Vilija Oke

I am associated professor and specialist in Rheumatology. Currently I have a position as a senior consultant and head of research at Academic Specialist Center, Center for Rheumatology.

I am a researcher at prof. Jon Lampa research group.

Associated Editor in Frontiers in Lupus.

I did my specialization in Rheumatology at Karolinska University Hospital.

I defended my PhD thesis in 2011 at the Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet.

The title of my thesis is “Studies on molecular regulation of inflammation in Cutaneous lupus Erythematosus”.

My special scientific expertise is skin inflammation in rheumatic diseases, my clinical experience is in systemic lupus erythematosus and psoriatic arthritis as focus of my research.

Nevertheless, my vision is to explore human as a harmony of body and mind, from cell to to thoughts and emotions, based on how World Health Organisation defines health - "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being".  Therefore my new scientific twist is social or existential health and wellbeing.

My research focus is skin inflammation in autoimmune disease. I believe that 
investigation of autoimmune skin inflammation can provide us with better
insight in systemic autoimmunity.

Major lines of research: 

1) Molecular pathogenesis of skin inflammation in cutaneous lupus
erythematosus and other systemic rheumatic diseases (HUD-SS study).

2) Co-morbidity in psoriatic arthritis (COMPASs study)

3) Existential Health - what are the pathways from cell to thought.

I am an expert in teaching on autoimmune rheumatic diseases and skin manifestations of rheumatic diseases.

I am a moderator of Stockholm Clubs for Practical Philosophy and Psychology.

Mayo and Karolinska Institutets collaboration chair for Autoimmunity section since 2013.