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Kathleen E. Sullivan, MD, PhD
Chief, Division of Allergy and Immunology
Dr. Sullivan's research focuses on new and rare immunodeficiencies. She has a long-standing interest in one of the most common of the primary immunodeficiencies – chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. She also investigates common variable immunodeficiency, as well as the genetics and epigenetics of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Bio
With respect to her research on chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, Dr. Sullivan and her colleagues are investigating the dynamics underlying the process by which immunoglobulin levels and the antibody function decline in adulthood for some patients. The team is working to develop testing for early identification of patients who have impending humoral dysfunction.
Dr. Sullivan's research interest also include the poorly understand and late-onset common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). She has a particular interest in developing a process for risk stratifying patients and defining clinical outcomes.
Dr. Sullivan sees patients in the Center for Very Early Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease. A subset of patients have an underlying immunodeficiency and benefit from therapy targeted to their specific genetic type of inflammatory bowel disease.
In addition, Dr. Sullivan's research on autoimmunity and inflammation has been primarily directed at understanding the epigenetics of systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune/inflammatory diseases. Along with her colleagues, and using analytical tools like ChIP-seq and RNA-seq, Dr. Sullivan has found broadly altered packaging of DNA with some genes repressed inappropriately and some genes derepressed. The team believes a cure relies on ultimately re-setting the epigenome.
Education and Training
BA, Johns Hopkins University (Biophysics), 1980
MA, Johns Hopkins University (Biophysics), 1980
PhD, University of California, San Francisco (Immunology/Biochemistry), 1987
MD, University of California, San Francisco, 1988
Titles and Academic Titles
Chief, Division of Allergy and Immunology
Co-Leader, Immune Dysregulation Frontier Program
Professor of Pediatrics
Professional Memberships
Immune Deficiency Foundation, Consulting Immunologist, 2008-
AAAAI Board of Directors, 2014-2019
National Societies
Clinical Immunology Society
American Academy of Science
American College of Rheumatology
American Association of Immunologists
Society for Pediatric Research
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Professional Awards
Lady Barbara Colyton Award for Excellence in Autoimmunity Research, University of Pennsylvania, 2005
Fellow, Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, 2007-
Distinguished Service Award, Clinical Immunology Society, 2011
Erwin Neter Award for Laboratory Immunology, 2011
Boyle Achievement Award, Immune Deficiency Foundation, 2017
Publication Highlights
PubMed:
Links of Interest
Epigenetics of Lupus (YouTube)