News Highlights - March 31, 2026
Announcements
The Donald W. Seldin Research Symposium, now in its 11th year, is a celebration of the mentored research accomplishments of Internal Medicine trainees. Throughout his 36-year tenure as Chair, Dr. Seldin championed the belief that research is inseparable from exceptional clinical care and education. That legacy endures in the Department’s annual showcase event, as we reaffirm our commitment to advancing knowledge, nurturing physician-scientists, and honoring the spirit of discovery that drives our mission forward. This year’s events begin during Internal Medicine Grand Rounds on Friday, April 3, with a keynote address by Michael J. Welsh, M.D., a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Investigator and Professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Occupational Medicine at the University of Iowa. The day continues with a research seminar by Alexander Bick, M.D., Ph.D., an Associate Professor in the Division of Genetic Medicine at Vanderbilt University and recipient of the Seldin-Smith Physician-Scientist Award from the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI). On Friday, April 10, our trainees will present their work during the symposium’s poster sessions, and on Friday, April 24, the symposium concludes with oral presentations from the Foster Fellows and the selection of this year’s Seldin Scholar. I hope you‘ll join us as we learn from one another, support our trainees, and strengthen the legacy Dr. Seldin entrusted to us.
Sincerely,
Ezra Burstein, M.D., Ph.D.
Interim Chair, Department of Internal Medicine ■
Dr. Burstein holds the Berta M. and Dr. Cecil O. Patterson Chair in Gastroenterology.
Kudos
Hobbs Receives ACC’s Top Honore for Scientific Innovation
Helen Hobbs, M.D., a Professor and Division Chief of Clinical Genetics, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Valentín Fuster Award for Innovation in Science by the American College of Cardiology (ACC). The honor recognizes her groundbreaking work in cardiovascular genetics and her leadership in research that has helped improve patient care.
Established by the ACC in 2022 and named in honor of Spanish cardiologist Valentín Fuster, M.D., Ph.D., the award is presented annually to a single physician whose contributions advance cardiovascular medicine through scientific innovation and the promotion of heart health.
An HHMI Investigator, Dr. Hobbs joins a distinguished group of honorees whose work reflects the spirit of the award’s namesake. Her selection highlights her role as a leading figure in cardiovascular science and underscores the continued impact of her research on improving outcomes for patients worldwide. ■
Dr. Hobbs holds the Dallas Heart Ball Chair in Cardiology Research.
Hill Recognized by AHA for Distinguished Leadership and Service
Joseph Hill, M.D., Ph.D., a Professor in the Division of Cardiology and Director of the Moss Heart Center, has received the American Heart Association’s Gold Heart Award, the organization’s highest volunteer honor. The award recognizes extraordinary contributions to advancing cardiovascular science, medicine, and leadership.
Dr. Hill’s “decade of editorial leadership as editor-in-chief of Circulation has helped shape the direction of cardiovascular science worldwide,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive of the American Heart Association (AHA). “Under his guidance, the journal has accelerated the dissemination of high-impact research, expanded its global reach, and reinforced scientific rigor at a moment when trust and clarity matter more than ever.”
Dr. Hill’s career includes leadership roles within the AHA and the American College of Cardiology, and numerous national and international honors recognizing both his scientific contributions and commitment to advancing cardiovascular medicine. The AHA Gold Heart Award reflects his legacy of service, scholarship, and impact.
Dr. Hill joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2002. His work has helped define how structural, functional, metabolic, and electrophysiological remodeling occurs in the disease-stressed heart. ■
Dr. Hill holds the James T. Willerson, M.D., Distinguished Chair in Cardiovascular Diseases and the Frank M. Ryburn Jr. Chair in Heart Research.
Classen Named UTA’s Graduate Nursing Preceptor of the Year
Elizabeth Classen, M.S.N., AGACNP-BC, an Advanced Practice Nurse in the Division of Nephrology, has been named Graduate Nursing Preceptor of the Year by the University of Texas at Arlington, in recognition of her “exceptional mentorship, professionalism, and support” of graduate nursing students.
Ms. Classen holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Boise State University and a master’s degree in adult gerontology from UT Health San Antonio. Prior to joining UT Southwestern in 2022, she served as a nurse practitioner at a specialized nephrology practice and at UNT Health in Fort Worth.
“This honor is very deserved,” said Miguel Vazquez, M.D., a Professor and Clinical Chief in the Division of Nephrology. “We are all very proud of Elizabeth’s accomplishments.” ■
National Journal Honors Zhang’s Study as Paper of the Year
Rong Zhang, Ph.D., a Professor in the Division of Cardiology and Director of the Cerebrovascular Laboratory at the Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, has earned the 2025 Paper of the Year award from Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, a journal of the American College of Sports Medicine. The editors selected his article, “Aerobic Exercise Training for the Aging Brain: Effective Dosing and Vascular Mechanism,” because of its strong scientific approach and meaningful contribution to the field.
