Monthly School News
People News
New Vice Dean for Research Appointed
Professor Jamie Maguire, PhD, has been appointed Vice Dean for Research at Tufts University School of Medicine. An internationally recognized neuroscientist and Professor of Neuroscience, Dr. Maguire is recognized for her research on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying epilepsy, mood disorders, stress, and women's health. Throughout her career at Tufts, she has also demonstrated a strong commitment to mentorship, faculty development, and institutional leadership. As Vice Dean for Research, she will provide strategic leadership for the School of Medicine's research mission, helping to strengthen collaboration, expand research opportunities, and support faculty success.
New Director of Tufts PA Program
Rosanne Washington, PA-C, Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, has been appointed Program Director of the Tufts Physician Assistant Program, effective August 17, 2026. Washington has been a member of the Tufts community for eight years and most recently served as Director of Didactic Education, where she played a key role in curriculum development, educational innovation, and faculty collaboration. She succeeds Beth Buyea, who is returning to a faculty role after eight years as Program Director. Washington's appointment marks a new chapter for the nationally recognized PA Program as it continues its commitment to excellence in education, student success, and clinical training.
New Senior Director to Lead Development and Alumni Engagement
Mark Zawacki will join Tufts University on September 8 as Senior Director of Development and Alumni Engagement for the School of Medicine. Bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience in nonprofit and higher education advancement, Zawacki most recently served as Senior Vice President of Advancement and Executive Director of the foundation at Heritage Christian Services. In his new role, he will lead efforts to advance the School's strategic priorities through philanthropy and alumni engagement, building relationships with donors, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the School.
New DPT-Boston Director of Graduate Outcomes
The Tufts Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Boston program recently welcomed Thomas Gus Almonroeder, PT, PhD, as Director of Graduate Outcomes. An experienced educator, scholar, and leader in physical therapy education, Dr. Almonroeder will support students throughout their journey, from success in the program and preparation for licensure to thriving as graduates and future physical therapy professionals. We are excited to welcome him to the Tufts DPT community and look forward to the impact he will have on student and graduate success.
Appointment to ARC-PA Commission
Associate Professor Beth Buyea has been selected by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) to serve as a commissioner. This prestigious appointment recognizes her leadership, expertise, and longstanding commitment to advancing PA education and preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals. The ARC-PA is the national accrediting body responsible for setting and maintaining educational standards for physician assistant programs in the U.S. In her role as commissioner, Buyea will help guide accreditation policies and decisions that support excellence, innovation, and accountability in PA education nationwide.
New MD Director of Student Affairs
The MD Office of Student Affairs (OSA) welcomes Peter Krafka, who joined the team on August 17 as the new Director of Student Affairs. In this role, he will oversee a broad portfolio that includes student organization budgets and events, Student Council support, major student programs and ceremonies, Posner Dormitory operations, and a range of financial and administrative processes that support student services. Krafka previously served as Assistant Director of Academic Programs at Northeastern University and will work closely with students, faculty, and staff to support the medical school community.
School News
Cafe Updates Coming Soon
The Cafe on the fourth floor of the Tufts MedEd Building is getting a refresh and being renamed the Bridge Cafe. The updated cafe will feature expanded menu options, grab-and-go selections, a new coffee program, and the introduction of catering services for meetings and events. The cafe will temporarily close beginning August 28 and is expected to reopen September 8.
Apply for 2026-27 Innovate2Impact Cohort
Join a select cohort of innovators for a six-month long program focused on translating health-related research into meaningful impact. The Innovate2Impact (i2i) program provides training, expert mentorship, and valuable networking opportunities to help participants strengthen their innovation pathway. The program culminates in the Impact Launchpad (May 2027, Medford), where selected participants will present their innovations to mentors, innovation leaders, and potential investors. Apply for the Innovate2Impact program by Thursday, October 8.
Request for Applications: Tufts CTSI S-GATS Program
The Tufts CTSI Small Grants to Advance Translational Science (S-GATS) Program is now offering $25,000–$50,000 in direct costs to support innovative studies aimed at improving how discoveries, evidence, tools, methods, and interventions move toward broader use and benefit. The application process begins with a competitive Letter of Intent (LOI), due Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Information sessions will be held on Tuesday, September 1 at 4:00PM and Wednesday, September 9 at 12:00 PM. To register, schedule a required consultation, or ask a question, contact sgats@tuftsmedicine.org.
Research News
Tufts CSDD Marks 50 Years of Impact
The Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development (CSDD) is celebrating its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of influential research that has helped shape pharmaceutical development, clinical trials, and regulatory policy. Since its founding in 1976, CSDD has produced thousands of studies and widely cited data used by industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and regulatory agencies, including the FDA. Through its large-scale empirical research, the center has helped advance more efficient drug development processes, supporting efforts to bring new treatments to patients faster and address unmet medical needs around the world.
