Innovation and Research

Social work graduate student Ashlé Hall (SOC WK ’18) is a busy entrepreneur with a new line of hair care products designed to fill two very important needs.

The Human BioMolecular Atlas Program is developing an open, global platform to map healthy cells so doctors, scientists and educators can better understand disease and the workings of the human body.

Intubating COVID-19 patients can be dangerous for the health care provider. A new biocontainment unit developed by a Pitt-UPMC team trapped more than 99.99% of simulated virus-sized aerosols and prevented them from escaping into the environment

A study led by pathology’s Samira Kiani and published today in Nature Cell Biology showed that a new approach to CRISPR briefly suppressed genes to control the immune response in mice, making gene therapy delivery more effective.

Published as part of a four-article package today in JAMA, research led by Pitt’s Derek Angus found that an inexpensive treatment of steroids can substantially improve survival in critically ill COVID-19 patients. The findings, part of a multi-site global trial, were so stark that the World Health Organization is updating its treatment guidance for the disease.

While Pennsylvania was in the midst of COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders, Pitt senior Gina Watkins was digging into the reasoning behind past quarantine measures—finding racism and xenophobia were major players in policy decisions.

Should dieters worry about portion sizes or “light” versions of a snack? Assistant Professor Peggy Liu led a series of studies to find out.

Virologist Megan Culler Freeman has been curious about reinfections since the pandemic began. For The Conversation, she addressed some questions raised by a man who reportedly was reinfected with SARS-CoV-2.

From swimming devices to rare disease gene therapies, Pitt inventors never stop: The Innovation Institute reported a record 394 invention disclosures for last fiscal year, and Director Evan Facher says another robust year is ahead.

Ever wondered how to move a mechanical arm using only your mind? Third-year student Audrey Case can explain.