News and Accolades
Iain Scott, PhD, named Associate Director of the Vascular Medicine Institute
In his new role, Dr. Scott will strengthen faculty mentorship, lead career development initiatives, and support strategic growth in research and recruitment.
Scientists in the Division of PACCSM Discover New Cellular Driver of Pulmonary Fibrosis
In the Nature Communications study led by Melanie Königshoff, MD, PhD, lysyl oxidase was shown to fuel scarring with an existing drug serving as a new potential treatment.
Research led by Bokai Zhu, PhD, Uncovers Novel Way to Treat Neurodegeneration by Targeting Nuclear Speckles
A repurposed pinworm drug was found to restore cellular protein balance and dramatically reduce toxic proteins in models of neurodegeneration, offering new potential treatments
VMI Researchers Develop Groundbreaking Antidote for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Research led by Jesus Tejero, PhD, has found that a novel protein therapy, RcoM-HBD-CCC, clears CO from the bloodstream faster than current treatments, with potential for use by first responders in the field.
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.
Kidneys Sound the Alarm on Low Potassium Levels
Researchers from the Renal-Electrolyte Division, including Dr. Cary Boyd-Shiwarski, reveal how a cellular “emergency response” in the kidney helps conserve potassium and carries implications for cardiovascular disease.
New Genetic Test Could Improve Kidney Transplant Outcomes
Research led by Dr. Aravind Cherukuri recently published in Science Translational Medicine identifies SIRPα mismatch as a key predictor of transplant rejection, offering a new tool to personalize immunosuppression and extend graft longevity.
Two Department of Medicine faculty receive Pitt Health Sciences Ascending Stars Awards
Established in 2022 by Anantha Shekhar, senior vice chancellor for the health sciences and John and Gertrude Petersen Dean of the School of Medicine, the Ascending Star Awards recognize highly productive and creative mid-career faculty with an award of $25,000. This...
Gavin Arteel, PhD, named as new Associate Vice Chair for Faculty Advancement
It is our pleasure to announce the appointment of Gavin E. Arteel, PhD, as Associate Vice Chair for Academic Affairs, effective July 1, 2025. Dr. Arteel joined the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine faculty as a Professor of Medicine in the Division of...
New Research Reveals Arginine as Key Regulator of Dangerous Bacterial Phenotype
Researchers in the Division of Infectious Diseases have identified how a common amino acid triggers hypervirulence in Klebsiella pneumoniae.
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.
Dr. Adele Towers Leads Rollout of BrainCheck Cognitive Assessment Platform
Guided by Dr. Towers, UPMC adopted BrainCheck to offer quicker, more accessible cognitive health assessments for patients in primary care settings.
New Study by Dr. Frank Sciurba et al. Shows Promising Results for COPD Treatment
A new study led by Dr. Frank Sciurba, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, reveals that mepolizumab can significantly reduce exacerbations in COPD patients with eosinophilic inflammation—affecting up to 40% of those with the disease.
Dr. Shivdev Rao named as one of the most influential people in health by TIME
The TIME100 Health list features Rao for utilizing AI to transcribe conversations with patients, reducing the burden on physicians.
Telemedicine Improves Access to Endocrinology Care for Rural Patients
Researchers in the Divisions of Endocrinology and General Internal Medicine found that the increased availability of telemedicine during the pandemic improved access to endocrinology care for rural patients with type 2 diabetes.
Researchers in the Division of Infectious Diseases Develop an Outbreak Detection System that Saves Lives
The Enhanced Detection System for Healthcare-Associated Transmission uses genomic sequencing to analyze infectious disease samples from patients to determine an outbreak and stop transmission.
Stephen Chan, MD, PhD, elected Vice President of the American Society for Clinical Investigation
In this role, Chan will help support programs that highlight the importance of physician-scientists in biomedical research.
New Associate Vice Chairs appointed to assist with the DOM’s clinical mission
Esra French, MD, MBA, was named Associate Vice Chair for Ambulatory Medicine while Eric Dueweke, MD, MBA, named Associate Vice Chair for Inpatient Medicine and Care Standardization
New Approach Could Treat Anthrax Beyond the “Point of No Return”
Shihui Liu, PhD, and researchers at the Aging Institute found that a cocktail of growth factors reversed would-be lethal cell damage in mice with anthrax.