Judith Ashouri Sinha

Judith Ashouri Sinha, MD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), specializing in Rheumatology. Her research focuses on understanding the role of CD4 T cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), particularly how antigen-specific T cells contribute to disease pathogenesis. She employs innovative tools to identify and characterize these T cells in both mouse models and human patients, aiming to uncover novel therapeutic targets.

Education & Training:

• MD, University of California, San Francisco (2008)
• Residency in Internal Medicine, Stanford University Hospital & Clinics (2011)
• Fellowship in Rheumatology, University of California, San Francisco (2014)
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training, UCSF (2022)

Research Interests: Dr. Ashouri’s work centers on T cell signaling in autoimmune diseases, particularly RA. Her lab investigates how endogenous antigens shape T cell behavior, the signaling thresholds for arthritogenic T cell activation, and translational approaches to target these pathways. She also explores dietary and immunomodulatory strategies for immune-mediated disorders.

Awards & Grants:

• NIH K08 Award (NIAMS, 2018–2023)
• Arthritis National Research Foundation Scholar (2018–2020)
• Bechtel Junior Faculty Award (UCSF Division of Rheumatology, 2016–2019)
• Current grants include funding from the Nora Eccles Treadwell Foundation and NIH for projects on T cell signaling thresholds and arthritogenic mechanisms.

Labs & Collaborations: Her research integrates immunology, molecular biology, and clinical studies. She collaborates with experts in rheumatology, immunology, and bioinformatics to advance translational research in autoimmune diseases.