News Highlights - March 10, 2026
Kudos
Jain Receives Distinguished Achievement Award
Raksha Jain, M.D, M.S.C.I., a Professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Medical Director of the Adult Cystic Fibrosis and Bronchiectasis Programs, has been selected to receive the 2026 John W. Walsh Distinguished Achievement Award from the American Thoracic Society’s Public Advisory Roundtable (PAR). The award recognizes individuals whose leadership, advocacy, and scientific contributions have measurably improved the lives of people with serious lung diseases.
Named for John W. Walsh, founder of the COPD Foundation and the Alpha‑1 Foundation and a founding member of the ATS PAR, the honor celebrates those who bring vision, hope, and meaningful support to patients and families facing complex pulmonary illness. According to PAR leadership, Dr. Jain was chosen for her “impeccable service to patients with lung diseases and critical care illnesses” and for embodying the passion, innovation, and patient‑centered focus the award represents.
In addition to directing the Adult Cystic Fibrosis and Bronchiectasis Programs, Dr. Jain leads multicenter clinical trials and conducts clinical and molecular research centered on new therapies for cystic fibrosis and on sex-based differences in airway disease. Her work has been recognized by the NIH, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for advancing understanding of hormonal influences on chronic airway inflammation.
Dr. Jain also contributes to institutional leadership through service on key committees, including the Ambulatory Clinic Medical Directors Committee, the Department of Medicine Clinical Trials Working Group, and the Aston Clinical Research Operations Working Group. She chairs the Department of Medicine’s Clinical Scholars Incentive Plan Committee.
Her selection for the Walsh Award underscores her sustained commitment to improving outcomes for individuals with cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis and to advancing research that directly benefits patients living with life‑threatening pulmonary diseases. ■
Dr. Jain is a Dedman Family Scholar in Clinical Care.
Faculty Members Honored on New SWAT Educators Wall
Six distinguished faculty members were recognized at the 19th Annual SWAT Celebrating Excellence in Education Reception and Awards Ceremony, where they were among the first to have their photos installed on the new Educators Wall outside the D1 lecture halls. The display honors educators whose teaching contributions have shaped learners across UT Southwestern.
James “Brad” Cutrell, M.D., and Thomas Dalton, M.D., were celebrated for their induction into the UT System Kenneth I. Shine, M.D., Academy of Health Science Education, a systemwide honor that recognizes sustained excellence and innovation in teaching. Their selection places them among a select group of educators across the UT institutions recognized for advancing health science education.
Reuben Arasaratnam, M.D., M.P.H., Namirah Jamshed, M.D., M.Sc., and Ricardo La Hoz, M.D., were recognized as newly inducted members of the Southwest Academy of Teachers. Membership in SWAT honors faculty who demonstrate outstanding commitment to education and mentor the next generation of clinicians and scientists.
Markey McNutt, M.D., Ph.D., was honored as a recipient of the Outstanding Educator Award, highlighting his exemplary contributions to learner development and his leadership in shaping educational programs.
The installation of the Educators Wall marks a new tradition for SWAT, celebrating faculty members whose dedication to teaching strengthens UT Southwestern’s academic mission. ■
Research Report
La Hoz to Serve as Principal Investigator for UTSW in ImmunOptimize Network
UT Southwestern will join the ImmunOptimize Network, a national collaborative research network focused on advancing clinical trials in infectious diseases affecting immunocompromised patients. The network is coordinated by investigators at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, Washington, and aims to accelerate the development and evaluation of novel diagnostics, therapeutics, and prevention strategies for vulnerable patient populations, including recipients of solid organ and stem cell transplants.
Ricardo La Hoz, M.D., an Associate Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine and Director of the Transplant Infectious Diseases Program, will serve as the Principal Investigator for UT Southwestern. The ImmunOptimize Network is designed to facilitate multicenter clinical studies funded by public and private sponsors, enabling more rapid implementation of trials in populations that have historically been underrepresented in infectious diseases research.
Participation in the network will position UT Southwestern to contribute to – and lead – clinical trials addressing critical questions in the prevention and management of infections in immunocompromised hosts. By linking institutions with expertise in transplant and other immunocompromised populations, the ImmunOptimize Network seeks to strengthen the evidence base that guides clinical care and improve outcomes for these high-risk patients. ■
Dr. La Hoz is a Distinguished Teaching Professor.
