She obtained her doctorate degree and post-doctoral training from the University of Alabama at Birmingham before joining UNMC as a faculty. The long-term goal of her research is to understand the molecular mechanisms for autoimmune diseases, especially systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, and to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for these diseases. Besides research, she serves as an editor for several scientific journals and as a grant reviewer for study sections of NIH and American Heart Association. She has been honored as the advisory organizer, session chair, and invited speaker for a number of national and international meetings.