The Incubator Report Newsletter

Pitt-BWF Physician Scientist Incubator

Fall 2025

This quarter, we are proud to feature two current BWF scholars – Dr. Sahar Alimohamadi and Dr. Ryan Zeh – along with BWF Alum Dr. Erica Braverman.  We also highlight recent publications from our scholars and share the latest achievements from our program. Additionally, we’ve included a list of the upcoming Incubator classes/events.

The Physician Scientist Incubator is a program that was developed in 2018 to enrich the pool of MD/DO only physician scientists.  The Incubator has matriculated 7 cohorts for a total of 46 Scholars.  To date, Scholars have over 300 authorships since joining the program.  The goal of the program is to train the highest quality biomedical investigators by building their scientific, professional and resiliency skills necessary to become and persist as a successful physician-scientist.  Resident and fellow Pitt-BWF Scholars from multiple departments benefit from a structured curriculum, writing groups, executive coaching, and time-saving initiatives. 

Featured Scholar

Sahar Alimohamadi, MD is an Integrated Vascular Surgery Resident and current Pitt-BWF Scholar.  Her research interests revolve around the underlying mechanisms of premature peripheral artery disease (PAD) including inherited and acquired thrombophilias, platelet reactivity, and atherogenic lipoproteins under the mentorship of Dr. Edith Tzeng and Dr. Elizabeth Andraska. 

Dr. Alimohamadi’s research: Lower extremity acute limb ischemia (ALI), characterized by a sudden cessation or decrease in perfusion to a limb, is highly morbid. The mainstay of treatment is antithrombotic medications (anticoagulation, antiplatelets) and timely surgical revascularization. There are patients who will undergo multiple attempts at revascularization either due to failure to achieve adequate reperfusion or who re-thrombose after revascularization. Often, this results in major amputation, which is defined as amputation below-the-knee (BKA) or above-the-knee (AKA). Not only do repeat surgical procedures pose significant costs to the healthcare system, but it also results in significant emotional and physical strain on patients. Identification of the mechanisms underlying acute thrombosis of the lower extremity vasculature will elucidate novel therapeutic targets to be used alongside surgical revascularization.

Platelets are critical to thrombosis, and their role in lower extremity ALI is understudied. While antiplatelets are widely used, particularly aspirin (COX inhibitor) and Plavix (P2Y12 inhibitor), some patients will continue to display high platelet reactivity even in the setting of appropriate use. The prevalence of this “resistance” is not well-established but is estimated to be as high as 50% in peripheral artery disease (PAD) populations using Plavix and up to 20% in aspirin. Identifying alternate targets for medical therapy in this high-risk population of patients is crucial for prevention of major adverse limb events (MALE). In the era of personalized medicine, we now have the capability of using bulk RNA sequencing in conjunction with functional assays to characterize platelet behavior and map this behavior to the genome.

The goal is to identify corresponding proteins that represent a group of potential therapeutic targets for further investigation. With this goal in mind, we propose a multi-hospital, prospective, observational study to better characterize platelet function and the platelet transcriptome in patients with ALI with the following aims: (1) to characterize the relationship between platelet function with major adverse limb events (MALE) and (2) to characterize the platelet transcriptome in patients presenting with ALI. We hypothesize that patients present with ALI will have evidence of platelet reactivity that confers an increased risk of poor outcomes and will have enriched expression of genes corresponding to platelet adhesion and aggregation. 

Why have you decided to pursue a career as a physician scientist?  Dr. Alimohamadi shared, “Vascular surgery is rapidly evolving from a bioengineering standpoint, but also from a more basic genetic and biochemical standpoint. In my third clinical year of residency, I witnessed a population of patients, specifically, young patients with severe presentations and advanced peripheral artery disease (PAD) experience worse outcomes than I would have anticipated, given their age and comorbidities. I became interested in describing this pattern of disease and understanding the underlying mechanisms of the extreme presentation and poor outcomes. Pursuing a career as a research scientist provides the framework to investigate the underlying clinical questions we come across in our everyday practice to further the field and, ultimately, to improve outcomes in our patient populations.”

What are your future career goals as a physician scientist?  Dr. Alimohamadi shared, “My career goals, as a future graduate from a widely renowned vascular surgery training program, are first be a clinically and surgically proficient vascular surgeon. I chose vascular surgery because it is an exciting and rapidly evolving specialty, with a variety of disease pathologies and a variety of strategies to tackle many problems. I find the technical surgical aspects of the specialty challenging, rewarding, and fun. Furthermore, my goals include pursuing a practice at an academic institution, where the opportunities to pursue clinical and translational research are allotted.”

