Tiniakou, Biliciler to lead Myositis Program
Eleni Tiniakou, MD
To help inaugurate the first comprehensive myositis program in the state of Texas, the Department of Internal Medicine and the Department of Neurology have named Eleni Tiniakou, MD, and Suur Biliciler, MD, as co-directors for the Myositis Program in the Division of Rheumatology.
“This was an opportunity to build something transformative for patients with rate autoimmune muscle diseases,” Tiniakou said. “When I learned there was no dedicated myositis clinic in Texas, I knew this was a chance to make a real impact. Launching a comprehensive program in partnership with neurology means patients can finally receive coordinated expert care close to home.”
Myositis is a group of rare conditions characterized by inflammation of the muscles, leading to symptoms like progressive muscle weakness, pain, and fatigue. Inflammation can stem from various causes — such as infections or certain medications, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacking its own muscle tissue — and makes everyday movements challenging for those affected.
“Myositis is a complex disease and often misunderstood. It requires collaboration across specialties,” Tiniakou said. “Our clinic brings together rheumatology, neurology, pulmonology, and other disciplines to provide coordinated care and accelerate discovery. We want patients to feel they have a home where every aspect of their condition is understood.”
This commitment to comprehensive, collaborative care is a vision shared by both co-directors.
Suur Biliciler, MD
Tiniakou completed medical school at the University of Athens in Greece, and subsequently completed her rheumatology fellowship at Johns Hopkins University, where she continued as a faculty member for almost 10 years. At the same time, she conducted research in autoimmune myopathies. Her work focuses on understanding antigen processing and T-cell responses in myositis, supported by multiple NIH grants.
In addition to her appointment as co-director of the myositis program, Tiniakou is an associate professor of internal medicine and will be involved in mentoring junior faculty. Beyond clinical care, she is leading translational research projects and innovative studies and preparing several clinical trials, including NIH-funded and investigator-initiated studies on IVIG therapy and emerging cell-based treatments.
Biliciler received her medical degree from Istanbul University in 1998. She completed residency training in neurology at St. Louis University Hospital in Missouri in 2006 and went on to complete a fellowship in neuromuscular disease at Baylor College of Medicine in 2008.
Her clinical interests include nerve and muscle pathology, and the diagnosis, treatment, and management of all types of neuromuscular disorders. Her research interests focus on muscular dystrophies and inflammatory myopathies.
“The ultimate goal is to improve outcomes and quality of life for patients,” Tiniakou said. “By integrating research and care, we can move the field forward and offer hope where options have been limited.”
Patients seeking an appointment for myositis treatment can contact the UT Physicians Center for Autoimmunity at 713-486-3100.