Saket Girotra and Emre Turer Elected Members of ASCI
Dr. Saket Girotra, a Professor in the Division of Cardiology, and Dr. Emre Turer, an Associate Professor in the Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, were among 100 physician-scientists recommended for election into the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI) for 2026. The ASCI received 262 nominations for this year’s group.
They join 39 active and emeritus UT Southwestern faculty with primary or secondary appointments in Internal Medicine.
“Dr. Girotra and Dr. Turer exemplify the strength of our physician‑scientist community,” said Dr. Ezra Burstein, Professor and Interim Chair of Internal Medicine. “Their election to the ASCI reflects not only their scientific rigor and innovative contributions, but also their commitment to advancing clinical care through discovery.”
Dr. Girotra earned his medical degree at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi. He also earned a master’s degree in epidemiology from the Harvard University School of Public Health in Boston. He completed internal medicine residency training at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and then obtained advanced training through fellowships in cardiovascular medicine and interventional cardiology at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, where he served as Chief Fellow. Before joining the UT Southwestern faculty in 2022, he served as Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Iowa City and was a member of the University of Iowa faculty. His research focuses on improving care delivery for cardiac arrest, cardiovascular and peripheral artery disease, and diffusion of new technology.
“Dr. Girotra is a remarkable clinician‑scientist whose work has reshaped how we view and improve systems of care for cardiac arrest and cardiovascular disease,” said James de Lemos, M.D., Professor and Division Chief of Cardiology. “His insights have had a measurable impact on patient outcomes, and his election to the ASCI is a fitting acknowledgment of his leadership and his contributions to the field.”
Dr. Turer earned his medical degree and doctoral degree in biological sciences at the University of Chicago and completed internal medicine residency training and a fellowship in digestive and liver diseases at UT Southwestern as part of the Physician-Scientist Training Program. He joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2015. His research focuses on discovery of new genes involved in maintaining intestinal homeostasis.
“Dr. Turer brings an exceptional blend of scientific curiosity and clinical perspective to his research on intestinal biology,” said Amit Singal, M.D., M.S., Professor and Interim Division Chief of Digestive and Liver Diseases. “His discoveries continue to open new pathways for understanding gastrointestinal disease.”
Established in 1908, the ASCI is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected medical honor societies, with 3,500 elected members.
“We are proud to see their achievements recognized at this national level,” Dr. Burstein said. “The ASCI’s recognition highlights the influence of their work and the trajectory of their growing impact.”
New members will be inducted officially on April 17.
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Dr. Burstein holds the Berta M. and Dr. Cecil O. Patterson Chair in Gastroenterology. Dr. de Lemos holds the Sweetheart Ball - Kern Wildenthal, M.D., Ph.D., Distinguished Chair in Cardiology. Dr. Singal is a Dedman Family Scholar in Clinical Care and holder of the Willis C. Maddrey, M.D. Distinguished Chair in Liver Disease.