American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Research Pathway

Welcome from the Director

Dear applicant,

Welcome to our website and thank you for your interest in the Research Pathway of our Internal Medicine Residency Program. At UPMC, we are committed to training the next generation of high impact Physician-Scientists and leaders in academic medicine. Our program offers the rare combination of excellent clinical training in one of the largest healthcare systems in the nation, unparalleled research infrastructure and resources in one of the top NIH-funded institutions, and all that in one of the most livable cities in America. If you are passionate to make those discoveries that will change the practice of medicine, then UPMC is the right place for you. We encourage you to look at the inspiring success stories of our graduates and we welcome your application to our program.

Sincerely,
George Kitsios, MD, PhD

My Research Interests

My translational research starts with burning clinical questions at the bedside in the intensive care unit (ICU), brought on to the laboratory bench and my computer screen, and then back on the way to bedside.

  • First, how can we accurately diagnose infections in the ICU to guide our antibiotics? Current diagnostic methods based on cultures have major deficiencies in sensitivity and timeliness. We have to disrupt this paradigm to offer personalized care for our patients and address the antibiotic resistance crisis. My research focuses on the development of rapid, next-generation sequencing-based diagnostics for pneumonia and sepsis in the ICU to overcome the limitations of cultures.
  • Second, how can we identify which patients will respond favorably to an intervention in the ICU? My work further examines the ability to define ARDS subphenotypes from lung microbiome profiles and host innate immune response to explain the clinical heterogeneity of the syndrome and allow for better targeting of interventions.
  • Last, can we do something to alter our patients’ microbial communities and help accelerate the recovery from critical illness? I am therefore exploring the impact of the gut microbiome in the ICU and the use of microbial replacement therapies with fecal transplant for the eradication of multidrug-resistant organisms in critically-ill patients.

What is the ABIM Pathway at UPMC?

  • Established by the ABIM in 1997 with the recognition of the importance in training general and subspecialty internists as research scientists.
  • It is intended for residents who seek academic careers in basic, translational or clinical research.
  • Residents accepted into this pathway will complete two years of clinical training in the Internal Medicine Residency Training Program, forgoing the third year of residency to begin their desired field of research.
  • A fellowship position in the areas of interest is guaranteed upon successful completion of the two years of internal medicine training.
  • Depending on the fellowship program, one to two years of clinical subspecialty fellowship training in addition to the three years of research will need to be completed.

Why choose UPMC?

World Class Institution
  • UPMC is one of the largest integrated healthcare systems in the nation and the largest employer in Pennsylvania, with 92,000 staff members, 40 hospitals and more than 800 outpatient sites.
  • Large catchment area spanning the entire western Pennsylvania and surrounding states, with diverse patient populations and pathology exposure during clinical training.
  • Train from and work next to national clinical leaders in their respective fields.
  • Unparalleled opportunities for clinical and translational research given the clinical volumes and patient referrals from across dozens of hospitals within or outside the UPMC network.
  • Working in close collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, UPMC shares its clinical, managerial and technological skills worldwide through its innovation and commercialization arm, UPMC Enterprises, and through UPMC International.
  • U.S. News consistently ranks UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside among the nation’s best hospitals in many specialties and ranks UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh on its Honor Roll of Best Children’s Hospitals.

 

Funding and Resources
  • The UPMC Department of Medicine is ranked in the top 10 nationally among other Departments of Internal Medicine.
  • The University of Pittsburgh is 5th in the nation in NIH research funding with total of $490,158,928 toward 993 awards in 2021.
  • All 10 subspecialties in the Department of Medicine have actively funded T32 grants for fellowship training with additional T grants also available (T32 = 12, T35 = 2, TL1 = 1).
  • Additional research stipend provided by the Department of Medicine during the ABIM required research time during fellowship training.
  • The Burroughs-Wellcome Physician Scientist Incubator Program, a unique in design and resources program to facilitate the career growth and research success of Physician-Scientists in training. This program is available to MD only (not MD/PhD) residents and fellows.

     

    Flexibility and Inclusion
    • Participation in the fellowship subspecialty research retreats (typically 2-3 days long) from the second year of residency, to facilitate networking and research career planning within the subspecialty of choice for each candidate.
    • Engagement with the fellowship programs (Email lists, event participation etc.) to ensure early planning and smooth transition to the desired subspecialty training.
    • Participation in the year-long curriculum “Academic Medicine Survival Skills” offered to fellows in Department of Medicine subspecialties.
    • Regular formal and informal mentoring sessions with the Research Pathway Director and peers.

     

    Mentorship and Success
    • The UPMC Department of Medicine has >45 faculty on career development awards (NIH K or equivalent): https://dom.pitt.edu/karat/members/
    • Intimate guidance by K and R awarded faculty is facilitated in order to prepare you for a career in academic medicine.
    • The K Awardee to R Advancement Training (KARAT) Program: a new Department of Medicine initiative for NIH mentored K-awardees or other equivalent mentored Career Development Awardees (CDA). https://dom.pitt.edu/karat/

    What would my training schedule look like?

    Clinical training during the first two years of internal medicine residency is protected, with no research productivity expectations, to ensure clinical excellence and growth as a physician-scientist.

