She leads an NIAMS-funded research project to understand the factors that contribute to health disparities in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Dr. Costenbader’s team has explored the role of access to quality healthcare as a potential cause of disparate health outcomes for SLE patients from different racial and ethnic groups. More recently, her research group has begun investigating the effects of social and behavioral factors on the incidence of SLE in black and low socioeconomic status women. Her work has led to the identification of several lifestyle and behavioral factors that influence the risk of developing SLE. The STAR award funding will enable Dr. Costenbader to study genetic factors that may contribute to a person’s likelihood of developing SLE and investigate whether genetic and environmental risk factors may work together to affect overall disease risk.