News Highlights - February 24, 2026
Kudos
Kogilwaimath Named Infectious Diseases Service Chief for Parkland
Siddharth Kogilwaimath, M.D., an Associate Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, has been named Infectious Diseases Service Chief for Parkland Memorial Hospital, succeeding Helen King, M.D., who will be returning to Georgia in May.
Since joining UT Southwestern in 2024, Dr. Kogilwaimath has contributed to strengthening HIV and infectious diseases care at Parkland. He helped establish a low-barrier HIV clinic at Parkland’s ACCESS Clinic, focused on engaging patients facing housing instability, substance use, and other barriers to care. In his role supporting low-barrier HIV care and outreach, he works on models to improve access for underserved patients.
Dr. Kogilwaimath is also involved in medical education and directs several teaching initiatives, including the HIV Journal Club, Hot Topics in HIV, and the HIV Lecture Series.
In his new role, Dr. Kogilwaimath will oversee the deployment of infectious diseases clinical faculty across Parkland, ensuring broad access to consultative services throughout the hospital. He will also coordinate the Division’s clinical and educational missions, strengthening alignment across inpatient, outpatient, and community‑based programs.
“I’m honored to step into this role at Parkland,” Dr. Kogilwaimath said. “Our teams have an extraordinary commitment to serving patients with complex infectious diseases, and I look forward to supporting our faculty as we expand access, advance education, and continue building programs that meet the needs of the communities we serve.” ■
Research Report
Brain Circuit Found to Drive Endurance Gains from Exercise
A new study published in Neuron identifies a specific brain circuit that is required for the body to adapt to exercise training and improve endurance. The multi-institutional collaboration shows that neurons in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) expressing steroidogenic factor-1 (SF1) are activated in response to exercise, and that repeated training strengthens these neurons through functional and structural plasticity.
Using in vivo calcium imaging, electrophysiology, transcriptomics, and optogenetics in mice, the researchers show that VMH SF1 neuron activity following exercise is necessary for endurance gains and associated metabolic adaptations. Inhibiting these neurons after training sessions prevented improvements in performance, while enhancing their activity boosted endurance beyond typical training plateaus.
The findings establish the brain as an active driver of exercise-induced physiological adaptation rather than simply a downstream responder to peripheral changes.
“We now have clear evidence that hypothalamic circuitry is required for endurance improvements,” said Kevin Williams, Ph.D., an Associate Professor in the Center for Hypothalamic Research and a co-corresponding author. “The brain is not just reacting to exercise. It is actively shaping how the body adapts over time.”
Additional contributors from the Center for Hypothalamic Research include Research Technician Kyle Grose; Instructor Eunsang Hwang, Ph.D.; Associate Professor Teppei Fujikawa, Ph.D.; and Professor and Center Director Joel Elmquist, D.V.M., Ph.D. ■
Dr. Elmquist is Vice Chair of Research and holder of the Carl H. Westcott Distinguished Chair in Medical Research and the Maclin Family Distinguished Professorship in Medical Science.
Study Examines Declining Use of Salt Substitutes in the U.S.
A new study co-led by Wanpen Vongpatanasin, M.D., a Professor in the Division of Cardiology and Section Chief of Hypertension, and John Giacona, Ph.D., PA-C, an Assistant Professor of Applied Clinical Research and a member of the Hypertension Section, finds that the use of salt substitutes among U.S. adults has declined over the past two decades, despite evidence that shows their effectiveness in lowering blood pressure.
The analysis, published in Hypertension, examined data from more than 37,000 adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2003 and 2020. Researchers found that only 2.5% to 5.4% of adults reported using salt substitutes, with usage falling steadily over time. Even among individuals with treated hypertension, fewer than 10% reported substituting salt.
Among adults who ate meals prepared outside the home three or more times per week, salt substitute use was slightly lower, though the trend did not remain significant after adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, and education.
“Despite strong evidence that salt substitutes can help lower blood pressure and stroke risk, most Americans still rely on ordinary table salt,” Dr. Vongpatanasin said. “Our findings showed that making this simple change could provide a practical, low-cost way to reduce sodium intake and improve cardiovascular health.”
Other UT Southwestern researchers who contributed to the study include Yinying Wei, M.C.N. RD, LD, CPT; Jesslin Abraham, M.D.; Lona Sandon, Ph.D.; Jijia Wang, Ph.D.; and Angela Price, M.D. ■
Dr. Vongpatanasin holds the Fredric L. Coe Professorship in Nephrolithiasis Research in Mineral Metabolism and the Norman and Audrey Kaplan Chair in Hypertension.
Liu and Colleagues Identify Developmental Switch Linked to Obesity Risk
Chen Liu, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Center for Hypothalamic Research, and colleagues have identified an essential developmental mechanism in the hypothalamus that may influence lifelong susceptibility to obesity. In a new study published in Neuron, the researchers show that the transcription factor Otp functions as a molecular “switch,” directing immature hypothalamic neurons toward either appetite-suppressing or appetite-stimulating identities. These findings provide new insight into how the brain establishes long-term metabolic set points.
