to the generosity of our many strong supporters, the Lupus Program is able to continue its efforts to learn more about what causes lupus and discover new treatment options. Our donors are critical to moving lupus research forward.
How to Donate
To make a gift, please visit the below online giving pages:
Video: Meet Our Experts
Watch a video featuring our Lupus Program team of experts, who are committed to providing excellence in patient care and conducting cutting-edge research.
Featured News & Stories
Decoding mechanisms of photosensitivity in autoimmune diseases
Topical Mupirocin lowers lupus inflammation
