News and Accolades
Department of Medicine Faculty Receive Four Clinical Transformation Program Grants
Beckwith Institute funding will support projects exploring new approaches to behavioral health, Sjögren’s disease, Fontan-associated exercise intolerance, and lung transplant rejection
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.
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
Sarah Gaffen, PhD, Named Distinguished Fellow by American Association of Immunologists
The Department of Medicine immunologist is recognized for a career of scientific leadership, discovery, and service to the field.
Dana Ascherman, MD, Receives Arthritis Foundation’s 2025 Pamela Massey Partners for Patients Award
The award is the Arthritis Foundation’s highest physician honor, recognizing Ascherman’s commitment to patient advocacy, clinical excellence, and community engagement.
Advancing Expertise: Inside UPMC’s Myositis Fellowship
UPMC’s Myositis Fellowship offers specialized, multidisciplinary training that prepares physicians to lead in the care and research of complex inflammatory muscle diseases.
Flipping the Diagnostic Framework
Daniella Schwartz, MD, and Pitt’s Pittsburgh Immunogenetics Discovery Center are rethinking how inflammatory and autoimmune genetic disorders are diagnosed and treated.
The Pittsburgh Foundation invests in understanding of chronic diseases
With support from The Pittsburgh Foundation, Dr. Sarah Gaffen research on Il-17 could led to new treatments for autoimmune disease.
Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Building Clinical Platform for Emerging Cellular Therapies in Autoimmune Diseases
A division-wide, multidisciplinary effort is creating the clinical and research infrastructure to bring CAR T and future cellular therapies into autoimmune care.
A new U54 grant awarded to Dr. Mehret Birru Talabi will focus on advancing reproductive health for Black populations in Western Pennsylvania
Through multi-level research projects, the project will address key factors related to maternal morbidity and mortality across the reproductive span among Black populations.
Department of Medicine faculty honored with Chancellor’s Distinguished Awards
Drs. Mehret Birru Talabi, Marie Norman, and Thuy Bui were honored for their commitment to research, training, and public service.
Drs. Katie Berlacher and Sarah Gaffen named inaugural recipients of the Margaret Ragni Award for Advancement of Women in Medicine and Science
The award recognizes Drs. Berlacher’s and Gaffen’s commitment to research and mentorship as women leaders in the Department of Medicine.