Aimee Payne, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Payne is a Professor of Dermatology, Director of the Penn Clinical Autoimmunity Center of Excellence, and the lead physician in the Autoimmune Blistering Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania, one of the largest tertiary referral centers for autoimmune blistering diseases in the United States. Her research laboratory has contributed to three major areas of investigation: 1) cloning and characterization of B cell repertoires to understand how autoimmunity occurs in pemphigus, a model autoantibody-mediated skin blistering disease; 2) cell biologic studies to understand mechanisms for loss of cell adhesion; and 3) clinical-translational research to better understand current diagnostic tests and treatments and to develop novel targeted therapies for disease. In addition to her deep expertise in B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases, Dr. Payne’s laboratory – in collaboration with Dr. Milone – pioneered the CAAR T cell therapy concept for targeted depletion of autoreactive B cells that formed the scientific basis for the founding of Cabaletta Bio.
Dr. Payne also serves as Associate Director of the Medical Scientist Training Program, Core Director for the Skin Biology and Diseases Resource-based Center at the University of Pennsylvania, and Chair of the NIH/NIAMS Board of Scientific Counselors. She serves on the Medical Advisory Council of the International Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Foundation, which focuses on patient advocacy and education. Dr. Payne’s work in the field has been recognized with the Charles and Daneen Stiefel Scholar Award in Autoimmune Diseases, a Top 10 Clinical Research Forum Award, and election to the American Society of Clinical Investigation. She received her B.S. degree in Biology from Stanford University and an M.D./Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Washington University School of Medicine before training in dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania.
