Faculty

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Name Contact Programs Research Interest
Susanne Ahmari, MD, PhD
 ahmarise@upmc.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2: Neural Computation (CMU)
Circuit dynamics underlying pathology and treatment of compulsive behaviors and anxiety disorder
Jinwoo Ahn, PhD
 jia12@pitt.edu
Program 1: Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology
Program 2:
Functional and structural studies of HIV accessory proteins and their human cellular partners;SAMHD1 dual enzyme activities
Elias Aizenman, PhD
 redox@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2:
Cellular and Molecular Basis of Neurodegeneration
Howard Aizenstein, MD, PhD
 aizen@pitt.edu
Program 1: Bioengineering
Program 2: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Our lab uses structural and functional MRI to study the brain changes associated with aging, and the disorders of aging
Kathryn Albers, PhD
 kaa2@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2:
Growth factor and transcriptional regulation of neuronal function in pain and disease.
Carolyn Anderson, PhD
 andersoncj@upmc.edu
Program 1: Bioengineering
Program 2: Molecular Pharmacology
The development of metal-based radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosis and targeted radiotherapy of cancer and other diseases
Gerard Apodaca, PhD
 gla6@pitt.edu
Program 1: Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology
Program 2:
Endocytic pathways and stretch-regulated endocytosis/exocytosis in bladder.
Bruce Armitage, PhD
 army@cmu.edu
Program 1: Biological Sciences (CMU)
Program 2:
Bioorganic Chemistry, Fluorescent Dyes, DNA Nanotechnology, Molecular Evolution, Peptide Nucleic Acids, Molecular Recognition of DNA/RNA, G Quadruplexes
Stephen Badylak, MD, PhD
 badylaks@upmc.edu
Program 1: Bioengineering
Program 2: Cellular and Molecular Pathology
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, emphasis upon clinical application; cell:biomaterial interactions; epimorphic regeneration in mammals
Ivet Bahar, PhD
 bahar@pitt.edu
Program 1: Computational Biology
Program 2: Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology
Biomolecular systems dynamics; computer-aided drug discovery; network models for protein-protein interactions.
Christopher Bakkenist, PhD
 bakkenistcj@upmc.edu
Program 1: Molecular Pharmacology
Program 2:
Identify phosphorylations, dephosphorylations and acetylations that regulate ATM activity in vivo.
Alison Barth, PhD
 albarth@andrew.cmu.edu
Program 1: Biological Sciences (CMU)
Program 2: Neural Computation (CMU)
The organization and plasticity of neocortical circuits in rodents.
Carlton Bates, MD
 cmb127@pitt.edu Role of FGF Receptors in the Developing Kidney, Genetic Model of Urogenital Development and Obstruction,and Role of fibroblast growth factor receptors (Fgfrs) in embryonic kidney development using conditional knockout mouse models
Aaron Batista, PhD
 apb10@pitt.edu
Program 1: Bioengineering
Program 2: Neural Computation (CMU)
Neurophysiology of sensory-motor coordination, brain-machine interfaces.
Hulya Bayir, MD
 hub22@pitt.edu
Program 1: Epidemiology
Program 2:
Clinical lipidomics and oxidative lipidomics; Imaging mass spectrometry; Redox mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal death
Marlene Behrmann, PhD
 behrmann@cmu.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2: Psychology (CMU)
Interdisciplinary approach to explore how the signals from the eye are transformed into meaningful percepts by the brain
Sarah Berman, MD, PhD
 bermans@upmc.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2:
Role of mitochondrial dynamics in Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases
Kara Bernstein, PhD
 karab@pitt.edu
Program 1: Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology
Program 2:
Repair of DNA damage is crucial to prevent mutations observed in cancer. Using live cell imaging, we study how double-strand breaks are repaired.
Timothy Billiar, MD
 billiartr@upmc.edu
Program 1: Cellular and Molecular Pathology
Program 2:
The Billiar Lab focuses on the immune responses to acute systemic stresses of major clinical relevance including trauma and surgical sepsis
Robert Binder, PhD
 rjb42@pitt.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
The mechanisms of cross-priming of antigens during immune responses to cancer, viruses and autoimmunity
David Binion, MD
 biniond@upmc.edu Defining the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying human chronic gut inflammation and the translation of this knowledge into improved care for patients suffering from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Jennifer Bomberger, PhD
 jbomb@pitt.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
Understanding the molecular mechanisms for viral-bacterial synergy in the lungs of chronic lung disease patients
Lisa Borghesi, PhD
 borghesi@pitt.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
Demand adapted hematopoiesis in infection and inflammation.
Harvey Borovetz, PhD
 borovetzhs@upmc.edu
Program 1: Bioengineering
Program 2:
Cardiovascular organ replacements for adult and pediatric patients.
Richard Boyce, PhD
 rbd20@pitt.edu
Program 1: Biomedical Informatics
Program 2:
Informatics interventions to improve medication safety, especially for older adults; Structured publishing of biomedical knowledge and data
Jeffrey Brodsky, PhD
 jbrodsky@pitt.edu
Program 1: Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology
Program 2: Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology
Protein “quality control”, diseases associated with misfolded proteins, and drug treatments for these diseases
Timothy Burns, MD, PhD
 burnstf@upmc.edu
Program 1: Molecular Pharmacology
Program 2:
Development of targeted therapies for KRAS mutant NSCLC; Reactivation of OIS and apoptosis; Mechanisms of acquired resistance to targeted agents
Edward Burton, MD, DPhil
 eab25@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2:
Analysis of the molecular pathogenesis of neurological diseases using viral gene transfer and novel zebrafish models
Lisa Butterfield, PhD
 butterfieldl@upmc.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
The Butterfield lab focuses on cross-talk between tumor antigens and the immune system in melanoma and hepatocellular cancer (HCC) patients
Carlos Camacho, PhD
 ccamacho@pitt.edu
Program 1: Computational Biology
Program 2:
Computational drug discovery
Jane Cauley, DrPH
 jcauley@edc.pitt.edu
Program 1: Epidemiology
Program 2:
Osteoporosis treatment and the consequences of osteoporosis in both men and women.
