Alumni Update - Dr. Darise Farris

Dr. Darise (Moore '91) Farris is a member of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) and is helping to pave a path toward a more accurate and less intrusive diagnosis of Sjögren’s disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects up to 4 million Americans. Farris directs OMRF's Sjögren’s Research Clinic, and led a proof-of-concept study involving 126 volunteers diagnosed with Sjögren’s, about half of whom lacked the previously known blood marker. In the blood samples of 65 participants without the known biomarker, the OMRF researchers found more than 12 new protein targets connected to this autoimmune disease. Farris said "What this suggests is that it is possible to discover new biomarkers for Sjögren’s. It also suggests that we may ultimately be able to prevent thousands of people form undergoing a lip biopsy." The next step in Farris's research is to expand the study to a larger set of people with the disease and with similar diseases to see how these tests might lead to earlier and simpler diagnosis for Sjögren’s patients. You can read more about Farris and her research here.

Outstanding work, Dr. Farris! We are so proud of you and all of the work you have done to help people around the world.