Hospital for Special Surgery's Dr. George Kalliolias to be Honored by The Sontag Foundation and the Arthritis National Research Foundation with Prestigious Sontag Fellowship

New York—February 4, 2014

Dr. George Kalliolias, MD, PhD, a physician-scientist in the Division of Rheumatology at Hospital for Special Surgery, will be honored with this year’s coveted Sontag Fellowship in recognition of his advancement of promising research in rheumatoid arthritis.  Dr. Kalliolias was chosen as this year’s Fellow from a class of 15 researchers who will be receiving grants from the Arthritis National Research Foundation (ANRF), in partnership with The Sontag Foundation.

ANRF grant recipients represent the top of a highly competitive field of young MD, PhD and MD-PhD scientists at nonprofit research institutions across the US.  Applications are reviewed annually by ANRF's Scientific Advisory Board of world-renowned physician-scientists.  From their list of deserving researchers, The Sontag Foundation conducts their own internal review to choose which scientist they will support.

“George embodies both an exemplary work ethic and the creative thinking necessary for breakthrough research," said Dr. Mary Crow, a member of the ANRF’s Scientific Advisory Board and Physician-in-Chief, Chair of the Division of Rheumatology, and Director of Rheumatology Research at Hospital for Special Surgery "We're thrilled that he's been recognized by the ANRF and The Sontag Foundation and look forward to the results of his research over the coming year."

Dr. Kalliolias added, “I am excited about continuing my work on the pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis with such robust support.  I am honored to have been chosen as this year's Sontag Fellow and continue the good work of the researchers who have held this title before me."  Former Sontag Fellows include top researchers from institutions around the country, such as Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins Medical Center and University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

“The pioneering work of Dr. Kalliolias will provide a better understanding of the causes of rheumatoid arthritis which should lead to the development of more effective treatments.  This made selecting him as the recipient of the Sontag Fellowship an easy choice,” said Rick Sontag, President of The Sontag Foundation.

Dr. Kalliolias has been involved in arthritis research since 2004.  He is a physician-scientist trained in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, with an expertise in Rheumatoid Arthritis and other immune-mediated rheumatic diseases. Dr. Kalliolias’ research is focused on inhibiting the joint destruction that is caused by inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.  Specifically, he is investigating the role of joint fibroblasts, important but little-studied players that represent a new and exciting potential therapeutic target for rheumatoid arthritis.  He will be honored at a luncheon given at Hospital for Special Surgery in February.