Lead scientific advisor,Dr. Elizabeth Phillips, is a global expert on severe adverse drug reactions, including DRESS  (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) and SJS/TEN (Stevens Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. Her contributions to these life threatening drug reactions cannot be overestimated. Phillips lab at VUMC has a clinical and research program in drug hypersensitivity where researchers and clinicians around the world collaborate in an effort to understand and identify genetic factors related to severe adverse drug reactions. Some of her greatest achievements include the development of genetic predictors for drug hypersensitivity to abacavir, and most recently, the discovery of the genetic HLA factors associated with the antibiotic vancomycin and risk for developing DRESS.

 

Dr. Phillips' unique relationship with advocacy groups and desire to unite patients, providers and scientists, give us hope for predicting and preventing DRESS Syndrome.