Millman contributes to landmark review on type 1 diabetes heterogeneity (Links to an external site)

Jeffrey Millman, PhD

Dr. Jeffrey Millman, Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research at Washington University School of Medicine, has co-authored a landmark review article on the heterogeneity of type 1 diabetes (T1D), published simultaneously on July 30 in three leading journals: Diabetologia, Diabetes, and Diabetes Care. 

Leveraging AI to improve NF1 patient care: Comparing clinical entity extraction methods (Links to an external site)

Figure illustrating the general project workflow.

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association (JAMIA) showcases how modern AI methods are advancing clinical and translational research in Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Conducted by Levi Kaster, BS, Ethan Hillis, MS, Inez Y. Oh, PhD, Elizabeth C. Cordell, MD, Randi E. Foraker, PhD, MA, Albert M. Lai, PhD, Stephanie M. Morris, […]

Innovative approach helps new mothers get hepatitis C treatment (Links to an external site)

Giving postpartum mothers with hepatitis C the opportunity to start antiviral treatment while still in the hospital after giving birth — and delivering the medication to their bedside before discharge — significantly increases their odds of being cured, according to a new study at WashU Medicine. (Image: Sara Moser/WashU Medicine)

Hepatitis C, a bloodborne virus that damages the liver, can cause cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure and death if left untreated. Despite the availability of highly effective treatments, the prevalence of hepatitis C infection remains high, particularly among women of childbearing age, who account for more than one-fifth of chronic hepatitis C infections globally. Within […]

Microbiome instability linked to poor growth in kids (Links to an external site)

Researchers at WashU Medicine found a link between an unstable, fluctuating gut microbiome and poor growth in children in a study that sequenced the genomic material from fecal samples collected over nearly a year from eight toddlers in Malawi. (Image: Getty Images)

Malnutrition is a leading cause of death in children under age 5, and nearly 150 million children globally under this age have stunted growth from lack of nutrition. Although an inadequate diet is a major contributor, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found over a decade ago that dysfunctional communities of gut […]

Urano brings expertise to national coverage of wolfram syndrome and its diabetes effects  (Links to an external site)

Fumihiko Urano, MD

On August 4, The Washington Post published an article titled “She was fit and healthy. Why did she get diabetes?” featuring the expertise of Fumihiko Urano, MD, PhD. Dr. Urano is a Professor of Medicine and of Pathology and Immunology with WashU Medicine’s Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, and Director of the Wolfram Syndrome International Registry and […]

Dr. Syeda Ashna Fatima Kamal joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Syeda Ashna Fatima Kamal joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital as an Instructor in September 2025. She brings a diverse and robust background in internal medicine, oncology, and palliative care to her role. She was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and spent much of her formative years in Dubai, United Arab […]

Transforming global heart health: The polypill strategy (Links to an external site)

Anubha Agarwal, MD, MSc

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. These conditions, which include atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, and heart failure, cause one in three deaths globally and one in five in the United States. Beyond that stark reality, those living with the conditions may contend with disability, psychological distress, financial burden, and […]

Dr. Jesse Zaretsky joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Jesse Zaretsky joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Oncology as an Instructor in August of 2025. His clinical and research interests focus on understanding mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy to guide better treatments for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and other cancers. Therapies that activate the immune system to fight cancer […]

Dr. Ashenafi Bulle joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Ashenafi Bulle joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Oncology as an Instructor in August 2025. He is a passionate and accomplished biomedical scientist whose career spans veterinary medicine, molecular biology, and translational cancer research across Africa, Europe, and North America. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) with distinction from Addis […]

Dr. Aaron Case joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Aaron Case joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine as an Assistant Professor in August 2025. He is interested in health services research, specifically understanding how to best optimize the intermediate care setting for both nursing and patient outcomes.  As more severely ill patients present to the hospital […]

An update from the Vice Chair for Career Advancement

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As we move into the new academic year, I am excited to share updates on two key initiatives in the Department of Medicine: AWAM (Advancing the Workforce in Medicine) and FWIM (Future Workforce in Medicine). Both programs reflect our commitment to supporting faculty and trainees while fostering collaboration, mentorship, and growth. Advancing the Workforce in Medicine […]

Genetic study suggests ways to catch blood cancer earlier (Links to an external site)

Kelly Bolton Illustration

A new WashU Medicine study shows that acquired mutations in blood stem cells — whether arising from smoking, exposure to toxins or even normal aging — interact with mutations passed down by parents in important ways that influence a person’s lifetime risk of developing blood cancer. The knowledge could inform early detection and prevention.