J. Richard Chaillet, MD, PhD
 chaillet@pitt.edu
Program 1: Cellular and Molecular Pathology
Program 2:
My laboratory studies the roles of the DNMT1 cytosine methyltransferase in inheritance of genomic imprints and in placental development and function.
Stephen Chan, MD, PhD
 chansy@upmc.edu
Program 1: Cellular and Molecular Pathology
Program 2:
basic science and translational research studying the molecular mechanisms of pulmonary vascular disease and pulmonary hypertension
Yuan Chang, MD
 yc70@pitt.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2: Cellular and Molecular Pathology
The study of human tumor viruses
Jun Chen, MD, PhD
 chenj2@upmc.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2: Molecular Pharmacology
Mechanisms of cell death and neuroprotection in cerebral ischemia and Parkinson's disease.
Charleen Chu, MD, PhD
 ctc4@pitt.edu
Program 1: Cellular and Molecular Pathology
Program 2: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Redox signaling & autophagy in neuroprotection and neurodegeneration; mitochondrial phosphoproteomics; genetic & toxin models of Parkinson's disease
Paula Clemens, MD
 clemenspr@upmc.edu
Program 1: Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology
Program 2: Cellular and Molecular Pathology
Models of muscle disease causing muscular dystrophy and muscle atrophy. Translational research for treatment of muscle disease.
Marlene Cohen, PhD
 cohenm@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2:
My group studies the way visual information is encoded in groups of neurons and used to guide behavior.
Carol Colby, PhD
 ccolby@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2: Neural Computation (CMU)
Professor Colby's research is on neural mechanisms of spatial cognition, it encompasses a wide range of cognitive processes, including perception, attention, working memory, and the generation of action
James Conway, PhD
 jxc100@pitt.edu
Program 1: Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology
Program 2:
Structure and function of virus capsids using cryo-electron microscopy; combine with subunit atomic models to examine interfaces.
Keith Cook, PhD
 keicook@andrew.cmu.edu
Program 1: Biomedical Engineering (CMU)
Program 2:
Artificial lungs; hemodynamics, pulmonary drug delivery; liquid ventilation; right ventricular function, critical care medicine
Vaughn Cooper, PhD
 vaughn.cooper@pitt.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
To understand how bacteria adapt to new environments and/or cause disease. Biofilm-associated infections are our primary focus.
Carolyn Coyne, PhD
 coynec2@pitt.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
Virology, immunology, and cell biology to dissect various aspects of host-virus interactions, with a particular focus on polarized cell types.
Louise D'Cruz, PhD
 ldcruz@pitt.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
The D’Cruz lab focuses on how innate and adaptive effector T cells respond to infectious agents.
Lance Davidson, PhD
 lance.a.davidson@pitt.edu
Program 1: Bioengineering
Program 2: Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology
Our group combines experimental and theoretical approaches to reverse-engineer the inherently mechanical processes of cell and tissue development.
Brian Davis, PhD
 bmd1@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2:
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of central and peripheral nervous system development and plasticity
Marie DeFrancis, MD, PhD
 defrancesmc@upmc.edu
Program 1: Cellular and Molecular Pathology
Program 2:
HGF-MET-PI3K signaling in liver development, growth, regeneration and cancer. She has identified a novel regulator of the catalytic subunit of PI3K (p110) called PI3K interacting protein 1 (PIK3IP1)
Donald DeFranco, PhD
 dod1@pitt.edu
Program 1: Molecular Pharmacology
Program 2: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Steroid hormone action in neural stem cells and cancer
Alex Deiters, PhD
 deiters@pitt.edu
Program 1: Chemistry
Program 2: Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology
Development of chemical tools to explore disease-relevant biological questions, with a focus on optical and small molecule control of cell function
Greg Delgoffe, PhD
 delgoffeg@upmc.edu
Program 1: Immunology
Program 2:
The metabolic regulation of T cell function, with a specific focus of those T cells that infiltrate the nutrient-poor tumor microenvironment.
Neal DeLuca, PhD
 ndeluca@pitt.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2: Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology
HSV gene expression in productive and persistent infections
Terry Dermody, MD
 terence.dermody@chp.edu
Program 1:
Program 2:
Research in the Dermody laboratory focuses on the molecular mechanisms of Mammalian Orthoreovirus (reovirus) and Chikungunya virus infections.
Mary Amanda Dew, PhD
 dewma@upmc.edu
Program 1: Clinical and Translational Science
Program 2: Epidemiology
Behavioral mental health and quality of life outcomes in end-stage organ disease, transplantation, and living donation; research methodology
Edward Dixon, PhD
 dixonec@upmc.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2:
Mechanisms of post-traumatic memory deficits, models of traumatic brain injury, and functional outcomes.
Brent Doiron, PhD
 bdoiron@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neural Computation (CMU)
Program 2:
General research program seeks to identify how single neurons and networks of neurons code information about relevant inputs.
Andrew Duncan, PhD
 duncana@pitt.edu
Program 1: Cellular and Molecular Pathology
Program 2:
Research in the Duncan lab focuses on liver development, homeostasis and regeneration.
