Gabor Illei, MD, PhD, MHS

Overview
The Molecular Physiology and Therapeutics Branch of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) offers specialized research fellowship training in Sjögren's Syndrome and related disorders to qualified candidates interested in pursuing academic careers with a focus on clinical or translational research. The goal of the fellowship program is to prepare clinically competent physicians to become successful and independent investigators. The program is oriented toward the provision of comprehensive and multidisciplinary care, and the development of novel therapeutic and diagnostic approaches to this disorder.

Background
The Sjögren’s Syndrome Clinic, which is part of the Molecular Physiology and Therapeutics Branch of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, carries out patient oriented research on the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of Sjögren's syndrome (SS).  SS is considered a systemic autoimmune disease but many clinical manifestations are not easily explained by autoimmunity/inflammation. Therefore, the scientific focus of our research is to define the relationship between inflammation and organ dysfunction and to explore the role non-immune mechanisms, such as autonomic dysfunction and decreased epithelial integrity in the pathophysiology of SS. Treatment studies focus innovative Phase II clinical trials. All studies have a significant basic science component done in collaboration with laboratories within and outside the NIH. The Sjögren’s Clinic actively participates in other clinical activities of the Branch, such as the conduct of a gene therapy trial for radiation induced salivary gland damage.

Structure of Fellowship Program
Clinical investigations are done under the supervision of Dr. Gabor Illei, who directs the fellowship program and whose research interests include early stage treatment studies and biomarker research in systemic autoimmune diseases, primarily systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren’s syndrome.  The program provides each Fellow with intensive clinical research training. There is direct, hands-on practical experience in clinical investigation provided through an individualized research project. Fellows will participate in various research protocols and are expected to develop their own protocol(s) during their fellowship. Didactic courses in research design and management, statistical analysis, and bioethics are available through the NIH Clinical Center, a 240 bed state-of-the-art research hospital located on the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD. Qualified applicants will be encouraged to apply to the NIH/Duke Master’s program in Clinical Research.
 
Requirements
Qualified candidates must have completed three or more years of internal medicine residency training and must be licensed to practice medicine in the United States. Fellowship training in rheumatology and/or experience with/or training in autonomic nervous system testing is preferred.
Applications are submitted electronically and accepted throughout the year.

Program Faculty and Research Interests
Gabor Illei, MD: Novel treatments and biomarkers of systemic autoimmune diseases
Nikolay Nikolov, MD: Autonomic nervous system dysfunction in SS
Ilias Alevizos, DMD: microRNAs in SS; treatment of salivary gland dysfunction
 
How to apply
Interested applicants should contact:
Gabor Illei, MD, Head, Sjögren’s Syndrome Clinic, NIDCR, 10 Center Drive, Room 1N110, Bethesda, MD 20892
E-mail: illeig@mail.nih.gov
Telephone: 301 496-4072
Applications are submitted via the link in the Program Specific Elements Box on right.

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