     

    ABIM RESEARCH PATHWAY
     
    PGY1

    5-6 Months of Inpatient Floors

    • 3-4 Months General Medicine
    • 1 Month Cardiology
    • 1 Month Hematology/Oncology
    1 Month Medical ICU
    1 Month CCU
    1 Month Ambulatory Block
    2-3 Months Electives
    2 Weeks Night Float
    Continuity clinic 1 full day per week every other month (elective month)
     
    PGY2

    4 Months of Inpatient Floors

    • 2 Months General Medicine
    • 1 Month Cardiology
    • 1 Month Hematology/Oncology
    1-2 Months ICU (Medical ICU or CCU)
    2 Months Ambulatory Blocks
    2-3 Months Electives
    1 Month Outpatient Geriatrics
    2 Weeks Night Float/2 Weeks VA Emergent Care Center
    Continuity clinic 1 full day per week every other month (elective month)
     
    Three Years of Mentored Research

    At least 3 years of research training at 80% commitment is required.

    During internal medicine research training, 20% of each year must be spent in clinical experiences, including ½ day per week in a continuity clinic.

    The research experience of trainees should be mentored and reviewed; training should include completion of work leading to a graduate degree (if not already acquired) or its equivalent.

    The last year of research training may be undertaken in a full-time faculty position if the level of commitment to mentored research is maintained at 80%.
     
    12-24 Months of Additional Clinical Fellowship Training (if Subspecializing)

    12 Months

    Allergy/Immunology; Critical Care Medicine; Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism; Geriatrics; Hematology; Infectious Diseases; Nephrology; Oncology; Pulmonary Medicine; Rheumatology; Women’s Health

    18 Months

    Gastroenterology, Hematology/Oncology, Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Rheumatology/Allergy/Immunology

    24 Months

    Cardiology

    Georgios Kitsios, MD, PhD

    Director, ABIM Track

    “One of the great aspects of fast-tracking at UPMC is that fellows, especially those in the fast-track program, are encouraged to find research mentors in any department to help them pursue their future goals. I have discussed research opportunities in my chosen field of Rheumatology, but also in Pulmonology, Oncology, and the department of Immunology. In the end I will likely work in a collaborative environment with 1-2 mentors as UPMC in an extremely open and sharing community.”

    Jeremy Tilstra, MD, PhD

    ABIM Research Pathway

    Current Trainees

    Nick Huang, MD, PhD

    PGY 1

    Yen-Nan Lin, MD, PhD

    PGY 1

    Randolph Lyde, MD, PhD

    PGY 1

    Mary Rossillo, MD, PhD

    PGY 1

    Sarbajeet Nagdas, MD, PhD

    PGY 2

    Chang Kyung (Joanna) Kim, MD, PhD

    PGY 2

    Balvindar Singh, MD, PhD

    PGY 2

    Jameson (Jamie) Patak, MD, PhD

    PGY 2

    Selected ABIM Profiles

    Cary Boyd, MD, PhD
    Cary Boyd MD, PhD

    Cary Boyd MD, PhD

    Experience:

    The research pathway gave me a jump start on my career as a physician-scientist. I was able to condense my clinical training in internal medicine and nephrology, allowing me to have more time in the laboratory to focus on my research.  It was an ideal combination of clinical and research opportunities.

    Area of Research: 

    My current project focuses on a unique kinase found only in the distal nephron called Kidney-Specific With-No-Lysine (KS-WNK) kinase. I am interested in dietary potassium deficiency, it’s role in hypertension and chronic kidney disease, and how these diseases correlate with the formation of KS-WNK1-dependent aggregates, referred to as “WNK bodies”. The WNK kinases are intriguing because of their unique ability to “phase-transition” into discrete foci in response to changes in serum potassium. Despite the wealth of information about these kinases, it has only been in the last few years that research has begun to clarify the complex role of WNKs in the kidneys.

    Current Institution: University of Pittsburgh

    Current Grant Funding: K08

    Winn Cashion, MD

    Experience:

    The research pathway is a tremendous opportunity to launch an independent research career, which still achieving an excellent foundation in clinical medicine.

    Area of Research:

    Exploring Veterans Affairs kidney transplant epidemiology and outcomes [including the dual-use group that receives transplant-related care both within and outside the VA] 

    Current Institution: University of Pittsburgh

    Current Grant Funding: T32

    John Evankovich, MD

    Experience:

    In my experience, the research pathway allows for an individualized approach to both clinical and research training to minimize barriers to starting a career in academic medicine.  

    Area of Research:

    I am a basic and translational scientist focusing on molecular mechanisms contributing to acute lung injury and ARDS.  My work focuses on the stability of protein receptors that sense inflammation and Danger-Associated Molecular Pattern sensors (DAMP sensors) in lung epithelial cells and critically ill humans.  I hope to better understand how cells process DAMP sensors through the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and how this process affects the magnitude of the host’s pro-inflammatory response to injury. 

    I trained in the ABIM Research Pathway from 2012-2018.  I completed 24 months of internal medicine training from 2012-2014 and started pulmonary/critical care fellowship in 2014.  I completed the required clinical training (18 months) from 2014-2015, followed by a post-doctoral research fellowship from 2015-2018.  I joined the faculty in the division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine in January 2019.

    Current Institution: University of Pittsburgh

    Grant Funding: K08: 2019-2024, F32: 2017-2018, T32: 2016-2017

    Chaoyuan Kuang, MD

    Experience:

    Great mechanism for fast tracking us to research!  The first 2-3 years of training are tough but worth it to have the dedicated continuous research time afterwards.