Featured Scholar

Ryan Zeh, MD is a General Surgery Resident and current BWF Scholar. He is focused on bridging biomedical informatics with surgical oncology, aiming to improve personalization, precision and clinical decision-making in surgical cancer care. His work spans projects in several domains such as computer vision, radiomics, and machine learning under the mentorship of Drs. Amer Zureikat, MD, Udai Kammula, MD, Ganesh Sankaranarayanan, PhD and Rafael Ceschin, PhD.

Dr. Zeh’s research: Utilizing computer vision and deep learning models, Dr. Zeh is developing methods for real-time margin detection and post-operative complication prediction during pancreatic surgery. His radiomics project leverages radiographic biomarkers to guide treatment decisions in metastatic uveal melanoma, particularly identifying imaging-derived predictors of oncologic immune response. In addition, he is applying machine learning to build prediction models and clinical-decision support tools utilizing large databases to improve risk stratification and surgical outcomes. Through efforts, Dr. Zeh seeks to bridge big-data with surgical practice and design tools to inform surgical decision-making.

Why have you decided to pursue a career as a physician scientist?  Dr. Zeh shared, "My early experiences in translational research and collaborations with technology partners showed me how powerful technology can be in directly improving patient care. As a surgeon-scientist, I can bring questions from the hospital and operating room to the lab, develop solutions through research, and translate them back to the bedside. This career path allows me to combine my passions for surgery, research and technology in ways that meaningfully impact patients and the field.”

What are your future career goals as a physician scientist?  Dr. Zeh shared, “My goal is to lead a multidisciplinary career at the intersection of surgical oncology, artificial intelligence and biomedical informatics. I want to develop tools utilizing a broad array of computational methods to guide surgical decision-making and personalize cancer care. By integrating clinical expertise with advances in data science and technology, I hope to advance the field and improve outcomes for patients with complex cancers.”

Alumni Spotlight

Erica Lynne Braverman, MD is currently Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. She specializes in pediatric hematology oncology and is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Pediatrics. Dr. Braverman was a Pitt-BWF Scholar from 2019-2021. We recently caught up with Dr. Braverman and she kindly provided an update. 

Why did you decide to pursue a career as a physician scientist?  Dr. Braverman shared, “I’ve become a physician-scientist because I believe it is critical to have both a clinician’s voice at the bench as well as a scientist’s voice in the clinic to successfully find and develop new curative therapies. Throughout my medical training, I found myself consistently drawn to clinical trials – how were these therapies developed? Why are they being given in the chosen manner? What is being evaluated as the endpoint for their efficacy? At the same time, as my clinical interests drew me towards pediatric oncology, I was consistently affected not only by the cases where modern chemotherapy protocols failed patients, but also those where patients developed significant side effects from their otherwise effective therapy. As I entered the research-focused years of my clinical fellowship, I started to see a path develop wherein I could use my clinical experience to inform my work at the bench, while also using time at the bench to develop rational and meaningful treatment protocols for the clinic. I’ve elected to stay in this field, despite the challenges of straddling the two often very different worlds, because I know that this gives me the best opportunity to create the new therapies and protocols that will change my patients’ lives.”

What are your research interests? Dr. Braverman shared, “My interest at the bench has always been the interplay between cancer and the immune system. From the first time I learned that immune cells can recognize and kill cancer cells, I’ve been focused on finding ways to harness the immune response against cancer to limit patients’ exposures to more toxic therapies. I’ve begun to focus my area of expertise into the field of pediatric sarcomas. These cancers can be incredibly difficult to treat – especially when patients present with metastatic disease. My research seeks to find ways to arm the immune system against pediatric sarcomas by both finding ways to optimize anti-tumor T cells, including through the use of cellular immunotherapies, while simultaneously identifying interventions to decrease the immunosuppressive nature of sarcoma tumors.”

What are your future career goals as a physician-scientist?  Dr. Braverman responded, “Like many physician scientists, my goal is to create more effective and tolerable treatment regimens for my patients, with a focus on our most difficult-to-treat cancers. I plan to use my growing expertise at the bench to preclinically test new anti-cancer therapies and design rationale protocols to bring to the clinic. I will then care for treated patients in real time and bring any important observations back to the bench to further optimize treatment, with the ultimate goal of designing effective and well tolerated therapies. I also plan to continue collaborative efforts with other investigators working in the cancer immunotherapy field to have the greatest potential impact across a wide variety of diseases.”