Building a World-Class Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

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Innovate, collaborate, and delivering care that makes a difference When Dr. Matthew A. Ciorba arrived at Washington University School of Medicine in 2001, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was still poorly understood, and treatment options were limited. Today, as director of the Washington University IBD Center, he leads one of the top programs in the nation—combining […]

Trautner contributes to IDSA Clinical Guidelines for cUTIs

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Complicated Urinary Tract Infections (cUTI): Clinical Guidelines for Treatment and Management IDSA has released the first IDSA guidelines on management and treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs). These guidelines provide practical advice for clinicians who manage patients with cUTIs in inpatient and outpatient settings. Barbara Trautner, MD, PhD, Co-Chief, WashU Medicine Division of Infectious […]

The world’s deadliest disease (Links to an external site)

In her lab at the McDonnell Pediatric Research Building, Jennifer Philips, MD, PhD (right), co-director of WashU Medicine’s Division of Infectious Diseases, works with Sharvath Kathi, a graduate student in the Division of Biology & Biomedical Sciences. (Matt Miller/WashU Medicine)

WashU scientists are collaborating to unlock secrets of a millennia-old scourge. Efforts may lead to an increased understanding of and improved treatments for tuberculosis, which is once again on the rise.

WashU Program Cultivates the Next Generation of Clinical Research Professionals (Links to an external site)

1st cohort of Clinical Research Professional Apprentices. From left to right: Johnson, Hanks, Berendzen, Martin-Giacalone

In a world where clinical research drives life-changing advancements in healthcare, it is critical to have a team of well-informed, skilled, and dedicated professionals to carry out clinical trials. The Clinical Research Professional Apprenticeship was developed at the WashU Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS), advancing the institute’s strong commitment to building a workforce […]

Non-canonical functions of DNMT3A in hematopoietic stem cells regulate telomerase activity and genome integrity (Links to an external site)

Luis F. Z. Batista, PhD, Associate Professor and Andrew L. Young, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, WashU Medicine Division of Hematology

Grant Challen, PhD, Professor, WashU Medicine Division of Oncology, teamed up with  Luis F. Z. Batista, PhD, Associate Professor and Andrew L. Young, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, WashU Medicine Division of Hematology, on a new research publication “Non-canonical functions of DNMT3A in hematopoietic stem cells regulate telomerase activity and genome integrity”, published this month in […]

Millman’s technology succeeds in new stem cell therapy trial, offering hope for type 1 diabetes (Links to an external site)

Jeffrey R. Millman, PhD

A groundbreaking clinical trial utilizing technology developed previously by Jeffrey R. Millman, PhD has reported promising new findings in the treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D). The study, conducted by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, evaluated a stem cell-derived islet (SC-islet) replacement therapy known as Zimislecel. In this Phase 1/2 trial, researchers implanted SC-islets into patients with T1D to replace the […]

In Memoriam: Stuart Arthur Kornfeld, MD

David C. and Betty Farrell Professor of Medicine, Stuart A. Kornfeld, MD, assistant professor Wang-Sik Lee, PhD, and associate professor Balraj Doray, PhD, look over test results in the Clinical Sciences Research Building on April 10, 2019. MATT MILLER/WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE Half-century of research illuminates how cells work in health, disease - Kornfeld reflects on knowledge gained from longest running NCI grant - Stuart Kornfeld, MD, has led the field of glycobiology — the study of sugars bound to proteins — for decades, fueled by the same grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) that first supported his lab more than 50 years ago. He reflects on his career and the advances made possible by the NCI's longest running research grant.

October 4, 1936 – August 17, 2025 It is with deep sadness that I share the news that Dr. Stuart Arthur Kornfeld, Professor Emeritus, passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2025, from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was 88. Dr. Kornfeld was born in St. Louis, Missouri on October 4, 1936, to Max and Ruth […]

Joynt Maddox in new roles at AHA (Links to an external site)

Karen E. Joynt Maddox, MD, MPH

Professor of Medicine and Co-Director of the WashU Center for Advancing Health Services, Policy & Economics Research Karen Joynt Maddox, MD, MPH has accepted two new roles with the American Heart Association as of July 1st. 

Katchi Named Co-Director of Advanced Cardiac Imaging (Links to an external site)

Farhan Katchi, MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine Farhan Katchi, MD has been appointed Cardiology Co-Director of the Advanced Cardiac Imaging (CT/MR) Program, a joint effort between Cardiology and Radiology, reinvigorating the program that was started in 2006 by Benico Barzilai, MD and Pamela Woodard, MD. He will join Scott Bugenhagen, MD, PhD who will assume the Co-Director role on the Radiology side.

Prabhu Lab publishes research on spleen-heart immune link crucial to heart attack recovery (Links to an external site)

Sumanth Prabu, MD, Lewin Distinguished Professor of Cardiovascular Diseases and Chief of the WashU Cardiovascular Division

Researchers at WashU Medicine’s Center for Cardiovascular Research have discovered that specialized immune cells from the spleen play a critical role in healing the heart after a heart attack. The study, led by Sumanth Prabhu, MD, Division Chief and director of the Prabhu Lab, identifies a unique population of macrophages—immune cells that clean up cellular debris—that travel […]

Messages from the Vice Chairs of Safety, Quality, & Operations

Thomas Ciesielski, MD and Maya Jerath, MD, PhD

Message from the Vice Chair of Inpatient Safety, Quality & Operations Welcome to the new academic year! The new bed tower, Plaza West Tower, is slated to open in October 2025. This will be a state-of-the art facility for heart and vascular patients. Please contact Thomas Ciesielski (t.ciesielski@wustl.edu) if you are interested in touring the new […]

Monica Chang-Panesso Awarded KidneyCure Grant (Links to an external site)

Monica Chang-Panesso, MD, Assistant Professor

Monica Chang-Panesso, MD, Assistant Professor, WashU Medicine Division of Nephrology, has been awarded funding from the KidneyCure Transition to Independence Grants Program, a foundation of the American Society of Nephrology (ASN).