    Area of Research:

    I have been devoting at least 80% of my effort to investigating epigenetics both as therapies and biomarkers in colorectal cancer.  I have been working under the mentorship of Drs. Lin Zhang, Tim Burns, and Edward Chu to develop my career in novel epigenetic therapies.  I have been working with a translational research mentoring team in Drs. James Lee, James Herman, Hassan Zarour, and Edward Chu in completing the biomarker analysis of the aforementioned clinical trial samples.  I have also recently embarked on a project investigating the mechanism of action of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents against colorectal cancer, and in particular if these may induce an immunogenic cell death and possibly synergize with established immunotherapies.  Thus, my work in fellowship has already spanned the most basic techniques of cancer biology all the way to participation in clinical trial analysis itself.

    Current Institution: University of Pittsburgh

    Current Grant Funding: T32

    Kevin Quann, MD

    Experience:

    The UPMC ABIM research pathway is an excellent opportunity for physician scientists. It combines world-class clinical training in internal medicine and medicine subspecialties with top-tier basic- and translational-research in an environment with plenty of institutional and faculty support.

    Area of Research:  Oncology, but still in clinical training.

    Current Institution: University of Pittsburgh

    Current Grant Funding: Still in clinical training.

    Ashwin Somasunduram, MD, PhD

    Experience

    The research pathway is an invaluable part in the training of a Physician-Scientist. The mentorship, dedicated time, and resources from the program ensure the trainee’s success. 

    Area of Research

    Tumor Immunology, Thoracic Oncology, and Early Phase trial development.

    Current Institution: University of Pittsburgh

    Current Grant Funding: T32, Eden Hall Foundation CIIP Award, IASLC Young Investigator Award, Fund for Innovation in Cancer Informatics Award

    Jeremy Tilstra, MD

    Experience:

    The research pathway gave me the opportunity to accelerate my career trajectory. The offered support in grant writing and mentorship that I believe resulted in me obtaining my K award and faculty position

    Area of Research:

    My research focus is to understanding basic signaling mechanisms leading to lupus nephritis. The need for further basic understanding of lupus nephritis is exemplified by the fact that only one new medication has been approved for lupus in the last 50 years and is not indicated for lupus nephritis. Therefore, my work focuses on two distinct pathways to better define this complex disease state. The first is to evaluate the MyD88 signaling pathways in murine lupus. I am assessing several upstream receptors using a reductionist approach and genetic manipulation to determine the roles of TL9, TLR7, and IL-1 signaling on lupus pathogenesis and lupus nephritis. In a secondary project, we are evaluating the interaction between the renal parenchyma and cellular infiltrates to better understand tissue specific effects of autoimmunity in the setting of lupus nephritis.

    Current Institution: University of Pittsburgh

    Current Grant Funding: K08, LRA novel research grant, PACER award

    Selected ABIM Pathway publications

    Rachel Gordon, MD, PhD

    Gordon RA, Giannouli C, Raparia C, Bastacky SI, Marinov A, Hawse W, Cattley R, Tilstra JS, Campbell AM, Nickerson KM, Davidson A, Shlomchik MJ. Rubicon promotes rather than restricts murine lupus and is not required for LC3-associated phagocytosis. JCI Insight. 2022 Apr 8;7(7):e155537. doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.155537. PMID: 35192551; PMCID: PMC9057630.

    Gordon RA, Tilstra JS, Marinov A, Nickerson KM, Bastacky SI, Shlomchik MJ. Murine lupus is neutrophil elastase-independent in the MRL.Faslpr model. PLoS One. 2020 Apr 3;15(4):e0226396. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226396. PMID: 32243431; PMCID: PMC7122749.

    Tilstra JS, John S, Gordon RA, Leibler C, Kashgarian M, Bastacky S, Nickerson KM, Shlomchik MJ. B cell-intrinsic TLR9 expression is protective in murine lupus. J Clin Invest. 2020 Jun 1;130(6):3172-3187. doi: 10.1172/JCI132328. PMID: 32191633; PMCID: PMC7260024.

    Lear TB, McKelvey AC, Evankovich JW, Rajbhandari S, Coon TA, Dunn SR, Londino JD, McVerry BJ, Zhang Y, Valenzi E, Burton CL, Gordon R, Gingras S, Lockwood KC, Jurczak MJ, Lafyatis R, Shlomchik MJ, Liu Y, Chen BB. KIAA0317 regulates pulmonary inflammation through SOCS2 degradation. JCI Insight. 2019 Oct 3;4(19):e129110. doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.129110. PMID: 31578312; PMCID: PMC6795399.

    Boeltz S, Amini P, Anders HJ, Andrade F, Bilyy R, Chatfield S, Cichon I, Clancy DM, Desai J, Dumych T, Dwivedi N, Gordon RA, Hahn J, Hidalgo A, Hoffmann MH, Kaplan MJ, Knight JS, Kolaczkowska E, Kubes P, Leppkes M, Manfredi AA, Martin SJ, Maueröder C, Maugeri N, Mitroulis I, Munoz LE, Nakazawa D, Neeli I, Nizet V, Pieterse E, Radic MZ, Reinwald C, Ritis K, Rovere-Querini P, Santocki M, Schauer C, Schett G, Shlomchik MJ, Simon HU, Skendros P, Stojkov D, Vandenabeele P, Berghe TV, van der Vlag J, Vitkov L, von Köckritz-Blickwede M, Yousefi S, Zarbock A, Herrmann M. To NET or not to NET:current opinions and state of the science regarding the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps. Cell Death Differ. 2019 Mar;26(3):395-408. doi: 10.1038/s41418-018-0261-x. Epub 2019 Jan 8. PMID: 30622307; PMCID: PMC6370810.

