Giovanna Rosas, MD Receives Research Award and Travel Grant for Innovative Thermography Project

We are pleased to announce that second year fellow, Giovanna Rosas, MD, has received a $2,500 award and a $2,000 travel grant for her poster abstract “Developing & Piloting a Standardized Infrared Thermography Protocol to Expedite Rheumatology Referrals” at the Spring 2026 New York State Rheumatology Society Conference.

The recognition highlights Dr. Rosas’s commitment to advancing innovative approaches to rheumatologic care, with a focus on improving the identification and timely evaluation of patients with possible inflammatory arthritis.

Her research explores the use of infrared thermography (IRT), a noninvasive imaging technique that measures surface temperature, as a potential tool to help identify joint inflammation and guide rheumatology referrals. By developing and piloting a standardized protocol, the project seeks to support more efficient referral processes and help patients who may benefit from timely specialist evaluation access rheumatologic care sooner.

Improving access to rheumatology services remains an important clinical priority, particularly for patients with suspected inflammatory arthritis, for whom timely diagnosis and treatment can help reduce disease-related complications. Dr. Rosas’s work represents a promising approach to exploring how accessible imaging technologies may complement existing clinical assessment and referral practices.

The award and travel grant were presented in connection with the New York State Rheumatology Society’s Spring 2026 Research Poster Competition. This recognition celebrates Dr. Rosas’s scholarly contributions and dedication to advancing research with the potential to improve patient care.

Columbia’s Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology congratulates Dr. Rosas on this achievement and looks forward to her continued contributions to rheumatology research, innovation, and clinical care.