As we prepare for the start of a new academic year, I am delighted to welcome more than 40 new faculty members, along with an outstanding group of residents and fellows, to the Department of Medicine. Their expertise, talent, and dedication strengthen our collective commitment to excellence in patient care, research, education, and service.
WashU Medicine researcher Makedonka Mitreva, PhD, received the 2026 Henry Baldwin Ward Medal. The highest honor awarded by the American Society of Parasitologists, the Ward Medal is given annually to a mid-career member of the society who has achieved a position of leadership in independent parasitological research.
Timothy J. Ley, MD, a professor of medicine and of genetics at WashU Medicine and the Lewis T. and Rosalind B. Apple Chair in Oncology at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, has been elected as a member of the American Philosophical Society. The society was founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1743 to “promote useful knowledge.”
The START Strong Survivorship Clinic connects newly diagnosed patients with nutrition, physical therapy, emotional support, and resources to help them navigate treatment from the very beginning.
In July, the DOLF team and collaborators at the University of Indonesia published two new manuscripts highlighting zoonotic and zoophilic filarial species in the Belitung district of Indonesia. Long-term collaborators Drs. Peter Fischer and Taniawati Supali are leading research that will help to better understand the role of animals in the transmission and elimination of […]
Dr. Michael Root joins the Department of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine as an Assistant Professor as of August 2026 and Associate Medical Director of the Interstitial Lung Disease Program. Dr. Root is a pulmonary and critical care physician whose work focuses on the care of patients with complex lung […]
When Dr. Barbara Trautner arrived at WashU Medicine a year ago to serve as Co-Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases, she was ready for a challenge. What she may not have expected was just how much she’d enjoy watching the leaves change color. Coming from Houston, where seasons can feel more subtle, Dr. Trautner […]
The National Academy of Sciences is seeking nominations for its 2027 awards recognizing exceptional scientific achievement. Awards span a wide range of disciplines and career stages, honoring researchers whose discoveries have advanced scientific understanding and benefited society.
Dr. Scott Fabricant joins the Department of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases as an Assistant Professor as of August 2026. Dr. Fabricant completed his Infectious Disease training at Boston Medical Center. His clinical and research interests focus on the intersection of infectious diseases and substance use disorders, including serious injection-related infections, hepatitis C, […]
I am sad to report the death of Dr. Katherine Parker Ponder, a valued WashU faculty member for 24 years, first in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and then in the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hematology. Dr. Ponder succumbed to her breast cancer after a long battle that she approached with grace […]
Dr. Thayse Brüggemann joins the Department of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine as an Assistant Professor as of August 2026. Dr. Brüggemann research focuses on the mechanistic basis of lung inflammation and its resolution, with a particular emphasis on allergic lung inflammation. She integrates experimental models of disease, immunology, and […]
Dr. Andrea Davis joins the Department of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine as an Assistant Professor as of August 2026. Dr. Andrea Davis received her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Vanderbilt University, where she also served as Chief Resident. She […]
For 20 years, the WashU Medicine Diabetes Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital has provided comprehensive, patient-centered care for people living with diabetes while advancing education and research, embracing innovation, and expanding access to specialized treatment.
Joseph Park, MD, 2nd year Hematology/Oncology Fellow, received the 2026 Methods in Clinical Cancer Research Workshop awards from the American Society of Clinical Oncology/American Association for Cancer Research (ASCO/AACR Vail Workshop).
Dr. Bassam AlHamer joins the Department of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Lipid Research as an Instructor as of August 2026. Dr. AlHamer comes to the Division of Endocrinology with clinical interests in lipidology, cardiometabolic disease, and diabetes, and a particular focus on cardiovascular risk assessment and prevention. He is especially motivated […]
Dr. Xingbin Ai joins the Department of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine as an Associate Professor as of August 2026. Dr. Ai is a basic scientist and Associate Professor of Medicine. Dr. Ai’s long-term research interest is pathogenesis of lung diseases that affect infants and young children. Dr. Ai’s research […]
Dr. Douglas Hall joins the Department of Medicine in the Cardiovascular Division as an Assistant Professor as of August 2026. Dr. Hall completed his undergraduate training in Biomedical Engineering at Vanderbilt University before earning his medical degree and completing his medical training at Washington University in St. Louis. He specializes in the care of patients […]
Congratulations to the 15 Department of Medicine (DOM) Accolade Recipients. Matuska, Tammy Hematology Hematology Staff Geyer, Alex IM VA IM Resident/Clinical Fellow McDonald, Jay IM VA IM Faculty Cheng, Steven IM, Division of Nephrology Nephrology, IM Faculty Patel, Hersh IM IM Resident/Clinical Fellow Patel, Hersh IM Internal Medicine Resident/Clinical Fellow Patel, Hersh Medicine Intern orientation […]
Dr. Kenji Lim joins the Department of Medicine in the Cardiovascular Division as an Instructor as of August 2026. Dr. Lim is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis, where his research focuses on understanding the roles of the immune system in cardiac homeostasis and disease. […]
Aditi Ramakrishnan, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases, recognized early in her research career that community engagement would be critical. The Center for Community Health Partnership and Research talked with Aditi about her journey.