    Tilstra JS, Avery L, Menk AV, Gordon RA, Smita S, Kane LP, Chikina M, Delgoffe GM, Shlomchik MJ. Kidney-infiltrating T cells in murine lupus nephritis are metabolically and functionally exhausted. J Clin Invest. 2018 Nov 1;128(11):4884-4897. doi: 10.1172/JCI120859. Epub 2018 Sep 24. PMID: 30130253; PMCID: PMC6205402.

    Gordon RA, Herter JM, Rosetti F, Campbell AM, Nishi H, Kashgarian M, Bastacky SI, Marinov A, Nickerson KM, Mayadas TN, Shlomchik MJ. Lupus and proliferative nephritis are PAD4 independent in murine models. JCI Insight. 2017 May 18;2(10):e92926. doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.92926. PMID: 28515361; PMCID: PMC5436537.

    Emily Geramita, MD, PhD

    Wang LF, Eaglehouse YL, Poppenberg JT, Brufsky JW, Geramita EM, Zhai S, Davis KK, Gibbs BB, Metz J, van Londen GJ. Effects of a personal trainer-led exercise intervention on physical activity, physical function, and quality of life of breast cancer survivors. Breast Cancer. 2021 May;28(3):737-745. doi: 10.1007/s12282-020-01211-y. Epub 2021 Mar 10. PMID: 33689150; PMCID: PMC8386195.

    Spada NG, Geramita EM, Zamanian M, van Londen GJ, Sun Z, Sabik LM. Changes in Disparities in Stage of Breast Cancer Diagnosis in Pennsylvania After the Affordable Care Act. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2021 Mar;30(3):324-331. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2020.8478. Epub 2020 Sep 28. PMID: 32986501; PMCID: PMC7957377.

    Geramita EM, Parker IR, Brufsky JW, Diergaarde B, van Londen GJ. Primary Care Providers’ Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Practices Regarding Their Preparedness to Provide Cancer Survivorship Care. J Cancer Educ. 2020 Dec;35(6):1219-1226. doi: 10.1007/s13187-019-01585-4. PMID: 31388974; PMCID: PMC8266289.

    Geramita EM, DeVito Dabbs AJ, DiMartini AF, Pilewski JM, Switzer GE, Posluszny DM, Myaskovsky L, Dew MA. Impact of a Mobile Health Intervention on Long-term Nonadherence After Lung Transplantation: Follow-up After a Randomized Controlled Trial. Transplantation. 2020 Mar;104(3):640-651. doi: 10.1097/TP.0000000000002872. PMID: 31335759; PMCID: PMC7170004.

    Geramita EM, Herbeck Belnap B, Abebe KZ, Rothenberger SD, Rotondi AJ, Rollman BL. The Association Between Increased Levels of Patient Engagement With an Internet Support Group and Improved Mental Health Outcomes at 6-Month Follow-Up: Post-Hoc Analyses From a Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res. 2018 Jul 17;20(7):e10402. doi: 10.2196/10402. PMID: 30021711; PMCID: PMC6068384.

    Madison Stellfox, MD, PhD

    Stellfox ME, Van Tyne D. Last Bacteria Standing: VREfm Persistence in the Hospitalized Gut. mBio. 2022 Jun 28:e0067022. doi: 10.1128/mbio.00670-22. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35762592.

    Shields RK, Stellfox ME, Kline EG, Samanta P, Van Tyne D. Evolution of imipenem-relebactam resistance following treatment of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia. Clin Infect Dis. 2022 Feb 4:ciac097. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciac097. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35136967.

    Josiah Radder, MD, PhD

    Kliment CR, Nguyen JMK, Kaltreider MJ, Lu Y, Claypool SM, Radder JE, Sciurba FC, Zhang Y, Gregory AD, Iglesias PA, Sidhaye VK, Robinson DN. Adenine nucleotide translocase regulates airway epithelial metabolism, surface hydration and ciliary function. J Cell Sci. 2021 Feb 25;134(4):jcs257162. doi: 10.1242/jcs.257162. PMID: 33526710; PMCID: PMC7929926.

    Radder JE, Shapiro SD. Identifying Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Genes: Shining the Light on Dark DNA. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2019 Apr;60(4):373-374. doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2018-0349ED. PMID: 30376354; PMCID: PMC6444632.

    Radder JE, Shapiro SD. Reply to: Quantitative Histology Seriously Flawed by Lack of Lung Volume Measurement. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2018 Feb;58(2):274-275. doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2017-0394LE. PMID: 29388831; PMCID: PMC5806003.

    Kelly NJ, Dandachi N, Goncharov DA, Pena AZ, Radder JE, Gregory AD, Lai YC, Leme AS, Gladwin MT, Goncharova EA, St Croix CM, Shapiro SD. Automated Measurement of Blood Vessels in Tissues from Microscopy Images. Curr Protoc Cytom. 2016 Oct 10;78:12.44.1-12.44.13. doi: 10.1002/cpcy.10. PMID: 27723088; PMCID: PMC6431235.

    Weathington NM, Álvarez D, Sembrat J, Radder J, Cárdenes N, Noda K, Gong Q, Wong H, Kolls J, D’Cunha J, Mallampalli RK, Chen BB, Rojas M. Ex vivo lung perfusion as a human platform for preclinical small molecule testing. JCI Insight. 2018 Oct 4;3(19):e95515. doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.95515. PMID: 30282819; PMCID: PMC6237445.

