Vukelic

FACULTY

Milena Vukelic

Assistant Professor - Clinical

Medicine - Rheumatology

Academic Office:

LSUHSC School of Medicine 
2021 Perdido St. 
New Orleans, LA 70112

Clinical Office:

University Medical Center
2000 Canal St.
New Orleans, LA 70112

LSU Healthcare Network- Campus Multispecialty Clinic
478 S. Johnson St. 
New Orleans, LA 70112

 

Bio

I am a board-certified rheumatologist and physician-scientist dedicated to improving the lives of patients with systemic autoimmune and musculoskeletal diseases through translational research, clinical innovation, and evidence-based patient care. I completed my rheumatology fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, where I received rigorous clinical and academic training. Motivated by a drive for continuous advancement, I have pursued additional training in rheumatology to expand my expertise in complex immune-mediated conditions.

My career began as a basic scientist at the Hospital for Special Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, where I developed a deep interest in the mechanisms of inflammation and autoimmunity that ultimately led me to rheumatology. My research and clinical work are focused on lupus and related systemic autoimmune diseases, with a particular emphasis on translational investigation, biomarker development, and clinical trials that aim to improve patient outcomes and drive personalized approaches to therapy.

As a medical educator, I lead initiatives that integrate scientific discovery with compassionate, patient-centered care. I am also a dedicated mentor to medical students,  residents and fellows, guiding them to excellence in clinical practice, scholarly research, and academic leadership.

My work has been recognized with multiple awards and funding, including a Japanese government fellowship for postgraduate studies,  American College of Rheumatology/EULAR Research Scholar, American College of Rheumatology Change Maker Award. 

Education

01/2022- 06/2022 Obesity Medicine Training, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeon, New York, New York
 
07/2019 - 07/2020 Advanced Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School; Boston; Massachusetts
 
07/2017 - 07/2019 Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Fellowship Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School; Boston; Massachusetts
 
07/2014 - 07/2017 Internal Medicine Internship and Residency, Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center; Atlanta; Georgia
 
07/2008 - 07/2012 Postdoctoral Research Fellow Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS, New York, US Supervisor: Salmon Jane M.D.
 
06/2007 - 06/2008 Postdoctoral Research Fellow Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS, New York, US Supervisor: Luminita Pricop M.D.
 
09/2005 - 05/2007 Postdoctoral Research Fellow Akita University Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Japan Supervisor: Hiroshi Ito M.D.
 