Dr. Zhang’s paper examines research showing that regular aerobic exercise can help the brain stay healthier as people age. Activities such as brisk walking, jogging, or cycling, when done at a moderate to vigorous level and started early in adulthood, appear to support better memory and thinking later in life. The paper explains that this benefit may come from improvements in heart and blood vessel health. For example, exercise can make arteries less stiff and increase blood flow to the brain. These changes may help the brain stay flexible and better able to adapt, which can protect against age‑related decline.
The paper also highlights a new model developed by Dr. Zhang and his colleagues that brings together evidence showing how lifelong aerobic exercise can improve blood vessel function, strengthen the heart and lungs, and support the brain’s ability to form new connections. Together, these effects help explain how consistent physical activity over many years can contribute to healthier cognitive aging. ■
Learn More About the Crebrovascular Laboratory
Research Report
Major Trial Calls for New Approaches Beyond Hydration to Stop Kidney Stone Recurrence
A major multisite study published in The Lancet evaluated whether a structured behavioral program could help prevent the recurrence of kidney stones by encouraging people to drink more fluids. Although increasing hydration is widely recommended to reduce future stones, many patients struggle to sustain higher intake. The PUSH (Prevention of Urinary Stones with Hydration) Trial tested a combination of personalized water‑intake goals, smart water bottles, financial incentives, and coaching to help participants drink more each day.
The study followed more than 1,600 people over two years. While the intervention successfully increased urine volume, it did not lead to fewer symptomatic kidney stone events compared with standard care. The findings suggest that while hydration remains important, boosting fluid intake alone may not be enough for long‑term prevention. The authors note that new strategies beyond hydration may be needed to meaningfully reduce stone recurrence.
Naim Maalouf, M.D., a Professor in the Division of Endocrinology and Associate Director of the Charles and Jane Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research, served as lead investigator for UT Southwestern. His expertise in mineral metabolism and stone disease proved helpful in the design and execution of the study, and the UTSW team was instrumental throughout the trial. The Mineral Metabolism Laboratories in the Center for Mineral Metabolism served as the study’s central laboratory, analyzing urine chemistry for all participants across the PUSH trial.
“Staying well‑hydrated is still an important part of kidney stone prevention, but our study shows how challenging it can be for many people to maintain higher fluid intake over time,” Dr. Maalouf said. “By putting this approach to a rigorous test, we now have a clearer picture of where behavioral interventions help, where they fall short, and where new strategies including diet and/or medications are needed.” ■
Dr. Maalouf holds the Frederic C. Bartter Professorship in Vitamin D Research.
Marciano Lab Identifies Essential Kidney Mechanism for Concentrating Urine
UT Southwestern researchers have identified a previously unrecognized cellular structure in the kidney’s inner medulla that plays a key role in concentrating urine, according to a new study in Nature Communications.
How the kidney produces highly concentrated urine, allowing mammals to conserve water and survive dehydration, has long fascinated physiologists. The new study reveals that a little‑understood region of the kidney contains a surprising structural program and plays an important role in this process.
The research team, led by Denise Marciano, M.D., Ph.D., an Associate Professor in the Division of Nephrology and Director of the Medical Scientist Training Program, and graduate student Jane Warshaw, B.S., discovered that cells in the ascending thin limb of the Loop of Henle form intricate projections that tightly interlock with neighboring cells. This arrangement dramatically increases the contact surface area between cells in this nephron segment, which lies deep within the kidney’s medulla and has historically been difficult to study because of its anatomical location and the lack of genetic tools.
Dr. Marciano and colleagues found that this distinctive architecture is driven by the tight junction protein claudin‑10b. Using advanced imaging, genetic models, and physiological testing, the team showed that loss of claudin‑10b disrupts this cellular organization and impairs the kidney’s ability to concentrate urine.
The findings provide genetic evidence that the ascending thin limb contributes to the kidney’s concentrating mechanism, a system essential for maintaining the body’s water balance.
“For decades, scientists have suspected that structures in the inner medulla play a unique role in the kidney’s concentrating mechanism, but we lacked the tools to directly test this,” Dr. Marciano said. “Our study provides direct evidence for the role of the ascending thin limb and reveals the remarkable cellular architecture that characterizes this segment.” ■
Dr. Marciano holds the Carolyn R. Bacon Distinguished Professorship in Medical Science and Education.
Learn More About the Marciano Lab
Conzen Lab Reveals How Stress Signaling Helps Ovarian Tumors Evade the Immune System
A new study published in Endocrinology highlights an important discovery about how ovarian cancer evades the body’s defenses, offering a promising direction for improving future treatments. The research team, led by Suzanne Conzen, M.D., a Professor and Division Chief of Hematology and Oncology, found that ovarian cancer cells use the body’s own stress‑hormone receptor to create conditions that help tumors grow and resist immune attack.
