News and Accolades
John Kirkwood Recognized as Keynote Speaker for Distinguished Cancer Lecture
Kirkwood delivered the keynote address for the Thomas E. Richards Distinguished Lecture Series, reflecting on his career advancing melanoma research and transforming patient care.
Geriatrics, Infectious Diseases and Oncology Rank Among Global Leaders
Pitt’s strengths in geriatrics and gerontology, infectious diseases, and oncology helped place the University among the world’s leading institutions in the 2025–2026 University Ranking by Academic Performance.
A Moving Target: Advancing Cancer Immunotherapy
Cancer can change in response to its surroundings and to treatment, making resistance a moving target. Hillman Cancer Center researchers are studying these changes from multiple angles to develop more precise, durable, and adaptable approaches to cancer immunotherapy.
Leading the Next Era of Cancer Care
John C. Byrd, MD, discusses the personal experiences that shaped his career, his vision for UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, and how expanding access, accelerating discovery, and strengthening clinical trials will transform cancer care in a recent UPMC Health Discovery Report Leadership Spotlight.
Julia Foldi, MD, PhD, Helps Lead Expansion of Breast Cancer Vaccine Trial to Central Pennsylvania
In collaboration with researchers and clinicians at UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh, Foldi is helping advance a first-of-its-kind vaccine study aimed at preventing breast cancer before it develops.
Three Department of Medicine faculty selected for 2026 Ascending Star Awards
Drs. Mehret Birru Talabi, Lan Coffman, and Daria Van Tyne are among this year’s Health Sciences Ascending Star honorees, recognizing innovative midcareer faculty for excellence in research, mentorship, and impact.
Jason Becker, MD, and Wei Du, MD, PhD, Elected to American Society for Clinical Investigation
The Department of Medicine researchers join an elite honor society recognizing outstanding physician-scientist achievements, while colleagues across the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine also earn ASCI recognition.
John Byrd, MD, Receives 2025 Blood Cancer United Excellence in Scientific Service Award
The Blood Cancer United award recognizes Byrd’s decades-long commitment to advancing targeted therapies that have reshaped care for patients with leukemia.
Charles E. Geyer, Jr., MD, Named New Malignant Hematology and Medical Oncology Chief
In this recent QnA, Dr. Charles Geyer discusses his current research, the importance of well-designed clinical trials, and his vision for the future of the Division of Malignant Hematology and Medical Oncology.
Renowned Hematologic Oncologist Dr. John C. Byrd Named Director of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
With a distinguished career advancing blood cancer research and patient care, Byrd will join the Division of Malignant Hematology and Medical Oncology and lead all cancer-related research at UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh, beginning November 2025.
New Gift Will Accelerate Breakthroughs in Sarcoma Research by DOM Faculty
The new Dr. John A. Shoener Family Endowed Research Fund for Sarcoma will support studies aimed at improving outcomes for this understudied group of cancers.
Dr. Yana Najjar Honored with 2025 Sy Holzer Endowed Immunotherapy Research Award
Recognized for her innovative work on treatment-resistant and rare melanomas, Dr. Najjar will use the award to develop next-generation immunotherapy strategies.