    Weathington N, O’Brien ME, Radder J, Whisenant TC, Bleecker ER, Busse WW, Erzurum SC, Gaston B, Hastie AT, Jarjour NN, Meyers DA, Milosevic J, Moore WC, Tedrow JR, Trudeau JB, Wong HP, Wu W, Kaminski N, Wenzel SE, Modena BD. BAL Cell Gene Expression in Severe Asthma Reveals Mechanisms of Severe Disease and Influences of Medications. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2019 Oct 1;200(7):837-856. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201811-2221OC. PMID: 31161938; PMCID: PMC6812436.

    Dandachi N, Kelly NJ, Wood JP, Burton CL, Radder JE, Leme AS, Gregory AD, Shapiro SD. Macrophage Elastase Induces TRAIL-mediated Tumor Cell Death through Its Carboxy-Terminal Domain. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2017 Aug 1;196(3):353-363. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201606-1150OC. PMID: 28345958; PMCID: PMC5549863.

    Norris CA, He M, Kang LI, Ding MQ, Radder JE, Haynes MM, Yang Y, Paranjpe S, Bowen WC, Orr A, Michalopoulos GK, Stolz DB, Mars WM. Synthesis of IL-6 by hepatocytes is a normal response to common hepatic stimuli. PLoS One. 2014 Apr 24;9(4):e96053. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0096053. Erratum in: PLoS One. 2019 Oct 23;14(10):e0224498. PMID: 24763697; PMCID: PMC3999098.

    Radder JE, Gregory AD, Leme AS, Cho MH, Chu Y, Kelly NJ, Bakke P, Gulsvik A, Litonjua AA, Sparrow D, Beaty TH, Crapo JD, Silverman EK, Zhang Y, Berndt A, Shapiro SD. Variable Susceptibility to Cigarette Smoke-Induced Emphysema in 34 Inbred Strains of Mice Implicates Abi3bp in Emphysema Susceptibility. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2017 Sep;57(3):367-375. doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2016-0220OC. PMID: 28441029; PMCID: PMC5625220.

    Meng Q, Lai YC, Kelly NJ, Bueno M, Baust JJ, Bachman TN, Goncharov D, Vanderpool RR, Radder JE, Hu J, Goncharova E, Morris AM, Mora AL, Shapiro SD, Gladwin MT. Development of a Mouse Model of Metabolic Syndrome, Pulmonary Hypertension, and Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2017 Apr;56(4):497-505. doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2016-0177OC. PMID: 28118022; PMCID: PMC5449511.

    Radder JE, Zhang Y, Gregory AD, Yu S, Kelly NJ, Leader JK, Kaminski N, Sciurba FC, Shapiro SD. Extreme Trait Whole-Genome Sequencing Identifies PTPRO as a Novel Candidate Gene in Emphysema with Severe Airflow Obstruction. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2017 Jul 15;196(2):159-171. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201606-1147OC. PMID: 28199135; PMCID: PMC5519967.

    Berkelhamer SK, Kim GA, Radder JE, Wedgwood S, Czech L, Steinhorn RH, Schumacker PT. Developmental differences in hyperoxia-induced oxidative stress and cellular responses in the murine lung. Free Radic Biol Med. 2013 Aug;61:51-60. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2013.03.003. Epub 2013 Mar 14. PMID: 23499839; PMCID: PMC3723750.

    Radder JE, Shapiro SD, Berndt A. Personalized medicine for chronic, complex diseases: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as an example. Per Med. 2014 Sep;11(7):669-679. doi: 10.2217/pme.14.51. PMID: 29764057.

    Kelly NJ, Radder JE, Baust JJ, Burton CL, Lai YC, Potoka KC, Agostini BA, Wood JP, Bachman TN, Vanderpool RR, Dandachi N, Leme AS, Gregory AD, Morris A, Mora AL, Gladwin MT, Shapiro SD. Mouse Genome-Wide Association Study of Preclinical Group II Pulmonary Hypertension Identifies Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2017 Apr;56(4):488-496. doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2016-0176OC. PMID: 28085498; PMCID: PMC5449510.

    Anna Zemke

    Zemke, AC, Bomberger, JM. Microbiology: Social Suicide for a Good Cause. Curr Biol. 2016; 26(2): R80-2.

    Zemke, AC, Gladwin, MT, Bomberger, JM. Sodium nitrite blocks the activity of aminoglycosides against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2015; 59(6): 3329-34.

    Zemke, AC, Shiva, S, Burns, JL, Moskowitz, SM, Pilewski, JM, Gladwin, MT, Bomberger, JM. Nitrite modulates bacterial antibiotic susceptibility and biofilm formation in association with airway epithelial cells. Free Radic Biol Med. 2014; 77: 307-16.

    Zemke, AC, Snyder, JC, Brockway, BL, Drake, JA, Reynolds, SD, Kaminski, N, Stripp, BR. Molecular staging of epithelial maturation using secretory cell-specific genes as markers. Am J Respir Cell Mol Bio. 2009; 40(3): 340-8.

    Zemke, AC, Teisanu, RM, Giangreco, A, Brockway, BL, Reynolds, SD, Stripp, BR. Beta-Catenin is not necessary for maintenance or repair of the bronchiolar epithelium. Am J Respir Cell Mol Bio. 2009; 41(5): 535-43.

    Snyder, JC, Zemke, AC, Stripp, BR. Reparative capacity of airway epithelium impacts deposition and remodeling of extracellular matrix. Am J Respir Cell Mol Bio. 2009; 40(6): 633-42.

    Reynolds, SD, Zemke, AC, Giangreco, A, Brockway, BL, Teisanu, RM, Drake, JA, Mariani, T, Di, PY, Taketo MM, Stripp, BR. Conditional stabilization of beta-catenin expands the pool of lung stem cells. Stem Cells. 2008; 26(5): 1337-46.

