News and Accolades
DOM Faculty Lead First-Ever JCI Insight Thematic Issue on Fibrosis
Gavin Arteel, PhD, and Melanie Königshoff, MD, PhD, led JCI Insight‘s first-ever thematic issue, showcasing advances in fibrosis research from investigators around the world, including numerous contributions from the Department of Medicine.
From Genomics to Precision Care: Q&A with William Reed Doerfler, MD, MS
The Pitt endocrinologist discusses the evolution of molecular testing, ThyroSeq®, and the future of personalized treatment for thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer.
Matthew Steinhauser, MD, Named New Deputy Editor for Circulation
Steinhauser will oversee Translational Science, Therapeutics and Physiology as part of the flagship cardiovascular journal’s new editorial leadership team.
When Antibiotics Aren’t Enough: Pitt Advances the Next Generation of Infection Treatment
A new NIH NIAID P01 grant establishes the Pitt Center for Accelerating Phage Therapy (P-CAPT), positioning Pitt to advance phage therapy as a promising new treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections.
Your Ticket to Safe Travels: UPMC’s Travel Health Program
Whether you’re traveling for work or the vacation of a lifetime, healthy travel starts before takeoff. UPMC’s Travel Health Program helps travelers prepare for trips and provides expert care if illness follows them home.
Transforming Kidney Care
By embedding specialty expertise within primary care, Kidney CHAMP ensures patients with CKD receive timely, evidence-based interventions before advanced disease develops.
Recap: DOM Research Day, 2026
With career development workshops, plenary talks, and over 248 abstracts, the 24th Annual DOM Research Day showcased the breadth of impactful research happening across the DOM.
NIH Funds First Coordinated U.S. Research Network for Phage Therapeutics
The Pitt Center for Accelerating Phage Therapy, directed by Daria Van Tyne, PhD, aims to bridge critical gaps between laboratory discovery and patient-ready treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections.
Blood Vessel Damage Ties Respiratory Viruses to Cardiovascular Events
Led by William Bain, MD, and Jana Jacobs, PhD, researchers from the Divisions of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine and Infectious Diseases helped uncover how vascular injury may drive life-threatening complications in viral respiratory infections.
New Study Maps Cellular Drivers of Fontan-Associated Liver Disease
Research led by Anita Saraf, MD, PhD, identified key cellular and molecular changes driving liver disease in patients with Fontan circulation, offering new insights into diagnosis, transplant timing, and potential future therapies.
Patrick Strollo, Jr., MD, and Sanjay Patel, MD, MS, Coauthor Phase 3 Trial of First Once-Nightly Pill for Sleep Apnea
New research led by Strollo and Patel found that the investigational oral therapy AD109 significantly reduced breathing interruptions and improved oxygen levels in adults with obstructive sleep apnea who could not tolerate CPAP.
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.
Scott Biggins, MD, Coauthors Study on MELD Exception Denials for Liver Cancer Patients
Research coauthored by Biggins found that liver transplant candidates denied MELD score exceptions for hepatocellular carcinoma had more aggressive tumor characteristics, reinforcing the importance of expert clinical review.
Krithika Rao, PhD, among this year’s Nancy Tannery Grant awardees
Rao was recognized for developing an open-access guide to biomedical research designed to enhance student learning and improve accessibility to course materials.
Three PACCSM Faculty Earn National Recognition with 2026 ATS Awards
Drs. Kambez Benam, Charles Dela Cruz, and Alicia Rizzo honored for leadership, innovation, and research excellence in pulmonary and critical care medicine
Phase 3 VALOR Trial Published in The New England Journal of Medicine Shows Promise of Targeted Therapy for Dermatomyositis
Rohit Aggarwal, MD, MS, and colleagues found that brepocitinib improved muscle strength, skin disease activity, and physical function in patients with treatment-resistant dermatomyositis.
Drs. Mehret Birru Talabi and Flordeliza Villanueva named 2026 Margaret Ragni Awardees
This annual award recognizes outstanding achievement, mentorship, and leadership in advancing women in medicine and science
Stephen Chan, MD, PhD, Named 2026 Harrington Scholar-Innovator
The VMI Director was recognized for his research focused on new therapeutic approaches for pulmonary hypertension
Sonya Borrero Appointed to National Academies Committee on Contraception Access
Borrero will help lead national effort evaluating strategies to improve contraceptive affordability and availability in the United States