James Faeder, PhD
 faeder@pitt.edu
Program 1: Computational Biology
Program 2:
My lab is interested in developing mathematical models of biological regulatory processes that integrate specific knowledge about protein-protein interactions.
William Federspiel, PhD, MS
 federspielwj@upmc.edu
Program 1: Bioengineering
Program 2:
Respiratory assist and blood processing devices for critical care medicine. Cardiovascular and pulmonary transport phenomena.
Adam Feinberg, PhD
 feinberg@andrew.cmu.edu
Program 1: Biomedical Engineering (CMU)
Program 2:
We develop materials-based, engineering strategies to control the self-organization and assembly of various cell types into tissues using nanoscale fabrication and 3D bioprinting. Understanding of higher-order function in biological systems.
Robert Ferris, MD, PhD
 ferrisrl@upmc.edu
Program 1: Immunology
Program 2:
Mechanisms of immune escape and clinical translation to therapeutic cancer immunotherapy trials
Julie Fiez, PhD
 fiez@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2: Neural Computation (CMU)
Cognitive and educational neuroscience of reading, language, math, and learning.
Michael Fine, MD, MSc
 finemj@upmc.edu
Program 1: Clinical and Translational Science
Program 2:
Ways to improve the quality of medical care for patients with common medical problems
Kenneth Fish, PhD
 fishkn@upmc.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2:
Functional consequences of altered connectivity in schizophrenia; the early secretory pathway’s role in neurodevelopment and synaptogenesis
JoAnne Flynn, PhD
 joanne@pitt.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
Immunology and Pathogenesis of Tuberculosis.
Bruce Freeman, PhD
 freerad@pitt.edu
Program 1: Molecular Pharmacology
Program 2:
The production and signal transduction properties of oxidizing and free radical mediators in metabolic, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
James Funderburgh, PhD
 jlfunder@pitt.edu
Program 1: Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology
Program 2: Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology
Stem cells and stem cell therapy, wound healing, tissue regeneration, biological roles of extracellular matrix
Sharyl Fyffe-Maricich, PhD
 sharyl.fyffemaricich@chp.edu My lab is interested in understanding the molecules and signaling pathways that are essential for controlling the onset of myelination and for determining the thickness of the myelin sheaths that are generated.
Neeraj Gandhi, PhD
 neg8@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2: Neural Computation (CMU)
Neural basis of sensorimotor integration and cognition
Hartmut Geyer, PhD
 hgeyer@cs.cmu.edu
Program 1: Biomedical Engineering (CMU)
Program 2:
Principles of legged dynamics and control, their relation to human motor control, and resulting applications in rehabilitation technology
Aryn Gittis, PhD
 agittis@cmu.edu
Program 1: Biological Sciences (CMU)
Program 2: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Neural circuits in the basal ganglia involved in motor control and disease
Mark Gladwin, MD
 mtg16@pitt.edu
Program 1: Bioengineering
Program 2:
Biophysical and biochemical measures and mouse models to investigate a novel therapeutic intervention for carbon monoxide poisoning
Michael Gold, PhD
 msg22@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2:
A translational approach used to study peripheral mechanisms of pain
Vanathi Gopalakrishnan, PhD
 vanathi@pitt.edu
Program 1: Biomedical Informatics
Program 2: Computational Biology
Predictive modeling for disease classification and biomarker discovery using novel machine learning and knowledge-based approaches
Anthony Grace, PhD
 graceaa@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2:
Neurophysiology of basal ganglia system related to psychiatric disorders.
Steven Graham, MD, PhD
 sgra@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2:
How gene expression and activity control cell death in neurons subjected to anoxia, ischemia and other insults.
Angela Gronenborn, PhD
 amg100@pitt.edu
Program 1: Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology
Program 2: Molecular Pharmacology
Combining NMR spectroscopy w/Biophysics, Biochem&Chem to investigate cellular processes at the molecular & atomic levels in relation to human disease
Jeff Gross, PhD
 grossjm@pitt.edu
Program 1: Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology
Program 2:
Our research focuses on vertebrate eye development, disease modeling and regeneration utilizing the zebrafish as a model system.
Timothy Hand, PhD
 timothy.hand@chp.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
Understand the causes of diseases with disruptions between immune system and the microbiota, such as Crohn’s Disease and Environmental Enteropathy.
Lee Harrison, MD
 lharriso@edc.pitt.edu
Program 1: Epidemiology
Program 2:
Epidemiology and molecular epidemiology of bacterial pathogens; Epidemiology and prevention of HIV infection in Brazil
Teresa Hastings, PhD
 hastingst@upmc.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2:
Oxidative mechanisms associated with neurodegeneration.
Graham Hatfull, PhD
 gfh@pitt.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
The Hatfull lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh studies the molecular genetics of the mycobacteria and their mycobacteriophages.
Vicki Helgeson, PhD
 vh2e@andrew.cmu.edu
Program 1: Psychology (CMU)
Program 2:
implications of gender personality and social environmental variables for how people adjust to chronic illness
Robert Hendricks, PhD
 hendricksrr@upmc.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
The role of T cells in maintaining HSV-1 latency in sensory ganglia, and in mediating immunopathology in HSV-1 infected corneas
Andrew Hinck, PhD
 ahinck@pitt.edu
Program 1: Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology
Program 2:
Studying signaling proteins and receptors of the TGF-beta family, deciphering the molecular adaptations that the signaling proteins, single-pass transmembrane receptors, downstream effectors, and multitude of extracellular and intracellular modulators.