The study shows that when ovarian cancer cells are activated by stress hormones, they release signals that weaken the immune response both near the tumor and throughout the body. Dr. Conzen explained that these tumor cells “activate and secrete local and systemic immunosuppressive cytokines that help certain bone marrow cells develop into powerful immune suppressors.” She noted that when the stress‑hormone receptor in these cells is inhibited, the cancer produces fewer of these signals, fewer suppressive cells appear in the bone marrow, and the tumors grow smaller.
This work builds on a series of discoveries from Dr. Conzen’s group showing that the body’s stress‑hormone receptor is a viable target for improving ovarian cancer treatment. The team is extending this research into breast and prostate cancers as well. As Dr. Conzen described, the receptor is not thought to initiate cancer, but it can amplify the cell’s survival responses once cancer is present. Under the right conditions, stress signaling makes cancer more resistant by helping it escape immune detection, and this newly identified pathway represents one such mechanism of immune escape.
“The observation that a cancer cell increases the bone marrow ability to produce mature anti-tumor immunosuppressive MDSCs and that these tumor signals (cytokines) also may direct the MDSCs to the tumor microenvironment is novel,” Dr. Conzen said. “Maybe we shouldn't be surprised that a tumor cell can co-opt stress-mediated survival signals to stay alive. Now we have to figure out how to block those signals.”
By revealing how stress‑hormone signaling fuels immune suppression, this study opens the door to treatment strategies that block this pathway and potentially enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy or immunotherapy. ■
Dr. Conzen holds the Andrea L. Simmons Distinguished Chair in Cancer Research.
Learn More About the Conzen Lab
Vongpatanasin Co-Authors Review Reinforcing Evidence-Based Approaches to Resistant Hypertension
A new clinical review published in JAMA highlights major advances in understanding and treating resistant hypertension, an especially challenging form of high blood pressure that remains elevated despite patients taking three or more medications. The review underscores the condition’s prevalence, affecting about 10% of people treated for hypertension, and its serious long‑term consequences, including a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular death.
“Because uncontrolled blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease, understanding the roots of resistant hypertension is a priority for prevention and long-term health,” said Wanpen Vongpatanasin, M.D., a Professor in the Division of Cardiology and Section Chief of Hypertension at UT Southwestern, who served as a key author on the article and helped shape its clinical recommendations. “The review explains why it is important to confirm that a patient truly has resistant hypertension before changing treatment.”
Dr. Vongpatanasin emphasized that identifying the underlying cause is essential because “patients are often labeled resistant without the careful evaluation needed to understand why their blood pressure remains elevated.” She also noted that many patients can achieve meaningful improvements with the right combination of medications, saying that “targeted therapy makes a measurable difference once clinicians have ruled out reversible causes.”
Evidence supports the use of chlorthalidone, combination medications, spironolactone, and in appropriate cases renal denervation. The review also outlines emerging drug and device therapies that offer additional options for patients whose blood pressure remains difficult to control. In select patients, amiloride and the endothelin receptor antagonist aprocitentan may also be effective alternatives. ■
Dr. Vongpatanasin holds the Fredric L. Coe Professorship in Nephrolithiasis Research in Mineral Metabolism and the Norman and Audrey Kaplan Chair in Hypertension.
Education & Training
UT System Grant Will Allow for Expansion of AI Platform Statewide
Judah Gruen, M.D., an Assistant Professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine, has received a $300,000 award from the UT R.E.A.L. Health AI program to support an 18‑month project titled “Scaling and Validating AI‑Enabled Simulation Assessment Across University of Texas Medical Schools.” The project builds on an artificial intelligence platform already in use at UT Southwestern that has graded more than 7,000 Objective Structured Clinical Examination encounters since 2023 and has shown strong agreement with human evaluators while significantly reducing the time faculty spend on grading.
Dr. Gruen will co‑lead the project with Andrew Jamieson, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor of Bioengineering architect of the AI grading system. Together they will collaborate with teams at five other UT institutions to put shared workflows in place across these campuses.
The platform uses rubrics to score text, audio, and video from student simulations without needing to train models for each campus or exam. This design makes it easy for institutions to begin using the system with existing rubrics and allows for consistent scoring across different programs. Testing has shown that the platform closely matches human ratings, and recent video-based assessments have performed as well as or better than standardized patient reviewers. The system has already cut manual grading by more than 97 percent and has reduced grading time from months to days, giving educators room to use stronger, more detailed assessments.
“This project will give faculty the gift of time, allowing them to focus more on teaching, mentoring, and caring for patients,” Dr. Gruen said. “It also will help students by giving them faster and more consistent feedback that supports their learning and makes their simulation-based training even more meaningful.” ■