My research interests are in the areas of osteoporosis, particularly the epidemiology of osteoporotic fractures and bone loss in microgravity; osteoarthritis; and pregnancy-induced changes on rheumatic diseases. I currently collaborate with Dr. Sundeep Khosla and Dr. L. Joseph Melton III on studies related to the epidemiology of osteoporotic fractures, including the risk of long-term fractures in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and those who have previously had a distal forearm fracture in childhood. We are also studying novel imaging techniques, including finite element models, to help better define bone strength and fracture risk. Bone loss is also a significant problem during long-duration exposure to microgravity, and I am currently working with investigators at NASA to explore the potential for fracture risk following long-duration space flight. I have had an ongoing collaboration with investigators at Boston University examining risk factors for cartilage loss as determined by MRI, and knee symptoms, in those with knee osteoarthritis. Finally, my clinical interests are in the autoimmune rheumatic diseases, including the connective tissue diseases, vasculitis, and rheumatoid arthritis, particularly the role of pregnancy on these conditions. I currently collaborate with Dr. Ann Reed and investigators at the University of Minnesota and Hospital for Special Surgery to study the immunologic changes that occur in women with RA who become pregnant in order to help better understand why pregnancy frequently leads to an improvement in RA disease activity.