Dr. Braverman shared a comment on the BWF incubator Program. “The BWF Incubator Program has had a profound influence on me and my career. For physician-scientists, the clock for critical early career funding starts ticking as soon as clinical training is complete. However, while MD(DO)/PhDs have the benefit of their research training background leading into this timepoint, MDs/DOs do not.  This makes it incredibly difficult for MD/DO-only scientists to successfully compete for the funding required to start an independent lab. The BWF program provided funding and structured learning opportunities to supplement our scientific training, which helped me to gain critical skills while I pursued the steep learning curve of bench science. It also provided a supportive peer network of other MD/DO-only scientists. I am incredibly grateful for this program, and do not think I would be the physician-scientist I am today without the support and mentoring I continue to receive.”

Dr. Braverman’s recent research publications: 

• Braverman EL, Mognol GP, Minn AJ, Vignali DAA, Varner JA. One Step Ahead: Preventing Tumor Adaptation to Immune Therapy.  Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book. 2025 Jun;45(3):e481556. doi: 10.1200/EDBK-25-481556. Epub 2025 May 7. PMID: 40334183
• Jain S, Maurer L, Cooper J, Correa D, McCormick M, Devine K, Close A, Braverman E, Squires J, Ritchey AK, Nolfi-Donegan D. Neonatal Portal Vein Thrombosis: A Retrospective Study of Management and Follow-Up at One Institution. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2025 May;72(5):e31589. doi: 10.1002/pbc.31589. Epub 2025 Feb 12. PMID: 39937535
• Braverman EL, Vignali DAA, Workman CJ. Multiplex targeting of immune-modulating genes in cancer. Nat Immunol. 2025 Apr;26(4):531-533. doi: 10.1038/s41590-025-02115-9. PMID: 40108420 
• Braverman EL, Qin M, Schuler H, Brown H, Wittmann C, Ramgopal A, Kemp F, Mullet SJ, Yang A, Poholek AC, Gelhaus SL, Byersdorfer CA. AMPK agonism optimizes the in vivo persistence and anti-leukemia efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor T cells. bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2024 Sep 29:2024.09.26.615290. doi: 10.1101/2024.09.26.615290. PMID: 39386600 
• Ramgopal A, Braverman EL, Sun LK, Monlish D, Wittmann C, Kemp F, Qin M, Ramsey MJ, Cattley R, Hawse W, Byersdorfer CA. AMPK drives both glycolytic and oxidative metabolism in murine and human T cells during graft-versus-host disease. Blood Adv. 2024 Aug 13;8(15):4149-4162. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010740. PMID: 38810258 
• Kemp F, Braverman EL, Byersdorfer CA. Fatty acid oxidation in immune function. Front Immunol. 2024 Jun 27;15:1420336. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1420336. eCollection 2024. PMID: 39007133 
• Braverman EL, McQuaid MA, Schuler H, Qin M, Hani S, Hippen K, Monlish DA, Dobbs AK, Ramsey MJ, Kemp F, Wittmann C, Ramgopal A, Brown H, Blazar B, Byersdorfer CA. Overexpression of AMPKγ2 increases AMPK signaling to augment human T cell metabolism and function. J Biol Chem. 2024 Jan;300(1):105488. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105488. Epub 2023 Nov 22. PMID: 38000657
• Braverman EL, Waltz G, Byersdorfer CA. Immunometabolism in haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and adoptive cellular therapies. Curr Opin Hematol. 2020 Nov;27(6):353-359. doi: 10.1097/MOH.0000000000000615. PMID: 33003083 

