From groundbreaking research to everyday patient experiences, Autoimmune Voices: Threads of Hope brings you powerful conversations with patients, advocates, doctors, scientists, and policy leaders who are shaping the future of autoimmune care. Join us as we uncover the hidden challenges, explore the latest breakthroughs, and dive into the stories that are driving change.Â
How does an Olympic athlete manage an autoimmune disease? In this episode of Autoimmune Voices, Molly Murray, President & CEO of the Autoimmune Association, sits down with Olympic swimmer Paige Madden. Paige opens up about living with Hashimoto’s, her path to diagnosis, and the role of mental and emotional health in chronic illness. She shares how she learned to advocate for herself, found strength in community, and is using her platform to raise awareness for autoimmune disease.
In this episode of Autoimmune Voices, we sit down with Becky Hosey, a physician assistant and chiropractor living with autoimmune disease. Becky shares her long road to diagnosis, the challenges of being taken seriously, and the gaps she sees in autoimmune education—from both the provider and patient perspectives. She offers candid insights into misdiagnosis, advocacy, and practical advice for navigating a complex healthcare system.
In this episode of Autoimmune Voices, we’re joined by Victoria Shanmugam, MD, director of the Office of Autoimmune Disease Research at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Shanmugam discusses the rising prevalence of autoimmune disease, long-standing gaps in research, and how the new office is working to coordinate efforts, elevate priorities, and accelerate progress across this critical field.
Discover the science behind immune balance in this episode of Autoimmune Voices: Threads of Hope. Host Nina Luning Prak, MD, PhD, speaks with 2025 Nobel Laureates Mary Brunkow, PhD, and Fred Ramsdell, PhD, about their groundbreaking discovery of FOXP3 and regulatory T cells. They explain how this science is reshaping autoimmune research—and point toward future therapies that could restore immune balance without lifelong immunosuppression.
In Part 1 of this 2-part episode, we explore the clinical trial experience from both the research and patient perspectives. Dr. Adam Schiffenbauer explains how clinical trials work, the phases of research, and the safety protocols that protect participants. Patient advocate Alana Snowden shares her real-life experience joining a diagnostic study at the NIH and how it helped her better understand and manage her autoimmune disease. This episode offers a clear, human-centered look at why clinical trials are essential in advancing autoimmune disease research and improving patient care. Continue this deep dive into clinical trials in Part 2.
In Part 2 of this 2-part episode, Dr. Adam Schiffenbauer and patient advocate Alana Snowden dive deeper into the role clinical trials play in understanding and treating autoimmune diseases. Dr. Schiffenbauer explains how trials generate essential knowledge about disease progression, treatment options, and the underlying biology of autoimmune conditions, using everything from genetics and microbiome data to wearable device insights. Alana shares how participating in a trial empowered her to make informed decisions about her health and helped debunk common misconceptions about clinical research. Together, they highlight the importance of patient participation in advancing autoimmune disease research and shaping the future of care.