I am honored to announce that Dr. Rachel Presti has been named the Dr. J. William Campbell Professor of Medicine at Washington University. This professorship, established by John Doerr to honor the legacy of Dr. William “Bill” Campbell, an exceptional clinical infectious disease physician, recognizes outstanding contributions to clinically impactful research, transformative leadership, and exceptional patient care […]
Dr. Giulia Furesi joins the Department of Medicine in the Division of Oncology as an Instructor as of August 2026. Dr. Giulia Furesi completed her PhD in Cancer and Bone Biology at the Technical University of Dresden, Germany, where she investigated how solid tumors alter the bone microenvironment and demonstrated that tumor-derived factors reprogram skeletal […]
A new paper from the Bioethics Research Center at WashU Medicine, published in Frontiers in Neurology and led by Tristan McIntosh, PhD, an assistant professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine, offers one of the first in-depth looks at how the people most affected by glioblastoma — patients, their caregivers, and the neurosurgeons who treat them — […]
Dominique Cosco, MD, a professor of medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine, received the WashU Medicine 2026 Dean’s Medal for Education. The annual Dean’s Medal awards recognize extraordinary contributions to WashU Medicine and celebrate leaders whose achievements embody the institution’s interconnected missions of patient care, education and research.
The Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine congratulates Zhiyu Dai, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, on his appointment to the Pulmonary Vascular Disease and Physiology Study Section (PVP) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Center for Scientific Review. His term will run through June 30, 2030.
A new study from the Mitreva lab sheds light on the relationship between the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica and its bacterial endosymbiont, Neorickettsia. Researchers found that while these bacteria are widely present in fluke populations across the Americas and Europe, they show low genetic diversity and strong geographic patterning.
The inaugural WashU Cardiology Forum: Educate. Innovate. Collaborate. brought together cardiologists, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, trainees and primary care clinicians from across the region on June 6 at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac for a full day of education, discussion and professional collaboration.
WashU Nephrology is proud to announce that Naoka Murakami, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine, has been honored by the American Society of Transplantation (AST) for her outstanding contributions to the field of transplant nephrology.
Bristol Myers Squibb and Washington University in St. Louis Collaboration Expression of Interest Letter Overview Bristol Myers Squibb is inviting applicants to apply for a 6- to 12-month Drug Development Fellowship focused on Neurosciences with focus on neurodegeneration. This fellowship is designed to bridge the gap between clinical practice and drug development, equipping the next […]
Bristol Myers Squibb and Washington University in St. Louis Collaboration Expression of Interest Letter Overview Bristol Myers Squibb is inviting early-career scientists (e.g. postdoctoral scholars) to apply for a 3-year Research Fellowship by proposing innovative research projects in neurodegeneration and related fields. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to pursue their scientific vision, with the […]
Thomas Ciesielski, MD, an associate professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine in the John T. Milliken Department of Medicine at WashU Medicine, has been named the 2026–27 Presidential Fellow in Healthcare Safety and Quality by Joint Commission. The prestigious fellowship recognizes a distinguished professional who is ascending in a career dedicated to advancing […]
Congratulations on being recognized for being at the 98% for patient experience at WashU Medicine. This is an outstanding achievement and recognizes your commitment to delivering patient centered care, acknowledges your excellent bedside manner, meticulous attention to detail, exceptional communication skills and tremendous clinical knowledge and expertise. You take care of a large number of […]
Scope The American Philosophical Society awards a limited number of Daland Fellowships in Clinical Investigation for research in the several branches of clinical medicine, including internal medicine, neurology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery. The committee emphasizes patient-oriented research. Eligibility The fellowships are designed for qualified persons who have held an MD, DO, MD/PhD, or DO/PhD degree […]
It is my pleasure to announce that Dr. William G. Powderly will be named the Larry J. Shapiro Distinguished Professor in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences on August 1st. Dr. Powderly is currently the Dr. J. William Campbell Professor of Medicine and Director of the Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS), and Associate Dean for Clinical […]
The Department of Medicine is proud to announce that over 170 of our faculty have been selected for the 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctors® list. The Top Doctors® selection process is entirely merit-based. Doctors cannot pay to be listed. These doctors are best-in-class healthcare providers, embodying excellence in clinical care as well as interpersonal skills. […]
The halls of Washington University School of Medicine were filled with familiar faces and a shared sense of history this past April as the Department of Dermatology welcomed back a vibrant community of alumni, former residents, and faculty for the 2026 Alumni Weekend.
