Dr Eve Smith's research programmes are inspired by my clinical practice, where she is drawn to areas of considerable unmet need in paediatric rheumatology. 

Dr Smith leads the TARGET LUPUS programme, which integrates data science, biomarker discovery, and international collaboration to improve outcomes for children and young people with systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE).

Treat-to-Target in Childhood-Onset Lupus (cSLE)

Despite therapeutic advances, children with cSLE continue to experience significant disease burden. Dr Smith leads international efforts to develop and implement a treat-to-target (T2T) approach tailored to paediatric populations. This includes consensus definitions for remission and low disease activity, development of T2T tools, and validation of targets using global registry data. Her work has shown that achieving T2T goals reduces flare risk and long-term damage, offering a structured and personalised approach to care.

Urine Biomarkers for Lupus Nephritis

Dr Smith's PhD research established and validated a panel of urinary biomarkers for active lupus nephritis in children, in collaboration with international partners and industry. These biomarkers offer a non-invasive method to monitor disease activity and predict treatment response. Ongoing studies, including NEPHROTARGET, aim to integrate biomarker monitoring into T2T strategies, enabling earlier intervention and improved outcomes.

Collaborative International Registry Research, Data Science and cSLE Outcomes

Dr Smith co-leads the cSLE-T2T-GLOBAL study, integrating data from major international registries (UK JSLE Cohort, CARRA, JIR) to evaluate T2T targets and develop predictive models using machine learning. This work supports personalised medicine and highlights disparities in care and outcomes. She also contributes to the development of core datasets for international registry-based research, fostering harmonisation and collaboration across continents.

Improving Life-Course Outcomes and Integration of Paediatric and Adult Rheumatology Research

Children with rheumatic diseases often face more severe disease than adults, yet paediatric research remains underrepresented. Dr Smith advocates for life-course research that bridges paediatric and adult rheumatology, ensuring continuity of care and relevance of findings across age groups. I bring paediatric expertise to adult-focused trials (e.g. NIHR FIRST, LUPUS TRM), and lead initiatives to embed paediatric perspectives in national guidelines and service development.