    Cary Boyd

    Boyd-Shiwarski CR, Shiwarski DJ, Roy A, Namboodiri HN, Nkashama LJ, Xie J, McClain KL, Marciszyn A, Kleyman TR, Tan RJ, Stolz DB, Puthenveedu MA, Huang CL, Subramanya AR. Potassium-regulated distal tubule WNK bodies are kidney-specific WNK1 dependent. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 2018; 29: 499-509.

    Boyd-Shiwarski CR, Subramanya AR. The renal response to potassium stress: integrating past with present. Current Opinions in Nephrology and Hypertension. 2017; 26: 411-418.

    Ray EC, Rondon-Berrios H, Boyd CR, Kleyman TR. Sodium retention and volume expansion in nephrotic syndrome: implications for hypertension. Advances in Chronic Kidney Discovery. 2014; 22(3): 179-84.

    Kashlan OB, Boyd CR, Argyropoulos C, Okumura S, Hughey RP, Grabe M, Kleyman TR. Allosteric inhibition of the epithelial Na+ channel through peptide binding at peripheral finger and thumb domains. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2010; 285(45): 35216-123.

    Buck TM, Kolb AR, Boyd CR, Kleyman TR, Brodsky JL. The endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation of the epithelial sodium channel requires a unique complement of molecular chaperones. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 2010; 21(6): 1047-58.

    Maarouf AB, Sheng N, Chen J, Winarski KL, Okumura S, Carattino MD, Boyd CR, Kleyman TR, Sheng S. Novel determinants of epithelial sodium channel gating within extracellular thumb domains. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2009; 284(12): 7756-65.

    Náray-Fejes-Tóth A, Boyd C, Fejes-Tóth G. Regulation of epithelial sodium transport by promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein. American Journal Physiology Renal Physiology. 2008; 295(1): F18-26.

    Boyd C, Náray-Fejes-Tóth A. Steroid-mediated regulation of the epithelial sodium channel subunits in mammary epithelial cells. Endocrinology. 2007; 148(8): 3958-67.

    Boyd C, Náray-Fejes-Tóth A. Gene regulation of ENaC subunits by serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase-1. American Journal of Physiology Renal Physiology. 2005; 288(3): F505-12.

    Swiatecka-Urban A, Boyd C, Coutermarsh B, Karlson KH, Barnaby R, Aschenbrenner L, Aschenbrenner L, Langford GM, Hasson T, Stanton BA. Myosin VI regulates endocytosis of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2004; 279(36): 38025-31.

    Jeremy Tilstra

    Tilstra JS, Lienesch DW. Rheumatoid nodules. Dermatol Clin. 2015; 33: 361-371.

    Tilstra JS, Gaddy DF, Zhao J, Davé SH, Niedernhofer LJ, Plevy SE, Robbins PD. Pharmacologic IKK/NF-?B inhibition causes antigen presenting cells to undergo TNFa dependent ROS-mediated programmed cell death. Sci Rep. 2014; 4: 3631.

    Tilstra JS, Robinson AR, Robinson AR, Wang J, Gregg SQ, Clauson CL, Reay DP, Nasto LA, St Croix CM, Usas A, Vo N, Huard J, Clemens PR, Stolz DB, Guttridge DC, Watkins SC, Garinis GA, Wang Y, Nidernhofer LJ, Robbins PD. NF-?B inhibition delays DNA damage-induced senescence and aging in mice. J Clin Invest. 2012; 22: 2601-12.

    Tilstra JS, Clauson CL, Niedernhofer LJ, Robbins PD. NF-?B in Aging and Disease. Aging Dis. 2011; 2: 449-65.

    Nasto LA, Seo HY, Robinson AR, Tilstra JS, Clauson CL, Sowa GA, Ngo K, Dong Q, Pola E, Lee JY, Niedernhofer LJ, Kang JD, Robbins PD, Vo NV. ISSLS prize winner: inhibition of NF-?B activity ameliorates age-associated disc degeneration in a mouse model of accelerated aging. Spine (Phila PA 1976). 2012; 37: 1819-25.

    Lavasani M, Robinson AR, Lu A, Song M, Feduska JM, Ahani B, Tilstra JS, Feldman CH, Robbins PD, Niedernhofer LJ, Huard J. Muscle-derived stem/progenitor cell dysfunction limits healthspan and lifespan in a murine progeria model. Nat Commun. 2012; 3: 608.

    Lu A, Proto JD, Guo L, Tang Y, Lavasani M, Tilstra JS, Niedernhofer LJ, Wang B, Guttridge DC, Robbins PD, Huard J. NF-?B negatively impacts the myogenic potential of muscle-derived stem cells. Mol Ther. 2012; 3: 661-668.

    Robinson, A.R., Yousefzadeh, M.J., Rozgaja, T.A., Wang, J., Li, X., Tilstra, J.S., Feldman, C.H., Gregg, S.Q., Johnson, C.H., Skoda, E.M., Frantz, M.C., Bell-Temin, H., Pope-Varsalona, H., Gurkar, A.U., et al. Spontaneous DNA damage to the nuclear genome promotes senescence, redox imbalance and aging. Redox Biol. 2018; 17: 259-273.

    Matthew Camiolo

    Tasdemir N, Banito A, Roe JS, Camiolo MJ, et al. BRD4 Connects Enhancer Remodeling to Senescence Immune Surveillance. Cancer Discov. 2016;6(6):612-29.