Advancing HPV Research and Care
Researchers and clinicians across Tufts University and Tufts Medicine are collaborating on a multidisciplinary effort to advance HPV research, prevention, and care. Led in part by Karl Munger, Dorothy Todd Bishop Research Professor and chair of the Department of Developmental, Molecular & Chemical Biology, the team brings together expertise in clinical care, laboratory science, policy, and communications to address the global impact of HPV-related cancers. Their work is expanding understanding of how the virus causes disease while also exploring strategies to increase vaccination rates, improve screening, and ultimately reduce the burden of HPV-related cancers.
Health Equity in Informal Settlements
A new publication in The Lancet Global Health by Saloni Dev, MD, MPH, and Ramnath Subbaraman, MD, MPH, examines how the lack of legal recognition for urban informal settlements contributes to poor health outcomes for more than one billion people living in these communities worldwide. The authors argue that legal recognition is a critical but underexplored determinant of health and call for expanded research into legal and policy interventions that can improve access to housing, water, sanitation, and other essential services. Their work outlines a new research agenda aimed at advancing health equity in informal settlements across low- and middle-income countries.
Charlton Faculty Research Award Recipients Announced
Three early-career faculty members have been selected to receive the 2026 Charlton Faculty Research Award, which provides $10,000 in support of promising research projects aligned with the TU-TM Research Enterprise's research priorities. The awards support investigators as they generate preliminary data and build toward future external funding. Congratulations to this year's recipients: Aaron S. Mendez, PhD; Isha Agarwal, MD, ScD; and Mohammed Imran Aslam, MD.
Tufts Startup Wins Audience Choice Award at MALSI Day
ClAIrVuE, a Tufts-affiliated startup developing an AI-powered decision-intelligence platform for organ transplant surgery, won the Audience Choice Award at the 19th annual Massachusetts Life Sciences Innovation (MALSI) Day. Based on research led by Srivalleesha Mallidi, associate professor of biomedical engineering at Tufts, the technology is designed to provide surgeons with real-time guidance, safety alerts, and predictions of delayed graft function during kidney transplantation. ClAIrVuE was one of five Tufts-affiliated ventures selected to pitch at the state's premier life sciences startup showcase, highlighting the University's growing impact on innovation and entrepreneurship in health care and biotechnology.
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Dirks A, Do H, Ford M, Getz K. Quantifying vaccine dissemination for uptake comparisons between vaccines. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2026 Dec;22(1):2655516. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2026.2655516. Epub 2026 Apr 13. PMID: 41972600; PMCID: PMC13078191.
Becker C, Sargent J. "What Are You Fighting for?" Working With Couples in Conflict. Fam Process. 2026 Sep;65(3):e70186. doi: 10.1111/famp.70186. PMID: 42595497; PMCID: PMC13473024.
Davis JM, Norwitz ER. Medication Use in Pregnancy/Lactation and Neonates: Threading the Needle. Clin Perinatol. 2026 Sep;53(3):xxi-xxiii. doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2026.06.001. Epub 2026 Jun 26. PMID: 42556991.
Yen E, Singh R. Analgesia, Opioids, and Other Drug Use During Pregnancy and Neonatal Effects. Clin Perinatol. 2026 Sep;53(3):709-725. doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2026.05.006. Epub 2026 Jun 10. PMID: 42556986.
Cutler A, Schwartz D, Bodnar C, Faherty L, Bohnhoff J. Identifying Endocrinology Nurse Practitioners and Physician Associates Using Claims Data. J Nurse Pract. 2026 Sep;22(8):105873. doi: 10.1016/j.nurpra.2026.105873. Epub 2026 Jun 2. PMID: 42327919; PMCID: PMC13278468.
Shader RI, Greenblatt DJ. Question: Why Is My Patient With Breast Cancer Advised That She Can Take Clozapine and Tamoxifen Together Despite Possible Interactions Between the Two? J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2026 Sep-Oct 01;46(5):657-658. doi: 10.1097/JCP.0000000000002209. Epub 2026 Jun 4. PMID: 42246552.
Scudder P, Zhang S, Morken TS, Dammann CEL, Dammann O. Cohort Definition by Gestational Age Does Not Mean Ignoring Birthweight. Acta Paediatr. 2026 Sep;115(9):2032-2033. doi: 10.1111/apa.70604. Epub 2026 May 26. PMID: 42186782; PMCID: PMC13460491.
