Congratulations to Judy Smith, MD, PhD, associate professor, Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, on her recently awarded R21 from the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for her project, “Unfolded protein response (UPR) determinants of Brucella virulence.” The two-year grant, in the amount of $427,625, will allow Smith to investigate the role of the UPR target gene C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) in murine and human macrophages in Brucella virulence. She will also establish a mouse model to study spondyloarthritis, the most frequent complication of brucellosis. The study will further understanding of how the UPR mediates the relationships between bacterial invaders, host responses, and disease manifestations.