Locations
UM Health Center - Rheumatology
16 South Eutaw Street
Floor 2
Baltimore,
MD
21201
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About Me
A rheumatologist, Dr. Blazer treats all rheumatic diseases but has a special interest in treating systemic lupus erythematosus, a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disease that can affect many parts of the body.
Dr. Blazer is an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology at University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM). She also co-directs the Lupus Center at UMSOM. She was a 2024 Art of Healing award honoree at the Harlem Fine Arts Show for her transformative impacts in lupus care. She was previously recognized as a "Top 40 Under 40 Leader in Health" award honoree by the National Minority Quality Forum.
A dedicated champion of health equity, particularly within the African American community, Dr. Blazer is passionate about research, teaching and medical communication. She is also actively involved in community outreach and education through multiple national organizations. Throughout her career, she has contributed impactful research and compassionate clinical care and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to healing lupus patients.
Medical School:
Residency:
Fellowship:
Certification:
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American Board of Internal Medicine - Rheumatology, 2015
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American Board of Internal Medicine - Internal Medicine, 2014
Since her fellowship training in 2013, Dr. Blazer has focused her research on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), particularly in African ancestry patients. Her laboratory, the Blazer Lab, conducts bench-to-bedside translational research aimed at understanding the genetic and functional genomic factors impacting SLE pathogenesis. The Blazer Lab also models genetic risk using SLE peripheral blood mononuclear cells and vascular endothelial cells to explore the relationship between inflammation seen in SLE and cellular injury.
The Blazer Lab has been instrumental in understanding how common mutations in the Apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) gene increase the risk of vascular disease, kidney disease, and SLE-associated organ damage in African ancestry patients. Her research has shown that SLE-relevant inflammation increases cellular production of APOL1, which, in cells carrying genetic mutations, leads to defects in mitochondrial health and impairs autophagy. Given the current inability of clinical tests to distinguish between kidney injuries caused by SLE and that caused by APOL1 gene mutations, Dr. Blazer collaborates with West African physician-scientists to use epigenetic profiling on urine cellular debris to identify biomarkers for SLE nephritis and APOL1-associated nephropathy.
Dr. Blazer's research is supported by National Institutes of Health funding as well as foundations such as the Lupus Research Alliance and the Rheumatology Research Foundation.