03/2004 Doctor of Medicine University of Belgrade School of Medicine, Serbia

Affiliated Hospitals & Clinics

University Medical Center - New Orleans

Publications

1) Ji L, Ravi S, Wright L, Nguyen V, Wiley J, Vukelic M, Kim Psoriasis treatments in the stabilization of atherosclerosis: a systematic review. Arch Dermatol Res. 2024.
2) Scherlinger M, Pan W, Hisada R, Boulougoura A, Vukelic M, Tsokos T. CaMK4 controls T regulatory cell metabolism and defines their function and stability in SLE. Science Immun. 2022.
3) Chao C, Shihab N, Vukelic M. A rare case of myopericarditis in post Covid-19 pneumonia. Chest. 2021.
4) Vukelic M, Laloo A, Kyttaris V. Interleukin 23 is elevated in the serum of patients with SLE. Lupus.2020.
5) Vukelic M, Kono M, Tsokos GC. T cell Metabolism in Lupus. Immunometabolism. 2020.
6) Kono M, Maeda K, Gavanescu I, Pan W, Umeda M, Katsuyama E, Burbano C, Orite S, Vukelic M, Tsokos M, Yoshida N, Tsokos GC. Pyruvate kinase M2 is requisite for Th1 and Th17 differentiation. JCI Insight. 2019.
7) Vukelic M, Li Y, Vasileios K. Novel Treatments in Lupus. Front Immunol. 2018.
8) Ulrich V, Gelber S, Vukelic V, Sacharidou A, Herz J, Urbanus R, de Groot P,  Natale D, Harihara A, Redecha P, Abrahams V, Shaul P, Salmon JE, Mineo C. ApoE Receptor 2 mediates trophoblast dysfunction and pregnancy complications induced by antiphospholipid antibodies in mice. Arthritis Rheumatism. 2016.
9) Vukelic M, Qing X, Redecha P, Koo G and Salmon E. J. Cholinergic Receptors Modulate Immune Complex–Induced Inflammation In Vitro and In Vivo. The Journal of Immunology. 2013.
10) Danieli Andrade, Patricia B. Redecha, Milena Vukelic, Xiaoping Qing, Giorgio Perino, Jane E. Salmon, and Gloria C. Koo. Engraftment of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from systemic lupus erythematous and antiphospholipid syndrome patient donors into BALBRAG-2-/- IL- 2Rg-/- mice: a promising model for studying human disease. Arthritis Rheumatism. 2011.
11) Ohba Takahashi, Watanabe Hiroyuki, Murakami Manabu, Radovanovic Milena, Iino Kenji, Ishida Masaru, Tosa Shinya, Ono Kyoici, Ito Hiroshi. Amlodipine inhibits cell proliferation via PKD1-related pathway. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 2008.
12) Vukelic Milena, Hua Jing, Berman Jessica, Gao Xiaoni, Veri Maria, Huang Ling, Bonvini Enzio, Pricop Luminita, Crow Mary. Selective Blockade of the Inhibitory Receptor FcgRIIb (CD32B) on SLE PBMC Enhances Type I Interferon Pathway Activation. Arthritis Rheumatism. 2008.
13) Yoichiro Takahashi, Hiroyuki Watanabe, Manabu Murakami, Takayoshi Ohba, Milena Radovanovic, Kyoichi Ono, Toshihiko Iijima, Hiroshi Ito. Involvement of transient receptor potential canonical 1 (TRPC1) in angiotensin II-induced vascular smooth muscle cell hypertrophy. Atherosclerosis. 2007.
13) Yoichiro Takahashi, Hiroyuki Watanabe, Manabu Murakami, Milena Radovanovic, Takayoshi Ohba, Yoshiko Munehisa, Kenji Iino, Hiroshi Ito. Upregulation of TRPC1 is involved in Angiotensin II-induced vascular smooth muscle cell hypertrophy. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology. 2006.
POSTERS
1) Sharrock L, Anderson A, Lindsey S, Vukelic M. Strengthening Rheumatology Workforce Capacity and Impact on Patient Care in Louisiana: Expanding Fellowship Training Opportunities Through Strategic Partnerships. ACR Convergence 2025.
2) Seemal F, Tran J, Anderson A, Vukelic M. Failure of steroids and antimalarial therapy to normalize placental interferon and angiogenic gene expression in SLE. ACR Convergence 2025.
3) Ismaili D, Ezzy F, Vukelic M. Appointment adherence: impact of health portal access, letters, phone calls and text message reminders in underserved population. ACR Convergence 2024.
4) Jelic V, Piplani S, Bejugam VR, Kong S, Kolli ST, Jelic G, Komminni PK, Goguri SR, Radulovic M, Vukelic M. 30 days readmissions of osteoarthritis and independent predictors: insight from national readmission database. EULAR 2024.
5) Jelic V, Piplani S, Kolli ST , Komminni PK Reet J, Goguri SR, Bejugam VR, Kasire SP, Mogga P, Tanasijevic N, Damania D, Vukelic M, Radulovic M. Venous thromboembolism outcomes in general