Chien Ho, PhD
 chienho@andrew.cmu.edu
Program 1: Biological Sciences (CMU)
Program 2:
To investigate structural, dynamic, and functional properties of proteins by NMR; to track immune responses in vivo by molecular and cellular imaging
Jackie Ho, MD
 jacqueline.ho2@chp.edu
Program 1: Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology
Program 2:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing public health burden that results in significant morbidity and increased risk of mortality for individual patients.
Lori Holt, PhD
 loriholt@cmu.edu
Program 1: Psychology (CMU)
Program 2: Neuroscience (CNUP)
My lab investigates the cognitive and neurobiological bases of how human listeners use sound. This involves study of speech communication, auditory perception, attention, and learning.
Gregg Homanics, PhD
 HomanicsGE@anes.upmc.edu
Program 1: Molecular Pharmacology
Program 2: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Understanding the molecular mechanism(s) of action of alcohol.
John Horn, PhD
 jph@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2: Molecular Pharmacology
Synaptic Computation and Neuromodulation in Catecholaminergic Neurons; Nicotinic receptors; G-protein coupled receptors
Neil Hukriede, PhD
 hukriede@pitt.edu
Program 1: Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology
Program 2:
Identify renal progenitor cells, determine their role in patterning the embryonic kidney, and relate these events to kidney regeneration.
Jon Johnson, PhD
 jjohnson@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2: Biological Sciences (CMU)
The Johnson lab studies the physiology, biophysics, structure, pharmacology, and regulation of glutamate receptors
Ken Jordan, PhD
 jordan@pitt.edu
Program 1: Chemistry
Program 2:
The Jordan group uses computational methods to elucidate fundamental processes in Chemistry.
Pawel Kalinski, MD, PhD
 kalinskip@upmc.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
Cancer vaccines; Regulation of T cell effector functions and homing (signal 3 and signal 4); Interactions of DC with NK & CD8+ T cells; Chemokines
Karl Kandler, PhD
 kkarl@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2:
Plasticity of neuronal circuits during development and in pathology, focusing on the central auditory system
Lawrence Kane, PhD
 lkane@pitt.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2: Molecular Pharmacology
1. Signal Transduction. 2.The role of the Akt kinase in NF-kB and T cell activation. 3. Role of TIM proteins in T cell activation.
Daniel Kaplan, MD, PhD
 dankaplan@pitt.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
To understand how skin resident immune cells (e.g. dendritic cells, T cells) interact with specific pathogens.
Erin Kershaw, MD
 kershawee@upmc.edu
Program 1: Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology
Program 2:
The role of intracellular lipid metabolism and adipose tissue biology in normal metabolism and disease using basic and translational approaches
Saleem Khan, PhD
 khan@pitt.edu
Program 1: Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology
Program 2: Microbiology and Immunology
Role of microRNAs in human papillomavirus-associated cancers & in aging
Kang Kim, PhD
 kangkim@pitt.edu
Program 1: Bioengineering
Program 2:
Develop & translate state of the art noninvasive imaging technologies to improve disease diagnosis, guide therapy, and evaluate therapeutic efficacy
Carl Kingsford, PhD
 carlk@cs.cmu.edu
Program 1: Computational Biology
Program 2: Biological Sciences (CMU)
We develop optimization algorithms for the analysis of genomic sequences andbiological networks
Thomas Kleyman, MD
 kleyman@pitt.edu
Program 1: Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology
Program 2:
Cellular, structural and molecular studies of epithelial ion channels
Richard Koerber, PhD
 rkoerber@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2:
Development, plasticity and pain processing in sensory neurons and in the spinal dorsal horn.
Sandra Kuhlman, PhD
 skuhlman@cmu.edu
Program 1: Biological Sciences (CMU)
Program 2:
The goal of my research program is to understand how neural networks in the cortex are altered during new skill acquisition to promote appropriate behavioral responses and to understand how the circuitry for learning is established during development.
Bernhard Kuhn, MD
 bernhard.kuhn2@chp.edu
Program 1: Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology
Program 2:
Our research is on whether and to what extent mammalian hearts can regenerate themselves, and to develop regenerative therapies for heart failure.
Prashant Kumta, PhD
 pkumta@pitt.edu
Program 1: Bioengineering
Program 2:
Nanostructured Metallic, ceramic & polymeric biomaterials (nanoparticles, bulk and thin film); additive manufacturing; stem cell; tissue engineering
Eric Lagasse, PharmD, PhD
 lagasse@pitt.edu
Program 1: Cellular and Molecular Pathology
Program 2: Clinical and Translational Science
Our research is focused primarily on stem cell biology and cell-based therapy for a variety of diseases including cancer and organ failure.
Seema Lakdawala, PhD
 lakdawala@pitt.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
Our lab studies the molecular properties contributing to the epidemiological success of influenza A viruses to better predict future pandemics
Fadi Lakkis, MD
 lakkisf@upmc.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
Innate and adaptive immune response to transplanted organs and the mechanisms of transplantation tolerance.
Philip LeDuc, PhD
 prl@andrew.cmu.edu
Program 1: Biomedical Engineering (CMU)
Program 2: Biological Sciences (CMU)
Linking mechanics to biochemistry through exploring the science of molecular to cellular biomechanics through nano- & micro-technology & comp biology
Adrian Lee, PhD
 leeav@upmc.edu
Program 1: Molecular Pharmacology
Program 2: Human Genetics
Molecular profiling (genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic) of women’s cancers, mouse modeling, and predictive biomarkers for targeted therapy
Janet Lee, MD
 leejs3@upmc.edu
Program 1: Clinical and Translational Science
Program 2:
Host susceptibility to lung injury and the factors that promote persistence of inflammation
David Lewis, MD
 lewisda@upmc.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2: Neural Computation (CMU)
Functional architecture of the prefrontal cortex and schizophrenia.
