Emily Catherine Somers, Ph.D., Sc.M.
Faculty Appointment:
Specialty:	Rheumatology Epidemiology
Research Interests:	Dr. Somers is an epidemiologist focusing on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other autoimmune diseases. Her major research interests include the following: (1) Epidemiology, comorbidities, and public health impact of rheumatic and autoimmune diseases. Current projects include the Michigan Lupus Epidemiology & Surveillance (MILES) Program, a CDC-funded public health initiative to create a population-based registry and estimate the incidence and prevalence of SLE in Southeastern Michigan. She has also worked extensively with the UK General Practice Research Database (GPRD) to study the descriptive epidemiology of several autoimmune diseases, and to characterize the risk of their coexistence within individuals. (2) Ovarian preservation in patients exposed to alkylating agents, eg, cyclophosphamide (CYC). Co-treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRH-a) during CYC therapy is a promising strategy for the prevention of premature ovarian failure. Dr. Somers is the principal investigator for a pilot study examining biomarkers of ovarian function, and their potential utility as endpoints for a future randomized controlled trial examining the efficacy of GnRH-a for ovarian preservation. (3) Clinical epidemiology of SLE, including studies of subclinical cardiovascular disease in SLE and gene expression based molecular classification of lupus nephritis. (4) Pharmacoepidemiologic issues in autoimmune disease. Utilization of detailed epidemiologic data and post-marketing surveillance in order to detect and interpret potentially rare effects of recently marketed therapeutics, such as biologics.
Degrees:	Ph.D., 2006, London School of Hygeine and Tropical Medicine Sc.M., 1999, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene & Public Health
Faculty Appointment Date:	1/1/2004
Academic office address	Domino's Farms 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive Room 3100 Ann Arbor, MI 48105-5753
Academic office telephone:	(734)998-6119
Academic office FAX:	(734)998-9277
Research Web site Lab