population compared to individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus: insight from national inpatient sample 2015-2000. EULAR 2024.
6) Piplani S, Reet J, Kolli ST, Tufail MU, Jelic V, Chang K, Srivatsava A, Sakellakis M, Aljareh A, Kim H, Kasire SP, Chaturvedi S, Komminni PK, Kumari P, Vukelic M, Bejugam VR, Radulovic M. Prevalence and outcome of HLH and MAS in pa ents with systemic lupus erythematosus: systematic review and meta- analysis. EULAR 2024.
7) S. Piplani, V. Jelic, V. R. Bejugam, S. Kong, S. R. Goguri, S. T. Kolli, S. Chaturvedi, P. K. Komminni, G. Jelic, D. Damania, M. Vukelic, M. Radulovic. COPD outcomes in individuals with scleroderma compared to general population: a population based study. EULAR 2024.
8) S. Piplani, V. Jelic, S. Kong, V. R. Bejugam, M. Sedagha , N. Tanasijevic, D. Damania, J. Reet, M. Radulovic, M. Vukelic, B. Johnson, C. Tagoe. Sepsis outcomes in individuals with and without autoimmune rheumatic disease: a population based study. EULAR 2024.
7) V. Jelic, S. Piplani, G. Jelic, V. R. Bejugam, M. Sedagha , S. Kong, P. Mogga, S. T. Kolli, P. K. Komminni, S. R. Goguri, N. Tanasijevic, M. Radulovic, M. Vukelic. Diabe c ketoacidosis outcomes in individuals with autoimmune disease in comparison to individuals without: insight from national inpatient sample 2015-2019. EULAR 2024.
8) Ferraz N, Ismaili D, Vukelic M. Enhancing Internal Medicine Curriculum: Key Rheumatology Themes in Inpa ent Serng. ACR Convergence 2023.
9) Chen Chao, Davina Chen, Adam Adam, Zin Thawadar, Zin Min, Zinobia Khan, Milena Vukelic. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage with an unknown etiology. Chest 2023.
10) Chen Chao, Adam Adam, Zinobia Khan, Moses Bachan, Milena Vukelic. Tuberculous pleural effusion masquerading as drug-Induced lupus. Chest 2023.
11) Marc Scherlinger, Wenliang Pan, Ryo Hisada, Milena Vukelic, Masataka Umeda, Afrodi Boulougoura, Maria Tsokos and George Tsokos. Phosphofructokinase P fine-tunes T regulatory cell metabolism, function and stability in systemic autoimmunity. ACR Convergence 2022.
12) Peringeth G., Vukelic M. Ar ficial intelligence–enabled sentiment analysis of public attitude toward pregnancy in lupus social media group. ACR Convergence 2022.
13) Scherlinger M, Pan W, Hisada R, Boulougoura A, Vukelic M, Tsokos T. CaMK4 controls T regulatory cell metabolism and defines their function and stability in SLE. EULAR 2022.
14) Mena O, Chao C, Vukelic M. IgG4- related disease and SLE: coexistence in the kidneys.
EULAR 2022.
15) Milena Vukelic, Nobuya Yoshida, Masataka Umeda , Seo Yeon Orite, Rhea Bhargava, Michihito Kono, Irina Gavanescu-Stockton, Ryo Hisada and George Tsokos. Calcium/calmodulin - dependent protein kinase IV associates with phosphofructokinase to promote glycolysis and limit IL-2 production. Oral- American College of Rheumatology 2019.
16) Milena Vukelic, Anita Laloo and Vasileios Ky aris. Elevated serum Interleukin-23 level in pa ents with systemic lupus erythematous is associated with disease activity, clinical and immunological markers. American College of Rheumatology 2019
17) Jobira Woldemichael, Ngozika Orjioke, Milena Vukelic, Rediet Gebeyehu. The path to recovery from malignant status epilepticus. 16th Annual Southern Hospital Medicine
Conference. 2016.
18) Milena Vukelic, Gloria Koo and Jane E. Salmon. Immune-complex induced Inflammation is augmented in the absence nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in mice. American College of Rheumatology 2011.
19) Milena Vukelic, Gloria Koo, Jane E. Salmon. The role of cholinergic an -inflammatory pathway in immune stimulation. XXIII International Complement Conference; 2010.
20) Vukelic Milena, Hua Jing, Berman Jessica, Gao Xiaoni, Veri Maria, Huang Ling, Bonvini Enzio, Pricop Luminita, Crow Mary. Selective blockade of the inhibitory receptor FcgRIIb (CD32B) on SLE PBMC enhances type I interferon pathway activation. American College of Rheumatology 2008.
21) Jevtovic Djordje, Radovanovic Milena, Salemovic Dubravka, Ranin Jovan, Brmbolic Branko. Course and prognostic importance of thrombocytopenia in pa ents infected with HIV; 7-th European Conference on Clinical Aspects and Treatment of HIV infection; 1999, Lisbon.