Philana Lin, MD, MSC
 pll7@pitt.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
Our lab is focused on the host protective immune responses to M. tuberculosis, a major factor in outcome of infection.
Steven Little, PhD
 srlittle@pitt.edu
Program 1: Bioengineering
Program 2:
Drug Delivery, Biomimetics, Immunotherapeutics, Tissue Engineering, Biomaterials, Synthetic Systems
Cecilia Lo, PhD
 el36@pitt.edu
Program 1: Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology
Program 2:
Our research objectives are focused on elucidating the genetic causes and developmental mechanisms of human congenital heart disease (CHD).
Binfeng Lu, PhD
 binfeng@pitt.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
Discovery of novel molecular and cellular pathways regulating key steps of T cell-mediated immune responses in antitumor immunity and autoimmunity
Xinghua Lu, MD, PhD, MS
 xinghua@pitt.edu
Program 1: Biomedical Informatics
Program 2:
computational methods facilitating personalized precision medicine for cancers
Peter Lucas, MD, PhD
 lucaspc@upmc.edu
Program 1: Cellular and Molecular Pathology
Program 2:
The relationship between chronic inflammation and the development of vascular, metabolic, and neoplastic diseases
Beatriz Luna, PhD
 lunab@upmc.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2: Neural Computation (CMU)
Brain basis of cognitive maturation through adolescence to adulthood.
Rama Mallampalli, MD
 mallampallirk@upmc.edu
Program 1: Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology
Program 2: Bioengineering
Pulmonary molecular & cell biology as it relates to acute lung injury (ALI) & the mechanisms of sepsis
Wendy Mars, PhD
 wmars@pitt.edu
Program 1: Cellular and Molecular Pathology
Program 2:
Understanding how cytokines and proteases controlling normal liver growth become deviant, leading to the development of cirrhosis and liver cancer
Bruce McClane, PhD
 bamcc@pitt.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
human and animal pathogen Clostridium perfringens
Colleen McClung, PhD
 mcclungca@upmc.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2:
We are interested in the molecular mechanisms of psychiatric disorders with a particular focus on the role of the circadian clock in these disorders
Stephen Meriney, PhD
 meriney@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2: Neural Computation (CMU)
Dr. Meriney's research program focuses on mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in the neuromuscular system in both normal and disease conditions.
Diana Metes, MD
 metesdm@upmc.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
Human immunology: Innate and adaptive immune responses to latent viruses and to allo-antigens after organ transplantation
Aaron Mitchell, PhD
 apm1@andrew.cmu.edu
Program 1: Biological Sciences (CMU)
Program 2:
Our studies focus on Candida albicans, a leading fungal pathogen that can cause both mucosal and invasive infections.
Tom Mitchell, PhD
 Tom.Mitchell@cmu.edu
Program 1:
Program 2:
We focus on research and education in all areas of statistical machine learning
Satdarshan Monga, MD
 smonga@pitt.edu
Program 1: Cellular and Molecular Pathology
Program 2:
Aimed at elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms of liver pathophysiology
Patrick Moore, MD
 psm9@pitt.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2: Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology
The study of human tumor viruses
Penelope Morel, MD
 morel@pitt.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
Autoimmunity & the control of T cell immune responses; Systems biology approaches to immune response to infectious organisms
Michael Morowitz, MD
 michael.morowitz@chp.edu
Program 1: Human Genetics
Program 2:
Pathogenicity of Intestinal Microbes in Milk Fed and Formula Fed Premature Infants - See more at: http://www.chp.edu/find-a-doctor/service-providers/michael-morowitz-143687#sthash.jOu6Y9fO.dpuf
Alison Morris, MD
 morrisa@upmc.edu
Program 1:
Program 2:
HIV-associated lung disease; HIV-associated emphysema; Role of Pneumocystis in COPD
Kari Nejak-Bowen, MBA, PhD
 knnst5@pitt.edu
Program 1: Cellular and Molecular Pathology
Program 2:
To understand the cellular and molecular basis of liver injury, regeneration, and cholestatic liver disease
Anne Newman, MD, MPH
 newmana@edc.pitt.edu
Program 1: Epidemiology
Program 2:
Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology;Subclinical atherosclerosis: Associations with aging, disability & frailty;Sarcopenia & disability
Vishwajit Nimgaonkar, MD, PhD
 VishwajitNL@upmc.edu
Program 1: Human Genetics
Program 2:
Genetics of schizophrenia/bipolar disorder;functional genomics using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) based models;gene/environment interactions
Enrico Novelli, MD, MS
 noveex@upmc.edu
Program 1: Molecular Pharmacology
Program 2:
the mechanisms of vascular dysfunction in sickle cell disease. With interest in the vascular pathology that underlies cognitive dysfunction. Also novel imaging biomarkers and diagnostic imaging strategies in sickle cell disease.
Steffi Oesterreich, PhD
 oesterreichs@upmc.edu
Program 1: Molecular Pharmacology
Program 2:
Hormone response and treatment resistance in breast and ovarian cancer, including the analysis of aberrant genetic and epigenetic changes
Trevor Orchard, MBBCh, MMedSci
 tjo@pitt.edu
Program 1: Epidemiology
Program 2:
The epidemiology of diabetes complications and cardiovascular disease.