Recent Pitt-BWF Scholar Publications

• Lyman K, McClung C. Keeping Time: Investigating the relationship between circadian rhythm and mood disorders via precise circadian measurement techniques.  Research Directions: Depression (accepted for publication)
• Huq S, Kallos JA, Boggs K, Diamond K, Scanlon S, Bin-Alamer O, Rivera D, Pearce TM, Hadjipanayis CG. Improved Detection of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid-Induced Fluorescence in Gliomas Using a Novel Handheld Device. Oper Neurosurg. 2025 Oct 10. doi: 10.1227/ons.0000000000001798. Online ahead of print. PMID: 41070960
• Antonelli V, Patterson C, Pineda Molina C, Johnson SA, Hu M, Hussey GS, Medich DS, Badylak SF. Extracellular Matrix Hydrogel Reduces Anastomotic Leaks in a Rodent Model of Rectal Anastomosis. J Surg Res. 2025 Oct 6;315:241-250. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2025.09.008. Online ahead of print. PMID: 41056845
• Huq S, McDowell MM, Alattar AA, Stefko ST, Gardner PA. Supraorbital craniotomy for microvascular decompression of optic nerve due to neurovascular conflict with anterior cerebral artery: 2-Dimensional operative video. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2025 Oct;257:109062. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2025.109062. Epub 2025 Jul 22. PMID: 40743657
• Padilla CM, Lafyatis R, Gibson KF, Morse C, Valenzi E, Chen X, Li X, Zhao Y, Park Y, Ascherman D, Minden J, Domsic R, Zhang Y, Kass DJ. LOXHD1 and RHOB Expression by Monocytes Predicts Progressive Systemic Sclerosis associated Interstitial Lung Disease. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2025 Aug 7. doi: 10.1002/acr.25619. Online ahead of print. PMID: 40771159
• Padilla C, Katikineni V, Park Y, Freno L, Laffoon M, Reichbaum L, Lafyatis R, Domsic R. Effects of Audio-Guided Imagery on Raynaud Phenomenon in Connective Tissue Disease. ACR Open Rheumatol. 2025 Aug;7(8):e70074. doi: 10.1002/acr2.70074. PMID: 40878837
• Pease M, Mallela AN, Roy S, Gonzalez-Martinez J, Okonkwo DO, Hammond FM, Abramovici S, Elmer J, Kerr WT, Castellano J.  Antiseizure Medication Prescription Patterns for Treatment of Post-Traumatic Epilepsy. Neurol Clin Pract. 2025 Aug;15(4):e200466. doi: 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000200466. Epub 2025 Jul 7. PMID: 40666129
• Chandra D, Allbright K, Kinney GL, Li Y, Bowler R, Serban K, Nyunoya T, Dutta P, Rennard S, Sciurba F, Königshoff M. Use of the Wnt/β-catenin Activator Lithium Is Associated with Less Emphysema. medRxiv [Preprint]. 2025 Jul 24:2025.07.24.25332150. doi: 10.1101/2025.07.24.25332150.PMID: 40778140 
• Dorken-Gallastegi A, Hong Y, Hess NR, Ziegler LA, Abdullah M, Iyanna N, Ramanan R, Hickey GW, Keebler ME, Kaczorowski DJ. Bridge to Heart Transplant With Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support: Trends and Outcomes in the 2018 Allocation Policy Era. ASAIO J. 2025 Jul 1;71(7):571-578. doi: 10.1097/MAT.0000000000002352. Epub 2024 Dec 4. PMID: 39631048

Latest Achievements

Dr. Yannis Hadjiyannis presented the poster, “Interferon-Signaling and Differential Immune Cell Activation Characterize Subclinical Liver Transplant Rejection versus Allograft Quiescence” at the World Transplant Congress in San Francisco, CA, August 2-6, 2025.  Dr. Hadjiyannis also presented the poster, “Dynamic JAK-STAT Signatures in Subclinical Liver Transplant Rejection That Prevails in Clinical T-Cell-Mediated Rejection”, at the Pittsburgh Liver Research Center Annual meeting held on September 30, 2025.

Dr. Ryan Zeh gave an oral presentation titled “Post Operative Pancreatic Fistula Risk Prediction Utilizing Video-based Assessment and Validated Clinical Variables”, at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress in Chicago, IL, October 4-7, 2025.

Dr. Sakibul Huq received an internal grant from the Walter L. Copeland Fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation for the project, “Radiomics as a Novel Paradigm for Classification and Prognostication for Skull Base Chordoma and Chondrosarcoma.”

Dr. Steinman and Kathryn Lovas presented the poster, “The Pitt-BWF Physician Scientist Incubator Program” at the 10th Annual University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Academy of Distinguished Medical Educators Med Ed Day held on September 12, 2025.

Upcoming Classes/Events

Pitt-BWF Class

The instructor is Dr. Steinman unless otherwise indicated.

NOVEMBER

November 6, 2025	Writing group/WIP/Gantt Charts
November 13, 2025	Biostats – working through class data/examples (Seyed Nouraie, MD, PhD)
November 20, 2025	Challenges and resources for early faculty (Sidrah Khan, MD)

DECEMBER

December 4, 2025	Best practices in manuscript generation/submission (Oliver Eickelberg, MD)
December 11, 2025	Interviewing, hiring, and supervising skills (Thomas Kleyman, MD)
December 18, 2025	Writing group/Work in progress

JANUARY

January 8, 2026	Executive Coaching Workshop (Michael Forlenza, PhD, MPH, MS, TIPC)
January 29, 2026	Writing group/mock study section

Our weekly curriculum is open to interested trainees throughout Pitt.  Classes are on Thursdays generally from 8:00 am to 10:00 am.  Contact our program administrator at lovaske1@pitt.edu for more information.