    Premsrirut PK, Dow LE, Kim SY, Camiolo MJ, et al. A rapid and scalable system for studying gene function in mice using conditional RNA interference. Cell. 2011;145(1):145-58.

    Winn Cashion

    Cashion W, Mcclellan W, Howard G, et al. Geographic region and racial variations in polypharmacy in the United States. Ann Epidemiol. 2015;25(6):433-438.e1.

    Kancherla V, Garn JV, Zakai NA, Williamson RS, Cashion WT, Odewole O, Judd SE, Oakley GP. Multivitamin Use and Serum Vitamin B12 Concentrations in Older-Adult Metformin Users in REGARDS, 2003-2007. PLoS ONE. 2016;11(8):e0160802.

    John Evankovich

    John Evankovich, MD,, Travis Lear, Courtney Baldwin, Yanwen Chen, Virginia White, John Villandre, James Londino, PhD, Yuan Liu, PhD, Bryan McVerry, Rama K. Mallampalli, MD, Bill B. Chen, PhD. Toll-Like Receptor 8 Stability is Regulated by Ring Finger 216 in response to circulating MicroRNAs. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. In Press.

    Evankovich J, Lear T, Mckelvey A, Dunn S, Londino J, Liu Y, Chen BB, Mallampalli RK. Receptor for advanced glycation end products is targeted by FBXO10 for ubiquitination and degradation. FASEB J. 2017 Sep;31(9):3894-3903. doi: 10.1096/fj.201700031R. Epub 2017 May 17. PubMed PMID: 28515150; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5572686.

    Evankovich J, Cho SW, Zhang R, Cardinal J, Dhupar R, Zhang L, Klune JR, Zlotnicki J, Billiar T, Tsung A. High mobility group box 1 release from hepatocytes during ischemia and reperfusion injury is mediated by decreased histone deacetylase activity. J Biol Chem. 2010 Dec 17;285(51):39888-97. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M110.128348. Epub 2010 Oct 11. PubMed PMID: 20937823; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3000970.

    Evankovich J, Zhang R, Cardinal JS, Zhang L, Chen J, Huang H, Beer-Stolz D, Billiar TR, Rosengart MR, Tsung A. Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV limits organ damage in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury through induction of autophagy. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2012 Jul 15;303(2):G189-98. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00051.2012. Epub 2012 May 10. PubMed PMID: 22575222; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3404570.

    Evankovich J, Billiar T, Tsung A. Toll-like receptors in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion and transplantation. Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2010;2010. pii: 537263. doi: 10.1155/2010/537263. Epub 2010 Aug 5. PubMed PMID: 20811615; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2929604

    McKelvey AC, Lear TB, Dunn SR, Evankovich J, Londino JD, Bednash JS, Zhang Y, McVerry BJ, Liu Y, Chen BB. RING finger E3 ligase PPP1R11 regulates TLR2 signaling and innate immunity. Elife. 2016 Nov 2;5. pii: e18496. doi: 10.7554/eLife.18496. PubMed PMID: 27805901; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5092053.

    Kitsios GD, Fitch A, Manatakis DV, Rapport SF, Li K, Qin S, Huwe J, Zhang Y, Doi Y, Evankovich J, Bain W, Lee JS, Methé B, Benos PV, Morris A, McVerry BJ. Respiratory Microbiome Profiling for Etiologic Diagnosis of Pneumonia in Mechanically Ventilated Patients. Front Microbiol. 2018 Jul 10;9:1413. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01413. eCollection 2018. PubMed PMID: 30042738; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6048198.

    Meiners S, Evankovich J, Mallampalli RK. The ubiquitin proteasome system as a potential therapeutic target for systemic sclerosis. Transl Res. 2018 Aug;198:17-28. doi: 10.1016/j.trsl.2018.03.003. Epub 2018 Mar 29. Review. PubMed PMID: 29702079.

    Huang H, Evankovich J, Yan W, Nace G, Zhang L, Ross M, Liao X, Billiar T, Xu J, Esmon CT, Tsung A. Endogenous histones function as alarmins in sterile inflammatory liver injury through Toll-like receptor 9 in mice. Hepatology. 2011 Sep 2;54(3):999-1008. doi: 10.1002/hep.24501. PubMed PMID: 21721026; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3213322.

    Lear T, Dunn SR, McKelvey AC, Mir A, Evankovich J, Chen BB, Liu Y. RING finger protein 113A regulates C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 stability and signaling. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2017 Nov 1;313(5):C584-C592. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00193.2017. Epub 2017 Oct 4. Erratum in: Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2019 Apr 1;316(4):C582. PubMed PMID: 28978524; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5792167.

    Huang H, Chen HW, Evankovich J, Yan W, Rosborough BR, Nace GW, Ding Q, Loughran P, Beer-Stolz D, Billiar TR, Esmon CT, Tsung A. Histones activate the NLRP3 inflammasome in Kupffer cells during sterile inflammatory liver injury. J Immunol. 2013 Sep 1;191(5):2665-79. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1202733. Epub 2013 Jul 31. PubMed PMID: 23904166; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3777242.

    Evankovich J, Dedhia RC, Bastaki JM, Tublin M, Johnson JT. Primary sclerosing paraganglioma of the thyroid gland: a case report. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2012 Aug;121(8):510-5. PubMed PMID: 22953656.

    Klune JR, Dhupar R, Kimura S, Ueki S, Cardinal J, Nakao A, Nace G, Evankovich J, Murase N, Tsung A, Geller DA. Interferon regulatory factor-2 is protective against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2012 Sep 1;303(5):G666-73. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00050.2012. Epub 2012 Jun 28. PubMed PMID: 22744333; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3468551.

