Dr. Sonali Bracken, a fellow in the Division of Rheumatology at Duke University, has been honored with the prestigious 2024 Distinguished Fellow Award by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). The award, given to only ten fellows across the country annually, recognizes outstanding achievements in research, advocacy, and education in rheumatology.
Dr. Bracken, who holds a PhD in immunology, has long been driven by a desire to understand the complexities of the immune system and its role in autoimmune diseases. This passion led her to pursue a career in rheumatology, where she found a unique alignment between her scientific background and clinical interests. “Ever since my days in graduate school, I have been invested in defining the mechanisms that drive the immune system to go awry,” Dr. Bracken shared. “Becoming a rheumatologist was the perfect way for me to marry my clinical interest in autoimmunity with my passion for basic and translational immunology.”
Her research productivity during her fellowship played a particularly influential role in her selection for this award. By working closely with her mentors, Dr. Stephanie Sarantopoulos, Chair of the Division of Malignancies, and Dr. Scott Palmer, Chair of Research for DOM, Dr. Bracken has focused on understanding how B cells contribute to autoimmune and alloimmune diseases. “I am particularly interested in how B cells behave within the context of autoimmunity and am working to better understand the role they play in the pathogenesis of autoimmune lung fibrosis,” she said. This research, which is currently funded through an NIH K38 award, has earned her recognition from the ACR and underscores her significant contributions to advancing the understanding of immune-related disorders.
In addition to Dr. Sarantopoulos and Dr. Palmer, Dr. Bracken has also been supported by a remarkable team of mentors, including Dr. Ankoor Shah, Dr. Bill St. Clair, and Dr. David Pisetsky, all of whom have been instrumental in guiding her research and clinical development. “I couldn’t have achieved this recognition without the commitment of my mentors,” Dr. Bracken remarked.
Beyond her research achievements, Dr. Bracken has made notable contributions to the Duke Rheumatology Fellowship Program. Dr. David Leverenz, director of the fellowship program, remarked on her dedication, saying, “Sonali’s academic accomplishments are incredible, but it is her personal contributions to the fellowship program that really stand out. We are proud to see her recognized with this well-deserved award.”
The ACR Distinguished Fellow Award is a mark of excellence, highlighting fellows who have demonstrated exceptional performance in rheumatology across various criteria. Dr. Bracken’s selection reflects her deep commitment to research, patient care, and the broader rheumatology community. “I’m deeply honored to be selected as one of the ACR Distinguished Fellows for the 2024 class,” Dr. Bracken said. This award is especially meaningful this year, as Dr. Bracken is the first fellow from Duke ever to receive this particular award. “This achievement is truly a testament to the dedication of my mentors and the support I’ve received from the Duke Department of Medicine,” said Dr. Bracken.
The Distinguished Fellow Award is one of several honors presented by the ACR and the Association of Rheumatology Professionals (ARP) to recognize exceptional contributions to the field. The awards are determined by the ACR’s Membership and Awards Committee, which evaluates nominees based on their academic, research, and service records within and outside the College.
Dr. Bracken’s recognition at the ACR Convergence 2024 meeting will offer a platform to celebrate her achievements alongside thousands of rheumatology professionals from around the world. It will be held November 14–19 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.