The hypothalamus plays a central role in regulating food intake and energy balance. Two key neuronal populations maintain this balance: pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons, which promote satiety, and agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons, which stimulate hunger. Liu and his team discovered that Otp determines whether developing Pomc-expressing precursors retain a satiety-promoting identity or switch to become hunger-promoting AgRP neurons.
When this developmental switch was disrupted in mice, the animals consumed less high-fat diet and were protected from diet-induced obesity.
“These findings demonstrate that early developmental decisions in the hypothalamus have lasting effects on energy balance,” said Dr. Liu. “By identifying this fate-switching program, we begin to understand how the brain sets metabolic trajectories that persist into adulthood.”
Other Internal Medicine researchers who contributed to the study include co–first authors Baijie Xu, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in the Liu Lab, and Li Li, Ph.D., former Instructor of Internal Medicine and postdoctoral researcher in the Liu Lab, now Assistant Professor of Zoology and Physiology at the University of Wyoming. Both are previous recipients of the Seldin Symposium Basic Science Award. Additional contributors include Meilin Chen, Ph.D., and Zan Wu, Ph.D., postdoctoral researchers in the Liu Lab; Research Associates Swati, M.S., and Rong Wan, M.S.; and Steven Wyler, Ph.D., an Instructor of Internal Medicine. ■
To read the complete press release, click here.
Clinical Practice
New Team Formed to Help Doctors Spot and Treat Rare Inflammatory Disorders
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), two rare but serious conditions, can cause the immune system to become dangerously overactive. Because the symptoms often look like severe infections such as sepsis, these conditions can be hard to recognize quickly. That confusion can delay treatment, which is critical for patients.
HLH in adults is often linked to blood cancers, so doctors typically need to look closely for these underlying diseases whenever HLH is suspected. Treatment for children with HLH is well established, but adults can have many different causes, making treatment more complicated and less predictable.
To help doctors navigate these challenging cases, UT Southwestern and Parkland have created a multidisciplinary HLH working group. This team brings together experts who can offer guidance on how to evaluate patients, what tests may be needed, and which treatments to consider.
Any physician who suspects a patient may have HLH or MAS can HLHtaskforce@UTSouthwestern.edu the task force with a short summary of the case and specific questions. At Clements University Hospital, providers can also reach the team through a group chat in Epic.
The task force does not replace a formal medical consultation, but its goal is to help doctors move quickly so patients receive the right care as early as possible. ■
In Case You Missed It
New Study Finds 1 in 5 U.S. Adults Hesitant to Vaccinate Children Against Measles
As the United States experiences its largest measles surge since 2000, with more than 2,855 infections reported nationwide in 2025, researchers sought to better understand how Americans view measles and childhood vaccination.
In May 2025, Krutika Kuppalli, M.D., an Associate Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, and colleagues from the O’Donnell School of Public Health surveyed 1,166 adults to assess public knowledge, attitudes, and intentions related to measles prevention. Their findings, published in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, reveal both encouraging trends and concerning gaps at a critical moment for public health.
Overall, 79% of respondents said they would be willing to vaccinate a child under age 5 if recommended by a healthcare professional. However, 20% were unwilling or unsure, despite the fact that measles requires vaccinations coverage above 95% to maintain “herd immunity.” The study also found that while most participants recognized measles as a serious health threat, 50% reported that their knowledge of the disease was only “average,” highlighting persistent gaps in public understanding.
Parents were more willing to vaccinate than non‑parents (82% vs. 75%). Adults who believed the measles threat was “exaggerated” or who had not received an influenza vaccine were significantly less likely to support childhood vaccination. In contrast, individuals who perceived measles as a serious personal and community risk were much more likely to endorse vaccination.
The study revealed striking geographic differences as well. States such as Alaska, Delaware, Utah, Vermont, and Kansas reported intention rates above 90%, approaching levels needed for herd immunity. Meanwhile, West Virginia, Ohio, South Dakota, Nebraska, and North Dakota reported intention rates below 60%, raising concerns about regional vulnerability to outbreaks.
Taken together, the findings suggest that while childhood measles vaccination remains a social norm in much of the United States, that norm is increasingly fragile. Moderate self-reported knowledge, misperceptions about risk, and uneven geographic support for vaccination create conditions in which outbreaks can persist and spread.
The authors emphasize that strengthening public understanding of measles and reinforcing confidence in vaccination are urgent priorities. Educational campaigns, clear risk communication, and engagement through trusted healthcare providers may be especially important for reaching individuals who feel uncertain or underestimate the seriousness of the disease.
“This hesitant minority could undermine national immunity levels as outbreaks grow,” Dr. Kuppalli said. “We urge public‑health messaging that reinforces the benefits of the MMR vaccine and addresses misperceptions about measles risk.”
Other researchers from the O'Donnell School of Public Health who contributed to the study include Hannah Melchinger, M.P.H.; Saad Omer, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., M.P.H.; and Amyn Malik, M.B.B.S., Ph.D. ■