Saira Z. Sheikh

Saira Z. Sheikh, MD serves as the Linda Coley Sewell Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. She directs both the UNC Rheumatology Lupus Clinic and the Clinical Trials Program at UNC's Thurston Arthritis Research Center. Dr. Sheikh is triple board certified in Internal Medicine, Rheumatology and Allergy/Immunology, and has established herself as a nationally renowned physician, researcher, clinical trials investigator and educator.

Dr. Sheikh completed her medical education at King Edward Medical University, residency at the University of Arizona, and fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her educational background has positioned her at the forefront of autoimmune disease research and treatment.

Dr. Sheikh's research focuses on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and other complex immunologic diseases, with particular emphasis on developing practical models to increase patient access to clinical trials. She leads a federally funded project titled Automated Reasoning and Interpretation for Early Lupus detection, which utilizes machine learning models and AI for earlier lupus diagnosis. Her work applies an integrated approach of research, teaching, and clinical practice to advance team science through clinical trials, basic and translational research collaborations, and community-based studies. She also co-founded and co-leads the Chapel Hill Alliance Promoting Excellence in Lupus (CHAPEL), a multidisciplinary collaborative research group focused on improving knowledge, management practices, and patient outcomes in lupus.

Analysis of Dr. Sheikh's recent publications reveals a strong focus on autoimmune diseases, particularly lupus and inflammatory bowel diseases. Her research spans from clinical trials of novel therapeutics to fundamental molecular investigations of disease mechanisms. Recent work includes investigations into CAR T-cell therapy for autoimmune conditions, biomarker discovery, and the application of machine learning to improve disease diagnosis and management. Her collaborative approach is evident in the diverse range of co-authors from multiple disciplines across her publications.

• Fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (FAAAAI)
• Fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (FACAAI)
• Fellow of the American Society of Nephrology (ASN)
• Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)
• Chair of the Lupus Clinical Investigators Network (LuCIN)
• Member of the American College of Rheumatology Board of Directors
• Member of the Medical-Scientific Advisory Council for the Lupus Foundation of America

Dr. Sheikh serves as Principal Investigator on numerous clinical trials for new therapeutics and translational projects focused on understanding biomarker development in autoimmune disease. She has secured significant federal funding for her research, including the AI-based lupus detection project. Her leadership extends to the UNC Lupus Multidisciplinary CAR-T and Cell Therapy Group, which has successfully treated patients with severe, refractory systemic lupus erythematosus using CD19 CAR T-cell therapy. This innovative work has positioned UNC as one of the few centers worldwide with expertise in this emerging treatment approach for autoimmune diseases.

Dr. Sheikh leads the Chapel Hill Alliance Promoting Excellence in Lupus (CHAPEL), a multidisciplinary collaborative research group working on translational and clinical research focused on improving knowledge, management practices, and patient outcomes in lupus, particularly lupus nephritis. Her team includes experts from Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology, Hematology, and Nephrology & Hypertension, demonstrating her commitment to cross-disciplinary collaboration in advancing lupus care and research.