Dr. Kurt E. Beschorner's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on improving safety in the food service industry, particularly by preventing slip and fall accidents through better footwear technology. The lab develops tools to help workers choose the right shoes and determine when to replace them, based on new research about shoe-floor interactions. By gathering data on how different shoes perform in various working conditions, the lab aims to enhance safety practices and ultimately reduce injuries for food service workers.

Dr. John R. Shaffer's lab focuses on understanding the genetic basis of oral diseases like dental caries and periodontitis, which affect billions of people worldwide. By conducting extensive genetic research and collaboration with over 800,000 participants, the lab aims to uncover new genetic associations and enhance tools for predicting and preventing these diseases. The ultimate goal is to improve oral health outcomes and reduce disparities in dental care through personalized approaches based on genetic insights.

Dr. Peter J Gianaros' lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on how our bodies respond to stress in midlife and how those responses might affect brain health later in life. By studying midlife adults, the lab aims to uncover the connections between cardiovascular health and risks for cerebrovascular disease and dementia. Their research could help identify ways to improve brain health by understanding stress-related cardiovascular factors.

Rachel Gottschalk's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding how immune cells in the lungs, specifically alveolar macrophages, function during both health and infection. The lab investigates how signaling molecules in the lung environment influence the behavior of these immune cells, which can help improve treatments for infections and chronic lung diseases. By studying specific genes and signaling pathways, the research aims to shed light on how to better control inflammation and immune responses in the lungs.

Dr. Joel S. Greenberger's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on innovative approaches to protect against radiation injuries, particularly the acute gastrointestinal syndrome caused by total body or partial body irradiation. The lab is pioneering the use of engineered probiotics to deliver therapeutic molecules that restore intestinal health and promote recovery. Their work aims to develop safe and effective treatments that could be used in emergency situations, such as nuclear accidents or cancer therapies.

Dr. Milos Hauskrecht's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on improving clinical care through advanced alerting systems that leverage electronic medical records (EMR) and machine learning. The lab is developing innovative ways to predict and alert healthcare providers to potential medical errors, especially in intensive care units (ICUs). By combining data-driven insights with human expertise, they aim to enhance patient safety and optimize clinical decision-making.

Dr. Reinhard Hinterleitner's lab studies celiac disease, focusing on how certain gut protists can help the immune system tolerate gluten. This innovative research looks at the relationship between these protists and immune cells to develop potential treatments for individuals at risk of developing celiac disease. By understanding these interactions, the lab aims to create new therapies that could help prevent food-related immune issues.

Dr. Ivona Vasile Pandrea's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding the impact of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on HIV/SIV infection and its relationship with metabolic disorders. The lab explores how factors like inflammation in adipose tissue and adenosine signaling pathways contribute to disease progression in people living with HIV. Their research aims to develop therapeutic strategies that can improve immune function and reduce comorbidities associated with ART-induced weight gain and inflammation.

Dr. Zandrea Ambrose's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding how HIV-1, the virus responsible for AIDS, develops resistance to a new type of antiviral drug called lenacapavir. By studying these resistance pathways both in test tubes and in specially designed mouse models, the lab aims to uncover how these resistant viruses may impact treatment and prevention strategies. This research is crucial for improving HIV therapies and understanding how drug resistance can affect public health.

Dr. Swaminathan Smita Iyer's lab focuses on developing innovative HIV vaccines that enhance the immune response to provide long-lasting protection against the virus. The research specifically investigates CD4 T follicular helper cells, which play a crucial role in stimulating B cells to produce antibodies. By experimenting with different vaccine platforms and adjuvants, the lab aims to improve the durability and effectiveness of HIV antibodies, contributing to the development of more effective vaccines.

Dr. Dario Aa Vignali's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding the complex mechanisms that regulate immunity, particularly in cancer and autoimmune diseases. They study proteins like LAG3 that inhibit T cell activity, exploring how these proteins can be targeted to improve cancer immunotherapy and manage autoimmune disorders. Their research aims to discover new ways to enhance immune responses against tumors while minimizing harmful effects on healthy cells.

Dr. Alok Joglekar's lab focuses on engineering immune cells to enhance their ability to recognize and respond to disease-causing pathogens and tumors. Through innovative techniques, the lab aims to transform how T cells interact with their targets, potentially leading to new therapies for diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders. The research involves developing novel receptor systems that improve the signaling capabilities of T cells, ultimately aiming to revolutionize immune engineering.

Dr. Paul Johnston's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding and developing new treatments for B-cell malignancies, particularly chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). They investigate a protein called Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase (BTK), which plays a critical role in the functioning of B cells. The lab aims to identify new molecules that can inhibit BTK without causing drug resistance, ultimately enhancing treatment options for patients.

Dr. Karl Kandler's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding how specific neural circuits in the inferior colliculus, a critical part of the auditory system, are developed and function. The lab investigates how these circuits affect sound processing and contribute to hearing disorders, such as tinnitus and problems with speech perception, particularly when there are abnormalities in early-life auditory experiences. By exploring the synaptic connections and properties in these circuits, the research aims to provide insights that could lead to better interventions for auditory impairments in children.

Craig Kaplan's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding the mechanisms of gene transcription in eukaryotic cells, particularly how RNA Polymerase II initiates and elongates transcription. Using yeast as a model organism, his team investigates how transcription start sites are selected and how transcription interacts with processes like RNA splicing and chromatin remodeling. Their research has broader implications for understanding gene expression and its links to diseases caused by transcription errors.

Dr. Takashi Daniel Yoshida Kozai's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on advancing technologies for brain stimulation and understanding brain responses to chronic implants. The lab is working on innovative electrode designs that aim to enhance the precision of stimulating brain cells, which could improve treatments for neurological disorders. Additionally, the research investigates how specific brain cells called oligodendrocytes affect the performance of brain implants over time, aiming to gain insights that could benefit both basic neuroscience and clinical applications.

Dr. Shou-Jiang Gao's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding how the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) causes cancer, particularly in the context of HIV infection. The research spans various aspects, including how KSHV alters metabolic processes in infected cells and how the microbiome influences the development of AIDS-related cancers like Kaposi's sarcoma. By exploring these mechanisms, the lab aims to discover new therapeutic targets and improve treatment outcomes for patients.

Dr. Francisco Jose Schopfer's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding how dietary fats, specifically conjugated linoleic acids, can enhance skin health and combat inflammatory skin diseases like psoriasis. The lab investigates how these dietary components interact with the body during phototherapy, a common treatment for psoriasis, to create beneficial compounds that reduce inflammation and protect skin tissues. Overall, this research aims to find nutritional strategies to improve treatments for autoimmune skin conditions.

Dr. Charles Laymon's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding how the aging brain clears waste, particularly beta-amyloid, which is linked to Alzheimer's disease. The lab investigates the role of various physiological systems, such as the efflux pump at the blood-brain barrier and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, in maintaining brain health. Their research aims to identify early changes that could indicate Alzheimer's risk, ultimately seeking therapeutic targets to prevent the disease.

Dr. Monga's lab at the University of Pittsburgh studies how the Wnt-Beta-catenin signaling pathway influences liver development and functions. Their research explores how this signaling regulates liver cell growth and the overall organization of liver cells in different zones. By understanding these processes, the team aims to uncover new insights that could inform treatments for liver diseases.