On Tuesday, two faculty from the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Medicine were honored at the Heersink School of Medicine Endowed Chairs and Professorships reception. Professor Gang Liu, M.D., Ph.D., received the Moon H. Nahm Endowed Chair, while Associate Professor Mike Wells, M.D., MPH, was awarded the Endowed Professorship in Airway Biology.
School leaders recognized the honorees and thanked the donors who generously contributed to the endowed positions. Following the ceremony, honorees celebrated with their families and colleagues over refreshments and group photos. Congratulations to all honorees on this well-deserved recognition!
Drs. Gang Liu (left) and James Michael Wells (right) celebrate their endowments with DOM Interim Chair Dr. Mark Dransfield (center).
Good News for November 1, 2024
DOM Celebrates 2024 Teaching Excellence Awardees
On Wednesday, the Department of Medicine hosted its 2024 Teaching Excellence Award ceremony, celebrating faculty who received high rankings from medical students, residents, and colleagues. Over 60 faculty were honored.
Payne Study Featured on Cover of AHA ATVB November Issue
In a study, Greg Payne, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor in the Division of CVD, and colleagues used spatial transcriptomics to characterize coronary atherosclerosis with novel technology. Researchers were able to measure changes linked to atherosclerotic plaques and identify cell populations that may predispose individuals to myocardial infarction.
Metformin Impact on Immune Response in Patients Who Inject Drugs
Associate Professors James Kobie, Ph.D., and Ellen Eaton, M.D., MPH, in the Division of Infectious Diseases, received an R01 grant to study the effectiveness of metformin, a common diabetes drug, in restoring immune balance in individuals who inject drugs.
Iptacopan Inhibition in IgA Nephropathy
Dana Rizk, M.D., a professor in the Division of Nephrology, reported in the NEJM that using iptacopan to treat patients with IgA nephropathy—a frequent cause of kidney failure — led to a significant reduction in proteinuria compared to the placebo group.
👻 And the Winner Is . . .
Congrats to Tawanda Williams, the first-place winner of the ID STI Research Program's Spooktacular Door Decorating Contest! Williams received a trophy for her "GLIDR Graveyard," surpassing 17 other decorators. Kudos to all participants for their spooky doors and great camaraderie!