Description of Research Expertise

Dr. Rhee’s research program spans clinical and translational studies in humans that seek to understand disease pathogenesis and disease heterogeneity of multiple types of autoimmune vasculitis. Currently her research focuses on the investigation of the airway epithelium and microbiome in vasculitis and the identification of novel biomarkers in vasculitis.

Dr. Rhee led the development of a biorepository of nasal swab samples from patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis, relapsing polychondritis, and healthy patients. This work combines both advanced molecular sequencing with culture-based approaches to understanding how changes in the epithelium and microbes interact with the immune system in autoimmune vasculitis.

Dr. Rhee is also part of a multi-disciplinary team that is studying the utility of vessel wall MRI in giant cell arteritis. She works with investigators in radiology and ophthalmology to develop novel imaging biomarkers for diagnosis and disease activity in giant cell arteritis. Dr. Rhee co-led the development of the Penn Giant Cell Arteritis Fast-Track Program.

Selected Publications

Ephrem RK, Mohan S, Rebello R, Liang R, Kurtz R, Song JW, Tamhankar MA, Rhee RL.: Optic nerve sheath enhancement on orbital MRI in giant cell arteritis. British Journal of Ophthalmology : 2024.

Wang WX, Spiegelman D, Rao PK, Rhee RL, Ford AL, Miner JJ, Apte RS.: Crizanlizumab for retinal vasculopathy with cerebral leukoencephalopathy in a phase II clinical study Journal of Clinical Investigation : 2024.

Cunningham KY, Hur B, Gupta VK, Koster MJ, Weyand CM, Cuthbertson D, Khalidi NA, Koening CL, Langford CA, McAlear CA, Monach PA, Moreland LW, Pagnoux C, Rhee RL, Seo P, Merkel PA, Warrington KJ, Sung J.: "Plasma proteome profiling in giant cell arteritis." Ann Rheum Dis 83 (12): 1762-1772,2024.

Romich E, Banerjee S, Amudala N, Chou S, Li R, Lee H, Cohen N, Merkel PA, Rhee RL: "Patient-reported sinonasal symptoms and risk of relapse in ANCA-associated vasculitis" Arthritis Care & Research 76 (8): 1099-1108,2024.

Rhee RL, Rebello R, Tamhankar M, Banerjee S, Liu F, Cao Q, Kurtz R, Baker JF, Fan Z, Bhatt V, Amudala N, Chou S, Liang R, Burke M, Desiderio L, Loevner LA, Merkel PA, Song JW: "Combined orbital and cranial vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging for the assessment of disease activity in giant cell arteritis" ACR Open Rheumatology 6 (4): 189-200,2024.

Rhee RL, Bathla G, Rebello R, Kurtz RM, Junek M, Warrington KJ, Khalidi N, Merkel PA, Guggenberger KV, Tamhankar MA, Bley TA: "Vessel wall MRI in giant cell arteritis: standardized protocol and scoring approach developed by an international working group." Rheumatology (Oxford) : 2024.

Kermani TA, Sreih AG, Cuthbertson D, Khalidi NA, Koening CL, Langford CA, McAlear CA, Monach PA, Moreland L, Pagnoux C, Rhee RL, Seo P, Warrington KJ, Merkel PA; Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium: "Assessment of Damage in Takayasu's Arteritis" Rheumatology (Oxford) : 2024.

Ephrem R, Mohan S, Rebello R, Liang R, Kurtz R, Song J, Tamhankar M, Rhee RL: "Optic Nerve Sheath Enhancement On Orbital Magnetic Resonance Imaging In Giant Cell Arteritis" British Journal of Ophthalmology : 2024.

Bloom JL, Pickett-Nairn K, Silveira L, Fuhlbrigge RC, Cuthbertson D, Akuthota P, Corbridge TC, Khalidi NA, Koening CL, Langford CA, McAlear CA, Monach PA, Moreland LW, Pagnoux C, Rhee RL, Seo P, Silver J, Specks U, Warrington KJ, Wechsler ME, Merkel PA: "The Association Between Age at Diagnosis and Disease Characteristics and Damage in Patients with ANCA-Associated Vasculitis" Arthritis Rheumatol 75 (12): 2216-2227,2023.

Beukelman T, Chen L, Annapureddy N, Oates J, Clowse MEB, Long M, Kappelman MD, Rhee RL, Merkel PA, Nowell WB, Xie F, Clinton C, Curtis JR.: "Using pooled electronic health records data to conduct pharmacoepidemiology safety studies: Challenges and lessons learned." Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 32 (9): 969-977,2023.

Academic Contact Information

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Dept. of Medicine/Rheumatology
3400 Spruce Street
5th Floor, White Building
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Patient appointments: 800-789-7366