Kyle Orwig, PhD
 keo6@pitt.edu
Program 1: Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology
Program 2:
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and male germ lineage development
Tim Oury, MD, PhD
 tdoury@pitt.edu
Program 1: Cellular and Molecular Pathology
Program 2:
Oxidative mechanisms of pulmonary fibrosis, acute lung injury, inflammation, and pneumonia. The laboratory also studies the role of RAGE in the lung
John Pacella, MD, MS
 pacellajj@upmc.edu
Program 1: Bioengineeering
Program 2:
Developing strategies to improve myocardial microvascular perfusion. Involving in vitro and in vivo models, and spans multiple disciplines: acoustic physics, polymer chemistry, physiology, cardiology, vascular biology, and advanced cardiac imaging.
Quasar Padiath, MDBS, PhD
 qpadiath@pitt.edu
Program 1: Human Genetics
Program 2:
molecular mechanisms underlying various neurological disorders using human genetic approaches as well as research on animal and cell culture models
Patrick Pagano, PhD
 pagano@pitt.edu
Program 1: Molecular Pharmacology
Program 2:
NADPH oxidase (Nox) & reactive oxygen species in signaling, vascular dysfunction and cardiopulmonary disease; Nox drug therapy development
Michael Palladino, PhD
 mjp44@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2: Molecular Pharmacology
We use Drosophila, mice and human cell lines to elucidate pathogenesis and develop new therapies for mitochondria and neurodegenerative diseases.
Mary Phillips, MD
 phillipsml@upmc.edu
Program 1: Clinical and Translational Science
Program 2: Neural Computation (CMU)
Identification of neural correlates that underlie the symptoms of specific abnormalities in emotion processing in people with mood disorders
Todd Przybycien, PhD
 todd@andrew.cmu.edu
Program 1: Biomedical Engineering (CMU)
Program 2:
Applied biophysics: protein structural, adsorption and aggregation behavior during bioprocessing and delivery. Biosensing: pressure ulcer detection.
Linda Rinaman, PhD
 rinaman@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2:
Neural circuits for stress responses and emotionality: organization and interactions with diet and body energy balance
James Roberts, MD
 jroberts@mwri.magee.edu
Program 1: Epidemiology
Program 2: Clinical and Translational Science
Our current work addresses preeclampsia and it pathophysiology in high and low resource se
Rena Robinson, PhD
 rena@pitt.edu
Program 1: Chemistry
Program 2:
Aging, Bioanalytical Chemistry, Ion Mobility Spectrometry, Mass Spectrometry, Proteomics
Caterina Rosano, MD, MPH
 rosanoc@edc.pitt.edu
Program 1: Epidemiology
Program 2:
Brain adaptation, neuroepidemiological approaches to the causes, biomarkers and consequences of brain aging, advanced data reduction analyses
Sarah Ross, PhD
 saross@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2:
Understanding the functional organization of spinal microcircuits using molecular genetic, electrophysiological, optogenetic & behavioral approaches
Maria Rubio, MD, PhD
 mer@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2:
Research focuses on investigating neuron-glia communication in the normal hearing and in the hearing impaired
Warren Ruder, PhD, MS
 warrenr@pitt.edu
Program 1: Bioengineering
Program 2:
Our mission includes both understanding the fundamental biology of natural bioprocessing systems as well as re-engineering these systems with synthetic control circuits.
Yoel Sadovsky, MD
 ysadovsky@mwri.magee.edu
Program 1: Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology
Program 2:
Our lab focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying placental development and its function in supporting fetal growth and maternal-fetal communication
Andrew Schwartz, PhD
 abs21@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2: Bioengineering
Cerebral basis for volitional movement and cortical neural prosthetics.
Russell Schwartz, PhD
 russells@andrew.cmu.edu
Program 1: Biological Sciences (CMU)
Program 2: Computational Biology
I work in the general area of computational biology, with emphasis on computational genetics and the modeling and simulation of biological systems
Melanie Scott, MD, PhD
 scotmx@UPMC.EDU
Program 1: Cellular and Molecular Pathology
Program 2:
Innate immune responses to sterile injury and infection with a focus on inflammasome activation and immune activation by endogenous danger signals
Rebecca Seal, PhD
 rpseal@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2:
The Seal laboratory is interested in elucidating the circuitry that drives behavior normally and in disease.
Ervin Sejdic, PhD
 esejdic@pitt.edu
Program 1: Bioengineering
Program 2: Biomedical Informatics
Advanced information systems in medicine; Anticipatory medical devices; Assistive technologies; Biomedical Signal Processing; Gait analysis
Susan Sesack, PhD
 sesack@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2:
Dr. Sesack’s research focuses on the monoamine and cortical systems that regulate cognitive and emotional behaviors.
Steven Shapiro, MD
 shapirosd@upmc.edu
Program 1: Cellular and Molecular Pathology
Program 2:
Understanding the biological functions of matrix degrading proteinases in health and disease.
Mark Shlomchik, MD, PhD
 MSHLOMCH@pitt.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
My lab is interested in the establishment of long term B cell immunity and in pathogenesis of systemic autoimmune diseases and graft vs host disease
Jason Shoemaker, PhD
 jason.shoemaker@pitt.edu Our group aims to develop computational approaches to exploit large-scale data to promote disease treatment discovery and optimization.