    Dhupar R, Evankovich J, Ochoa JB, Vargas LG, Hughes SJ. Outcomes of operative management of appendicitis. Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2012 Jun;13(3):141-6. doi: 10.1089/sur.2011.104. Epub 2012 May 8. PubMed PMID: 22568920.

    Zhang L, Cardinal JS, Bahar R, Evankovich J, Huang H, Nace G, Billiar TR, Rosengart MR, Pan P, Tsung A. Interferon regulatory factor-1 regulates the autophagic response in LPS-stimulated macrophages through nitric oxide. Mol Med. 2012 Mar 27;18:201-8. doi: 10.2119/molmed.2011.00282. PubMed PMID: 22105605; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3320143.

    Nace G, Evankovich J, Eid R, Tsung A. Dendritic cells and damage-associated molecular patterns: endogenous danger signals linking innate and adaptive immunity. J Innate Immun. 2012;4(1):6-15. doi: 10.1159/000334245. Epub 2011 Nov 11. Review. PubMed PMID: 22086146.

    Li P, Du Q, Cao Z, Guo Z, Evankovich J, Yan W, Chang Y, Shao L, Stolz DB, Tsung A, Geller DA. Interferon-γ induces autophagy with growth inhibition and cell death in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells through interferon-regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1). Cancer Lett. 2012 Jan 28;314(2):213-22. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2011.09.031. Epub 2011 Oct 1. PubMed PMID: 22056812; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3487386.

    Dhupar R, Evankovich J, Klune JR, Vargas LG, Hughes SJ. Delayed operating room availability significantly impacts the total hospital costs of an urgent surgical procedure. Surgery. 2011 Aug;150(2):299-305. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2011.05.005. PubMed PMID: 21801967.

    Dhupar R, Klune JR, Evankovich J, Cardinal J, Zhang M, Ross M, Murase N, Geller DA, Billiar TR, Tsung A. Interferon regulatory factor 1 mediates acetylation and release of high mobility group box 1 from hepatocytes during murine liver ischemia-reperfusion injury. Shock. 2011 Mar;35(3):293-301. doi: 10.1097/SHK.0b013e3181f6aab0. PubMed PMID: 20856174.

    Charlie Kuang

    Haenfler JM, Kuang C, Lee CY. Cortical aPKC kinase activity distinguishes neural stem cells from progenitor cells by ensuring asymmetric segregation of Numb. Dev Biol. 2012;365(1):219-28.

    Kuang C, Golden KL, Simon CR, et al. A novel fizzy/Cdc20-dependent mechanism suppresses necrosis in neural stem cells. Development. 2014;141(7):1453-64.

    Lim M-H, Kuang C, Lippard SJ. Nitric Oxide Induced Fluorescence Enhancement by Displacement of Dansylated Ligands from Cobalt. ChemBioChem. 2006. 7(10):1571-1567.

    Azadeh Nasrazadani

    Chen P, O’neal JF, Ebelt ND, Mitra S, Nasrazadani A, et al. Jnk2 effects on tumor development, genetic instability and replicative stress in an oncogene-driven mouse mammary tumor model. PLoS ONE. 2010;5(5):e10443.

    Nasrazadani A, Van den berg CL. c-Jun N-terminal Kinase 2 Regulates Multiple Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Pathways in Mouse Mammary Tumor Growth and Metastasis. Genes Cancer. 2011;2(1):31-45.

    Nasrazadani A, Thomas RA, Oesterreich S, Lee AV. Precision Medicine in Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer. Front Oncol. 2018;8:144.

    Otoukesh S, Cooper CJ, Lou W, Mojtahedzadeh M, Nasrazadani A, Wampler M, Nahleh Z. Combination chemotherapy regimen in a patient with metastatic malignant pheochromocytoma and neurofibromatosis type 1. Am J Case Rep. 2014;15:123-7.

    Amaya CN, Perkins M, Belmont A, Herrera C, Nasrazadani A, et al.  Non-selective beta blockers inhibit angiosarcoma cell viability and increase progression free- and overall-survival in patients diagnosed with metastatic angiosarcoma. Oncoscience. 2018;5(3-4):109-119.

    Kevin Quann

    Londin E, Loher P, Telonis AG, Quann KA, et al. Analysis of 13 cell types reveals evidence for the expression of numerous novel primate- and tissue-specific microRNAs. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2015;112(10):E1106-15.

    Clark PM, Loher P, Quann K, Brody J, Londin ER, Rigoutsos I. Argonaute CLIP-Seq reveals miRNA targetome diversity across tissue types. Sci Rep. 2014;4:5947.

    Quann K, Jing Y, Rigoutsos I. Post-transcriptional regulation of BRCA1 through its coding sequence by the miR-15/107 group of miRNAs. Front Genet. 2015;6:242.

    Mogilyansky E, Clark P, Quann K, et al. Post-transcriptional Regulation of BRCA2 through Interactions with miR-19a and miR-19b. Front Genet. 2016;7:143.

    Mercier I, Gonzales DM, Quann K, et al. CAPER, a novel regulator of human breast cancer progression. Cell Cycle. 2014;13(8):1256-64.

    Quann K, Gonzales DM, Mercier I, et al. Caveolin-1 is a negative regulator of tumor growth in glioblastoma and modulates chemosensitivity to temozolomide. Cell Cycle. 2013;12(10):1510-20.