Speakers & Panelists
Dr. Roberto Caricchio, MD, is the Myles J. McDonough Chair in Rheumatology and Chief of the Division of Rheumatology at UMass Chan Medical School. He earned his M.D. and completed his rheumatology fellowship at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. He completed two postdoctoral research fellowships at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. After a decade of high impact research in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), he undertook additional clinical training in internal medicine and rheumatology at Temple University to fulfill his call as physician-scientist. While in training, he continued to lead a NIH-funded laboratory focused on investigating the pathogenesis of SLE. 
Dr. Caricchio has made important contributions to our understanding of the pathogenesis of SLE and is considered among the leading investigators in his field. He published seminal papers in elucidating the role of cell death as stimulator in autoimmunity, the role of sex hormones in manipulating cell death, tissue damage and the immune response, and more recently, the role of the microbiome and bacterial infections in driving autoimmune severity. His laboratory has been supported by the NIH, Arthritis Foundation, Lupus Foundation, and the Lupus Research Alliance. 
Dr. Caricchio has published in Immunity, Journal of Immunology, Nature and JAMA, in addition to authoring editorials, reviews and book chapters focused on SLE.
In his current position, he is developing a number of specialized programs at UMass Chan, including the lupus program, early arthritis program and CTD-ILD program, where patients are offered innovative therapies and the opportunity to participate to breakthrough clinical trials and translational research. Dr. Caricchio continues to have an active research laboratory focused on infectious triggers of lupus and prevention of end-organ damage in lupus nephritis.

Dr. Karen Costenbader, MD, MPH, is the Director of the Lupus Program and Chief of the Section of Clinical Sciences in Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She is a rheumatologist who specializes in the treatment of lupus and rheumatoid arthritis and teaches and mentors trainees at Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health. Her research investigates risk factors associated with the development of lupus and rheumatoid arthritis and outcomes among those who have these diseases. Dr. Costenbader is the Chair of the Lupus Foundation of America’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee. Co-editor for Arthritis & Rheumatology and she sits on several grant review committees and acts as a reviewer for multiple journals.
Dr. Costenbader received her medical degree from Harvard Medical School, a master’s degree from Cambridge University in England, and a master's in public health from Harvard School of Public Health. She completed an internal medicine internship and medical residency at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, as well as training in rheumatology at both the Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. 
Nora Clooney is thrilled to be here today with the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) at the Lupus & You Empowerment Conference. She is a four-year member of the LFA's Boston Walk Committee, and she expects to enjoy this opportunity to connect with members of the lupus community while learning about advances in lupus research. She also looks forward to saying a few words about the amazing programs that the LFA has to offer. 
Matt DeAngelis has been a Lupus Warrior since his diagnosis in 2011. He has been involved with the LFA in Kansas and Massachusetts, serving on their respective Walk to End Lupus Now committees. He also serves as a member of the Patient Advisory Board for The Lupus Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital. In his professional life, Matt has worked in Fundraising and Development for the past eight years.Kristi Ericson is a lupus patient and passionate  advocate dedicated to raising awareness and building community for those affected by the disease. She leads Lupus Lights New England, a Boston-area support group that offers connection, education, and empowerment for lupus patients and their families.

Dr. Rebecca Gaffney, MD, instructor in dermatology at Harvard Medical School, and director of the Bullous Disease and Connective Tissue Disease clinics at Brigham and Women's Hospital. She graduated from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and completed dual training in internal medicine and dermatology at the Harvard Combined Residency Program. Her clinical and research interests include inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases.Caroline Golota has been a lupus warrior for 10 years. Without the love and support of her family and friends, she would not have been able to stay positive with her diagnosis. Over the years, lupus has affected her joints, skin, heart and kidneys. Her parents have been role models teaching her how to advocate for and take care of herself.
Thanks to her diagnosis, Caroline has found a supportive community within the LFA. She participates annually in Boston's Walk to End Lupus Now and serves on the walk committee each year. She utilizes many of the resources the LFA provides to learn more about  advancements in lupus and grow her lupus community.
While battling lupus, Caroline received a professional degree in architecture and works within the field. She enjoys anything creative, as well as reading and spending time with family and friends. She walks all over the place to stay active!
Tom Golota is a married father of two, who worked in the software industry for over 20 years and then taught middle school science for 10. In between, he was a stay-at-home dad for about 10 years. 
When his daughter, Caroline, was diagnosed with lupus at the age of 17, he had not idea what it was or how serious it could be. With his science background, he wanted to find out everything he could about the disease. That is why he stays involved, participates in the Walk to End Lupus Now, Boston, and follows the various drug trials that are in progress. 
He is so proud of Caroline in how she took ownership of this disease. She has been very responsible in managing her meds and her communication with her doctors. He wears his purple wrist band continuously and vows to not take it off until there is a cure!
Michelle Harrington is a lifelong Boston resident and community activist, and an "accidental yogi." She is a breast cancer survivor who discovered yoga after the tragic death of her sister. In June 2021, she completed her first 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training with the Yoga Liberation Front led by David Vendetti, and completed her second 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training in April 2022 at the age of 56. She was then certified as a Pilates Instructor in September 2022.Taleah Williams Howard is a passionate Lupus advocate, Ambassador, and founder of Cryptic Wings a community-driven initiative focused on awareness, empowerment, and creative expression for those affected by lupus. Diagnosed as a young adult, Lya uses her lived experience to uplift fellow warriors and bring visibility to the often-invisible challenges of chronic illness. She has served as a speaker and walk committee member with the Lupus Foundation of America and has led several impactful awareness campaigns and events. Through storytelling, community outreach, and advocacy, Lya is committed to inspiring change and creating safe spaces for those living with lupus."Chisa Nosamiefan is a global patient leader and intercultural relations consultant dedicated to advocating for those affected by lupus. Diagnosed with lupus over 25 years ago as a young mother, she transformed her experience into a mission for change, supported by her faith and family. As co-founder of The Labalaba Foundation and an ambassador for the Lupus Foundation of America, Chisa promotes lupus awareness. She hosts the "Eye on Lupus" series, highlighting innovative lupus research  from around the world. Additionally, she leads talks and seminars that empower patients and provides insights into the patient perspective for healthcare providers, industry, and policymakers. Chisa exemplifies advocacy, compassion, and community impact. 

Ivy Tran, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and researcher specializing in environmental and individual risk and resilience factors for mental health conditions. She completed her graduate training at Hofstra University in New York and is currently completing her postdoctoral fellowship at Boston Medical Center. Ivy was diagnosed with SLE in 2015 while attending undergrad at Boston University and has been connected with the providers and Lupus Foundation since then. As a psychologist with lived experience of a chronic illness, she is passionate about self-care, improving mental health literacy, and increasing awareness of disorders that primarily affect underrepresented populations. You can find her website at ivytran.info and reach her via email at [email protected].

Dominique White & Royce White In February of 2018, after experiencing symptoms abnormal to my healthy life, I made the decision to take "the $6 Uber that saved my life" to the closest hospital. Within an  hour, I saw so many doctors who flooded me with so many questions. For the next few years, I'd see many more doctors who would ultimately diagnose me with lupus. Telling my mom was one of the hardest parts of this. However, having her (along with the greatest support system of others), by my side has made this battle 100 times easier. If I could give my mother the world to thank her, I would. Today, while my lupus is in remission, I do battle end-stage kidney disease from my lupus, but thanks to my mom I will never give up. She raised a fighter!

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