Sanjeev Shroff, PhD
 sshroff@pitt.edu
Program 1: Bioengineering
Program 2:
Cardiac structure-function: contractile/regulatory proteins, post-translational regulation, dyssynchrony
Matthew Smith, PhD
 smithma@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2: Bioengineering
Neurophysiology of visual perception and cognition, computational neuroscience, cortical circuitry, neural population coding
Tom Smithgall, PhD
 tsmithga@pitt.edu
Program 1: Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology
Program 2: Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology
Non-receptor protein-tyrosine kinase structure, regulation and signal transduction in cancer, AIDS, and embryonic stem cell biology
Alexander Sorkin, PhD
 sorkin@pitt.edu
Program 1: Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology
Program 2: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Mechanisms and functional role of endocytic trafficking of EGF receptor in cancer cells and the dopamine transporter in the brain
Gwendolyn Sowa, MD, PhD
 sowaga@upmc.edu
Program 1: Bioengineering
Program 2:
Biomarker discovery, beneficial effects of mechanical loading, & implementation in targeted exercise therapies for musculoskeletal conditions
Richard Steinman, MD, PhD
 steinman@pitt.edu
Program 1: Molecular Pharmacology
Program 2: Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology
Mechanisms of white blood cell differentiation & its inhibition in leukemias; Mechanisms of stem cell differentiation & growth control
Sean Stocker, PhD
 stockers@pitt.edu Our laboratory investigates how the central nervous system contributes to cardiovascular disease including obesity-induced and salt-sensitive hypertension.
Donna Stolz, PhD
 dstolz@pitt.edu
Program 1: Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology
Program 2:
Angiogenesis and vascularization events in liver regeneration and remodeling
Walter Storkus, PhD
 storkuswj@upmc.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2: Bioengineering
The immunobiology and immunotherapy of melanoma and renal cell carcinoma
Adam Straub, PhD
 astraub@pitt.edu
Program 1: Molecular Pharmacology
Program 2:
The Straub laboratory investigates redox cell signaling mechanisms that control endothelial and smooth muscle biology in the microcirculation.
Peter Strick, PhD
 strickp@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2: Neural Computation (CMU)
1) the control of voluntary movement by the cerebral cortex, 2) the functional organization of the basal ganglia and cerebellum, and 3) unraveling the circuitry of the central nervous system.
Arohan Subramanya, MD
 ars129@pitt.edu
Program 1: Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology
Program 2:
We study cell signaling networks that coordinate kidney tubule salt transport, blood pressure, and potassium homeostasis
Dandan Sun, MD, PhD
 dds30@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2:
Understanding the role of ion transporter proteins (sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporter, sodium/proton exchanger, and sodium/calcium exchangers) in ionic dysregulation and neurodegeneration associated with stroke and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.
Alan Sved, PhD
 sved@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2:
Central neural control of the autonomic nervous system and cardiovascular function; neurobiology of nicotine pharmacology.
Robert Sweet, MD
 sweetra@upmc.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2:
Loss and altered plasticity of auditory cortex synapses in schizophrenia; mediators of vulnerability to psychosis in Alzheimer disease.
Galen Switzer, PhD
 switzerge@upmc.edu
Program 1: Clinical and Translational Science
Program 2:
Psychosocial issues in organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
Pei Tang, PhD
 ptang@pitt.edu
Program 1: Molecular Pharmacology
Program 2: Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology
Understanding the molecular mechanism(s) of action of general anesthetics.
Michael Tarr, PhD
 michael.tarr.pitt@gmail.com
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2: Psychology (CMU)
Human visual object, face and scene processing using behavioral psychophysics, graphics, neuroimaging (fMRI, MEG, DSI), and computational modeling.
Amantha Thathiah, PhD
 amantha@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2: Molecular Pharmacology
We use molecular, biochemical, and cellular approaches to study the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease.
Angus Thomson, PhD, DSc
 thomsonaw@upmc.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
Regulation of the immune response; role of dendritic cells and T cells in tolerance induction; mechanism of action of novel immune suppressants
Dennis Trumble, PhD
 dtrumble@andrew.cmu.edu
Program 1: Biomedical Engineering (CMU)
Program 2:
Computational cardiac mechanics; cardiac assist devices; muscle-powered implants; medical device design and optimization; tissue-device interfaces; the neural basis of cognition; science education
Michael Tsang, PhD
 tsang@pitt.edu
Program 1: Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology
Program 2:
Zebrafish Heart Development and Regeneration
George Tseng, ScD
 ctseng@pitt.edu
Program 1: Human Genetics
Program 2:
Interests in statistical and computational methods to combine information from multiple high-throughput omics data sets
Rocky Tuan, PhD
 rst13@pitt.edu
Program 1: Bioengineering
Program 2:
To apply the principles of cellular and molecular science and engineering to restore tissue and organ functions.
Robert Turner, PhD
 rturner@pitt.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2: Neural Computation (CMU)
Basal ganglia-cortical dysfunction in Parkinson's disease and therapeutic mechanisms of deep brain stimulation
Heth Turnquist, PhD
 turnquisthr@upmc.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
Understanding and controlling the cytokine networks that direct immune responses responsible for both protective and pathological immunity.
Thanos Tzounopoulos, PhD
 thanos@pitt.edu
Program 1: Molecular Pharmacology
Program 2: Neuroscience (CNUP)
We study synaptic mechanisms and their role during normal and pathological sensory processing (tinnitus).
Nathan Urban, PhD
 nurban@cmu.edu
Program 1: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Program 2: Neural Computation (CMU)
The physiological mechanisms underlying the functional & computational properties of brain neuronal networks, focusing on the olfactory system
Zsolt Urban, PhD
 urbanz@pitt.edu
Program 1: Human Genetics
Program 2: Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology
Inherited disorders of elastic fibers, transforming growth factor-beta signaling, cellular and zebrafish models
Kenneth Urish, MD, PhD
 urishk2@upmc.edu
Program 1: Bioengineering
Program 2:
The focus of the Urish laboratory is on understanding implant biofilm dynamics during an infection and identifying new treatment strategies.