Welch HJ. Alleviation of lower-extremity venous symptoms with ablation of truncal superficial veins is not dependent upon junctional reflux. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord. 2026 Sep;14(5):102534. doi: 10.1016/j.jvsv.2026.102534. Epub 2026 May 23. PMID: 42177991; PMCID: PMC13285694.
Mou T, Bulczynski E, Greenstone H, Walters S, Doyle G, Rabinowitz J, Wong JB, Paasche-Orlow MK. Patient Decision Aids for Women With Urinary Incontinence: A Systematic Review. Urogynecology (Phila). 2026 Sep 1;32(9):1023-1033. doi: 10.1097/SPV.0000000000001880. PMID: 42165445.
Scudder P, Zhang S, Morken TS, Dammann CEL, Dammann O. Gestational Age-Specific Prevalence of Retinopathy of Prematurity in Very Preterm Infants: An Exploratory Meta-Analysis. Acta Paediatr. 2026 Sep;115(9):1833-1846. doi: 10.1111/apa.70570. Epub 2026 May 4. PMID: 42080845; PMCID: PMC13460926.
Brooks SE, Dammann CEL, Dammann O. Retinopathy of prematurity: Moving beyond oxygen. Early Hum Dev. 2026 Sep;220:106571. doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2026.106571. Epub 2026 Apr 17. PMID: 42034070; PMCID: PMC13487492.
Todua I, Selker HP. Transformative role of AI in primary care: What does it take to control hypertension? Am J Med. 2026 Aug 27:S0002-9343(26)00616-9. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2026.07.048. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42660401.
Harrison GA, Kuhn P, Shrestha S, Caballero Blanco P, Havey L, Shen A. Defining the order of assembly of the Clostridioides difficile divisome complex. J Bacteriol. 2026 Aug 27:e0003226. doi: 10.1128/jb.00032-26. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42658112.
Said C, Natov P, Fozilov K, Islamjon S, Khakimov A, Turliuk DV, Konovalov N, McCarthy J, Iyer M, Schneider PA, Aslam I, Kapur NK. First-in-Human Experience With a Novel Pressure-Controlled, Flow-Regulating Extracorporeal Limb Perfusion Device. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2026 Aug 24;19(16):2271-2273. doi: 10.1016/j.jcin.2026.06.019. PMID: 42637300.
Ford E, Stambaugh C. Academy of QI-Learning Leadership by Quality Improvement. JAMA Oncol. 2026 Aug 20. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2026.2940. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42623043.
Sverdlik A, Ouma S, Dev S, Patil-Deshmukh A, Koyaro M, Luka Z, Subbaraman R. Beyond land tenure and titling: legal recognition as a pivotal determinant of health in urban informal settlements. Lancet Glob Health. 2026 Aug 18:104052. doi: 10.1016/j.langlo.2026.104052. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42612656.
Martin SK, Rasnake MS, Uthlaut B, Wang ES, Williams DM, Kisielewski M, Finn K. Timing, Salary, and Content Delivered During Internal Medicine Residency Program Intern Orientation: Results from a National Survey. J Gen Intern Med. 2026 Aug 17. doi: 10.1007/s11606-026-10694-y. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42608518.
Morgan DJ, Korenstein D, Diekema DJ. Moving From Laboratory to Clinical Metrics for Diagnostic Tests. JAMA Intern Med. 2026 Aug 17. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2026.3784. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42606872.
Lawrence AE, Tan S. Direct bacterial transcript visualization illuminates spatiotemporal environmental adaptation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the lung. Sci Adv. 2026 Aug 14;12(33):eaeb8377. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aeb8377. Epub 2026 Aug 12. PMID: 42585320; PMCID: PMC13464648.
Russell SL, Huang SS, Bird CE, Heyman RE, Saba B, Kang M, Yang C. Strategies to Improve Dental Care Utilization During Pregnancy for Vulnerable Urban Women: The New York University/Bellevue Oral Health Program Experience. Am J Public Health. 2026 Aug 13:e1-e5. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2026.308613. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42594315.
Johnson MA, Khanna R, Mukkavalli S, Nguyen L, Raman M. The p97 adaptor p47/NSFL1C is necessary for stress granule dissolution after heat stress. Open Biol. 2026 Aug 12;16(8):260021. doi: 10.1098/rsob.260021. PMID: 42580732.
Hamami E, Huo W, Neal K, Neisewander I, Shivangi, Freundlich JS, Geisinger E, Isberg RR. Loss of essential outer membrane functions causes drug hypersensitization in Acinetobacter baumannii overexpressing multidrug efflux pumps. mBio. 2026 Aug 12;17(8):e0090226. doi: 10.1128/mbio.00902-26. Epub 2026 Jun 24. PMID: 42339869; PMCID: PMC13463702.
