05/10/2025
May 10 is World Lupus Day! 💜🦋
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack healthy tissues, leading to inflammation and damage to organs like the kidneys, heart, lungs, brain, and skin. It affects more than 5 million people worldwide and disproportionately impacts women and people of color. In fact, 9 out of 10 people with lupus are women, and Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American populations are more likely to develop more severe forms of the disease. 🦋
This is why our work matters.
In the Mathis Laboratory, we are driven by a mission to understand the root causes of lupus and reduce the burden of this disease on vulnerable communities. Our research focuses on how lupus affects the kidneys, blood pressure, and immune system—and how innovative treatments can calm inflammation and protect organ function. We’re proud to be supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, and others who believe in the power of science to change lives. 💪🏾
But beyond the science, we are a team of dynamic women committed to pushing the boundaries of discovery and mentoring the next generation of scientists. The MatLab isn’t just a place of research—it’s a space for brilliance, resilience, and representation. 💜
On World Lupus Day, we honor the warriors living with lupus, and we commit to doing the work that brings us closer to a cure. 🦋