Patrick van der Wel, PhD
 pvdwel@pitt.edu
Program 1: Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology
Program 2:
Misfolding, aggregation and amyloid formation in disease; membrane protein structure and lipid interactions; solid-state NMR spectroscopy; biophysics
Bennett Van Houten, PhD
 vanhoutenb@upmc.edu
Program 1: Molecular Pharmacology
Program 2: Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology
1) Repair of DNA damage in nuclear and mitochondrial genomes; 2) Structure and function of nucleotide excision repair proteins.
Dario Vignali, PhD
 dvignali@pitt.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
The inhibitory mechanisms, including inhibitory receptors & regulatory T cells, that limit anti-tumor immunity in cancer patients.
Flordeliza Villanueva, MD
 villanuevafs@upmc.edu
Program 1:
Program 2:
The development of medical diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that are based on ultrasound and ultrasound contrast agents (microbubbles).
Shyam Visweswaran, MD, PhD
 shv3@pitt.edu
Program 1: Biomedical Informatics
Program 2:
Computer-aided diagnosis and patient-specific prediction, genomic and precision medicine, clinical decision support, research data warehouse
David Vorp, PhD
 vorp@pitt.edu
Program 1: Bioengineering
Program 2: Cellular and Molecular Pathology
Vascular bioengineering in the context of vascular tissue engineering, aortic aneurysm, and regenerative medicine”
William Wagner, PhD
 wagnerwr@upmc.edu
Program 1: Bioengineering
Program 2:
Cardiovascular engineering with projects that address medical device biocompatibility and design, tissue engineering, and imaging.
David Waldeck, PhD
 dave@pitt.edu
Program 1: Chemistry
Program 2:
Fundamental understanding of electron transfer reactions, electron transport in supramolecular structures, and nanophotonics
Yadong Wang, PhD
 yaw20@pitt.edu
Program 1: Bioengineering
Program 2:
Creating biomaterials that present controlled chemical,physical & mechanical signals to cells in the cardiovascular,nervous & musculoskeletal systems
Yu-Li Wang, PhD
 yuliwang@andrew.cmu.edu
Program 1: Biomedical Engineering (CMU)
Program 2:
Mechanisms of cell division and migration; mechanics of cell-matrix interactions; mechanotransduction
Stephen Weber, PhD
 sweber@pitt.edu
Program 1: Chemistry
Program 2:
Bioanalysis, capillary separations, sampling from tissues and single cells.
Kurt Weiss, MD
 weiskr@upmc.edu Dr. Weiss directs a basic science laboratory dedicated to the study of sarcomas--cancerous tumors that arise in the musculoskeletal tissues.
Ora Weisz, PhD
 weisz@pitt.edu
Program 1: Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology
Program 2:
Regulation of protein traffic in polarized epithelial cells.
Alan Wells, MD
 wellsa@upmc.edu
Program 1: Cellular and Molecular Pathology
Program 2:
Integrative biology of wound healing and tumor metastasis, from molecules and cells through tissues and animals to humans
Sally Wenzel, MD
 wenzelse@upmc.edu
Program 1: Cellular and Molecular Pathology
Program 2:
Focuses on asthma phenotypes and the molecular mechanisms, particularly in the airway epithelium that control them
Clayton Wiley, MD, PhD
 wiley1@pitt.edu
Program 1: Cellular and Molecular Pathology
Program 2: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Pathogenesis of Neuroinflammation, Neurodegeneration and Neurovirology
John Williams, MD
 jvw@pitt.edu
Program 1: Microbiology and Immunology
Program 2:
the cell entry, immunity, and pathogenesis of human metapneumovirus (HMPV).
Xiangqun(Sean) Xie, MD, PhD, MBA
 xix15@pitt.edu
Program 1: Computational Biology
Program 2:
disease domain-specific system chemogenomics knowledgebase and personalized medicine
Eric Xing, PhD, PhD
 epxing@cs.cmu.edu
Program 1: Computational Biology
Program 2:
development of machine learning and statistical methodology, & large-scalecomputational system and architecture, for solving problems within systems
Yan Xu, PhD
 xu2@pitt.edu
Program 1: Molecular Pharmacology
Program 2: Neuroscience (CNUP)
Designed receptors as therapeutic targets for pain; mechanisms of low-affinity drug action; mapping of unconscious brain;stem cell therapy for stroke
Byron Yu, PhD
 byronyu@cmu.edu
Program 1: Biomedical Engineering (CMU)
Program 2: Neural Computation (CMU)
Neural signal processing; machine learning approaches in neuroscience; neural prosthetic systems
Jian Yu, PhD
 YuJ2@upmc.edu
Program 1: Cellular and Molecular Pathology
Program 2:
To understand the roles and regulation of cell death in normal & cancerous tissues, & mechanism-based development of cell death-targeted therapeutics
Jian Min Yuan, MD, PhD
 yuanj@upmc.edu
Program 1: Epidemiology
Program 2:
Environmental exposure and gene-environmental interaction in the etiology of cancer, Biomarkers in relation to the development of cancer and risk prediction of cancer, Chemopreventive effect of dietary agents for primary prevention of cancer
Lin Zhang, PhD
 zhanglx@upmc.edu
Program 1: Molecular Pharmacology
Program 2:
Genetic basis of differential sensitivity to anticancer drugs; genetic alterations that cause drug resistance; mechanisms of drug-induced apoptosis