Nathan Stitziel, MD, PhD, professor of medicine and genetics at WashU Medicine, has received $1.9 million over five years from the Leducq Foundation as part of an international Network of Excellence award to identify genetic pathways that drive atherosclerosis and uncover new strategies to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
William Bowen Professor of Medicine and Professor of Public Health Mark Huffman, MD, MPH, has been appointed to the advisory board of the Fogarty International Center at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Huffman received the invitation from U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
It is my distinct pleasure to announce that Robert E. Schwartz, MD, PhD, will be the new Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology in the Department of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine (WashU Medicine), effective October 6, 2026. Dr. Schwartz is currently Professor of Medicine, Physiology, Biophysics, and Systems Biology at Weill Cornell […]
It is my pleasure to announce that Dr. Irfan Lodhi has been named the Edward H. Luehrmann Professorship in the Study of Degenerative Diseases. Dr. Lodhi earned his PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He completed postdoctoral training at Washington University, then joined the WashU Medicine faculty […]
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working with state and federal partners to investigate several outbreaks of cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal disease caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. In a health alert published July 14, the CDC reported 1,645 known cases of cyclosporiasis nationwide May to July of 2026.
I am pleased to announce that Dr. Sanjay Jain has been named the Mabel Dorn Reeder Distinguished Professor in the Department of Medicine. Dr. Jain earned a Bachelor of Arts in Genetics from the University of California, Berkeley, and combined MD and PhD degrees from Northwestern University School of Medicine. Following residency training in Anatomic Pathology and […]
Dr. Qiaonan Zhong joins the Department of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine as an Assistant Professor as of July 2026. Dr. Zhong completed her medical degree at Washington University and her residency in Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic. She returned to Washington University in St. Louis to complete her Pulmonary […]
Dr. Adam Schafer joins the Department of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases as an Assistant Professor as of July 2026. Dr. Schafer, is an Infectious Diseases clinician with an interest in general infectious diseases. His research focuses on the management of complicated intra-abdominal infections, optimization of antimicrobial therapy, and clinical outcomes. He has […]
Dr. Douglas Kepko joins the Department of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases as an Assistant Professor as of July 2026. Dr. Kepko earned his medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine before completing residency at Summa Health. During residency, he focused on educating medical students and interns prior to starting fellowship […]
Dr. Terrence Wong joins the Department of Medicine in the Division of Oncology as an Assistant Professor as of July 2026. Terrence Wong, MD, PhD, received his PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at The University of Chicago. In the laboratory of Dr. Tao Pan, he investigated how long non-coding RNAs fold into their native […]
It gives me great pleasure to announce that Dr. Elvin Geng has been appointed as the Virginia Minnich Distinguished Professor of Medicine at Washington University. Dr. Geng exemplifies the qualities this endowed professorship recognizes, including outstanding clinically impactful research and transformative leadership in education and mentoring. He received his MD and MPH in Epidemiology from Columbia […]
The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) released the 2026 Esteemed Awardees and has named Erica L. Scheller, DDS, PhD, as the recipient of the prestigious 2026 Fuller Albright Award. Named after Dr. Fuller Albright, a pioneer in parathyroid and osteoporosis research, this award recognizes scientific achievement by an investigator relatively early in […]
Colleagues, I am thrilled to announce that Dr. Stephen Oh has been named the Samuel B. Grant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine. Dr. Oh earned his undergraduate degree in Biochemical Sciences from Harvard University and his MD and PhD in Cancer Biology through the Medical Scientist Training Program at Northwestern University. After […]
Dr. Ananya Gupta joins the Department of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine as an Instructor as of July 2026. Ananya Gupta, PhD, is a microbial immunology enthusiast with over a decade of cutting-edge research experience specializing in pulmonary infections and underlying immune responses. Driven by a mission to map the […]