Assistant Professor of Medicine

• M.D.: Karls-Ruprecht University Heidelberg, Germany 1997
• Internship and Residency: University of Massachusetts, Worcester MA 2003
• Post-doctoral Fellowship: Johns Hopkins University, Rheumatology

Dr. Grader-Beck is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Rheumatology Division.  His research interests include systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren’s syndrome.  The pathogenesis of SLE and Sjogren’s syndrome, two closely related and common systemic autoimmune diseases, remains unknown. Antibodies that target self-molecules (autoantibodies) are thought to play an important role in the disease process. Dr. Grader-Beck’s laboratory is investigating mechanisms that may render self-structures immunogenic and hypothesizes that specific posttranslational modifications of antigens that may occur during infections or malignant transformation lead to expression of neoepitopes that propagate autoimmunity in the right setting. By combining studies using a variety of mouse strains, specific gene-deficient mice as well as human biological specimens, Dr. Grader-Beck’s team is taking a translational approach to answer these questions.

Dr. Grader-Beck’s clinical interests include systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren’s syndrome, with emphasis on complex patients that are difficult to treat, as well as patients with vaginal sicca.

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