New Clues Emerge on How Acute Viral Infections Could Influence Parkinson’s Progression
A new study published in Nature by Dustin Heiden, Ph.D., and colleagues in the Beckham Lab sheds light on how acute viral infections and antiviral immune responses may contribute to biological changes linked to Parkinson’s disease. The Beckham Lab found that when neurons detect viruses and mount an antiviral immune response, neurons rapidly produce a modified form of the protein alpha‑synuclein (asyn), specifically, a phosphorylated version called pS129. This modification is a well‑known marker associated with the asyn aggregates that are found in the brains of people with Parkinson’s disease.
Using human brain tissue from patients with West Nile virus infection, along with mouse, primate, and cell‑based models, the researchers observed that acute viral infections consistently triggered a short‑lived spike in pS129 inside neurons. Importantly, this response happened before any formation of asyn aggregates, the pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease. This suggests that asyn phosphorylation is an early event driven by the body’s antiviral defenses that potentially occurs before the aggregation of asyn. The team also showed that this process is dependent on type I interferon signaling, a core antiviral pathway that many cell types, including neurons, use to fight viral threats.
While pS129 disappeared quickly after the immune response subsided, this discovery offers a potential explanation for why certain viral infections have been associated with a higher long‑term risk of Parkinson’s disease. Repeated or severe viral exposures may be a key catalytic event that activates the type I interferon pathway, creating conditions that over time could make neurons more susceptible to harmful protein aggregation, inflammation, and neurodegeneration.
“These findings highlight an important connection between acute viral infection, immune activation, and the molecular changes that precede disease in neurons,” said Dr. Heiden. “The work suggests new avenues for understanding how environmental triggers influence neurodegeneration and may eventually guide prevention strategies aimed at reducing infection‑related risk while emphasizing the importance of using the anti-viral preventive measures that are available to us.” ■
Learn More at the Beckham Lab Site
Link Co-Authors Study that Shifts Understanding of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
A new study published in the European Journal of Internal Medicine offers one of the most detailed comparisons to date of health outcomes in patients with paroxysmal and non‑paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). The research, co‑authored by Mark Link, M.D., a Professor in the Division of Cardiology, analyzed individual patient data from more than 71,000 participants enrolled in four major international clinical trials of direct acting anticoagulants.
The researchers examined 14 cardiovascular and bleeding outcomes over a median follow‑up of 2.2 years. Their analysis found that patients with paroxysmal AF, which is characterized by intermittent episodes, had a lower risk of stroke or systemic embolism and a lower risk of death from any cause compared with patients who had persistent or permanent forms of the condition.
The study also identified two areas where paroxysmal AF carried higher risk: major or clinically relevant non‑major bleeding and myocardial infarction. These increases were modest but noteworthy and may be related to higher rates of aspirin use and underlying coronary artery disease in this group.
“By drawing on large, rigorously conducted trials and applying uniform outcome definitions, the study provides strong evidence that AF type influences clinical risk in meaningful ways,” Dr. Link said. “The findings underscore that paroxysmal AF is not uniformly benign and that its management may benefit from individualized approaches, particularly in patients with bleeding risks or coronary artery disease.” ■
Dr. Link holds the Laurence and Susan Hirsch/Centex Distinguished Chair in Heart Disease.
Education & Training
Serpa Invited to Present IMG Connect Insights at Texas ACP Meeting
Frans Serpa, M.D., a second-year resident, has been invited by the Texas Chapter of the American College of Physicians (ACP) to share key lessons from IMG Connect, a UT Southwestern initiative designed to support international medical graduates (IMGs) as they transition into U.S. clinical training. The program focuses on mentorship, professional development, and wellness activities to help IMG trainees navigate the U.S. healthcare system.
IMG Connect, nationally funded through Intealth’s 2024 Well-Being Grant, has gained attention as a model for residency programs across the country. Under Dr. Serpa’s leadership, the initiative established a structured mentorship network for IMG physicians at UTSW, developed a comprehensive IMG orientation handbook, and organized the institution’s first wellness retreat dedicated to IMGs.
In recognition of his leadership and advocacy on behalf of IMG trainees, Dr. Serpa received the 2024–2025 House Officer of Excellence Award.
Originally from Ecuador, Dr. Serpa received his medical degree from Universidad San Francisco de Quito. Before beginning residency, he completed research training at Harvard-affiliated institutions, where he led multiple studies in cardiovascular epidemiology and outcomes research.
Dr. Serpa will discuss the development, implementation, and early impact of IMG Connect during the upcoming Texas ACP meeting, highlighting the program’s role in strengthening IMG support systems across graduate medical education. ■