Siteman Investment Program Awards $2.42 Million for Cancer Research (Links to an external site)

Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine is pleased to announce funding for 12 new projects, including four clinical trials. Through this research, investigators aim to improve the understanding of tumor formation and growth, develop safer, more effective therapies, and explore new cancer screening strategies.

Leadership Announcement – Cardiology/Medicine Firm Medical Director

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I am pleased to announce that Justin Sadhu, MD, MPHS, FACC, Professor of Medicine, in the Cardiovascular Division, has been appointed as the Cardiology/Medicine Firm Medical Director.  Justin S. Sadhu, MD, MPHS, FACC, Professor of Medicine in the Cardiovascular Division, joined the Department of Medicine in 2015. Dr. Sadhu completed his undergraduate degree at the […]

July 2025 Kudos and Awards

Thank you, residents and interns, for all you do for one another and for your patients. Though often under-appreciated, your work does not go unnoticed. ​​​​​​​Help us highlight the kindness, clinical skills, and work ethic: submit here. Intern of the MonthDr. Niyaza Mammootty “She is an outstanding intern who exceeded every expectation. Performing at a very high level in […]

Dr. Brendan Knapp joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Brendan Knapp joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Oncology as an Assistant Professor as of August 2025. He is a clinical investigator interested in the management of patients with lung and head and neck malignancies.  He obtained his bachelor’s degree of science from Purdue University in 2015 and his MD from Indiana […]

Riek receives Endocrinology Teacher of the Year Award  (Links to an external site)

Amy Riek, MD

Amy Riek, MD, was honored by WashU Medicine’s Internal Medicine Residency Program as the 2025 Endocrinology Teacher of the Year. The award was presented during the program’s annual conference luncheon, held on May 15 at the Eric P. Newman Education Center. Each year, the Internal Medicine Residency class selects outstanding faculty, fellows, and residents who have made […]

EP Leadership Announcement (Links to an external site)

Daniel Cooper, MD and Timothy Smith, DPhil, MD

Cardiac Electrophysiology faculty members Daniel Cooper, MD and Timothy Smith, DPhil, MD will be in new roles in the Division beginning July 1. Dr. Cooper will be taking over as EP Lab Director, with Dr. Smith stepping into the role of EP Fellowship Director.

Transformative $15 million gift bolsters WashU Medicine’s physician-scientist training program (Links to an external site)

WashU Medicine secured $683 million in research funding from the NIH in 2024, a record high for the school and an affirmation of its leadership in shaping the future of medicine.

Internationally renowned physician-scientist and pharmaceutical executive, P. Roy Vagelos, MD, and his wife, Diana, have pledged $15 million to bolster the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis — a pioneering program founded by Roy Vagelos more than 50 years ago to train future generations of physician-scientists.

Dr. Christine Auberle joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Christine Auberle joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Oncology as an Assistant Professor in August 2025. Her clinical focus is on thoracic and head and neck malignancies. Her research interests include identification of therapeutic options for smoking-related diseases of the thorax and head and neck. She hopes to improve clinical outcomes of patients […]

Dr. Emily Podany joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Emily Podany joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Oncology as an Assistant Professor in August 2025. She has a clinical and research focus on breast cancer. Her clinical interests include metastatic breast cancer, symptom management to maintain quality of life, using liquid biopsy to focus treatment using targeted therapies, ensuring all patients […]

Dr. Walter Schiffer joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Walter Schiffer joined the Department of Medicine in the Cardiovascular Division as an Assistant Professor in August 2025. He specializes in cardio-oncology and cardiac critical care, with a focus on improving cardiovascular outcomes in patients with cancer and those requiring intensive cardiac support. His clinical and research interests center on better identifying and managing cardiovascular […]

July 2025 Accolade Recipients – SAFE (Supporting a Fair Environment)

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Congratulations to the 13 Department of Medicine (DOM) Accolade Recipients Huang, Alice Cardiology Cardiology – Firm Resident/Clinical Fellow Davis, Clayton Internal Medicine Cardiology – Firm Resident/Clinical Fellow Tang, Jonathan Internal Medicine Medicine Resident VA/1D Resident/Clinical Fellow Golden, Amanda Internal Medicine Senior Resident Resident/Clinical Fellow Scales, Kamilah Internal Medicine Residency IM Resident Resident/Clinical Fellow Patino, Diego […]

Call for Proposals: Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NORC) Pilot & Feasibility Program

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Application Deadline: Tuesday, September 2, 2025, by 4 p.m. The Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NORC) Pilot & Feasibility Program provides annual grant awards to junior faculty, offering mentorship on their projects and career development. Support is typically awarded for one to two years, allowing eligible investigators to explore the feasibility of a concept related to the […]