Mou T, Wong JB, Paasche-Orlow MK. Shared decision-making across the urinary incontinence care continuum: implications for patient-centered care. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2026 Aug 11. doi: 10.1097/GCO.0000000000001139. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42572463.
Hedden-Clayton B, Roddy AL, Roddy JK, Ngassa Y, Pickard B, Tam RA, Wurcel AG. An assessment of Correctional Officers' health beliefs in relationship to COVID-19 vaccine uptake and hesitancy. SAGE Open Med. 2026 Aug 10;14:20503121261476907. doi: 10.1177/20503121261476907. PMID: 42582729; PMCID: PMC13458325.
Wong JB, Davis EM, Silverstein M. Imminent Threats to the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2026 Aug 10. doi: 10.1001/jama.2026.14814. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42573993.
Maruthur NM, Ryskina KL, Weerahandi H, Block L, Cordasco KM, Gilliam EA, Kwolek DG, Nelson K, Paasche-Orlow MK, Schwarz EB, Windish DM, Schonberg MA. The Experience of General Internal Medicine Research Fellows and Program Directors: Results from a National Survey. J Gen Intern Med. 2026 Aug 10. doi: 10.1007/s11606-026-10672-4. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42573885.
Ahmed S, McCollin SP, Martí-Carvajal A, Akus M, Baron DW, Abdul Razzaq S, Scudder P, Honigsberg EJ, Nasir S, Peng K, Jahanfar S. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist-based regimens compared with metformin-based regimens for preventing cardiovascular disease in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2026 Aug 10;8(8):CD016380. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD016380. PMID: 42573030; PMCID: PMC13455057.
Sumner EM, Pappaioanou M, Hansen G, Bourgeois J, Lindenmayer J. The Untapped Power of One Health at the Local Level in the United States. Ecohealth. 2026 Aug 6. doi: 10.1007/s10393-026-01826-1. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42560445.
Naseri M, Liu H, Wang L, Mostafa SM, Ranaei Pirmardan E, Tian B, Moore CL. Targeting CPSF73, the mRNA 3' end processing endonuclease, moves cancer cells away from the mesenchymal state. Front Immunol. 2026 Aug 5;17:1912261. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1912261. PMID: 42620604; PMCID: PMC13485574.
White EA. Lightning doesn't strike twice in HPV-positive adenosquamous carcinoma. Trends Cancer. 2026 Aug 4:S2405-8033(26)00160-3. doi: 10.1016/j.trecan.2026.07.004. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42552143.
De Sousa Lima Azevedo C, Siegel M. State Gun Laws and County-Level Firearm-Related Suicide Rates. JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Aug 3;9(8):e2629331. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.29331. PMID: 42611515; PMCID: PMC13487550.
Qian Z, Korn S, Kilbridge KL, Hollenbeck BK, Trinh QD, Zhang J, Cole AP. Rural-Urban Disparities in Contemporary Systemic Therapy for Advanced Prostate Cancer. JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Aug 3;9(8):e2628500. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.28500. PMID: 42579282; PMCID: PMC13463166.
Lee NY, Lee J, Matthan NR, Lamon-Fava S, Wang XD. Phytoene, a Precursor of Lycopene in Tomatoes, Protects Against Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in Mice. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2026 Aug;70(16):e70596. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.70596. PMID: 42634470; PMCID: PMC13501062.
Koehler JL, Harvey QR, Hoffman OR, Clemente Espina JE, Schoenike BA, Jones CPE, Weiss GL, Maguire JL, Roopra AS. A network approach with motion sequencing reveals hidden patterns of repetitive behavior in a pre-clinical model of epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav. 2026 Aug 1;184:111232. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2026.111232. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42542112.
Fleming ST, Cody C, Maxwell C, Gips A, Bloch R. Infant With Large Lesion. Ann Emerg Med. 2026 Aug;88(2):236-237. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2026.02.021. PMID: 42476691.
Chu MT, Fenelon A, Adamkiewicz G, Zota AR. Impact of federal housing assistance on children's blood Lead Levels, NHANES 1999-2016. Environ Epidemiol. 2026 Jun 30;10(4):e503. doi: 10.1097/EE9.0000000000000503. PMID: 42383178; PMCID: PMC13318070.
Schwake CJ, Krueger RM, Chen F, Karim D, Mueller MJ, Desai SA, Beck JR, Hanada T, Chishti AH. Epitope mirroring between the malaria surface proteins PfGARP and PIESP2 identifies a knob-associated complex in infected erythrocytes. J Biol Chem. 2026 Aug;302(8):113291. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2026.113291. Epub 2026 Jun 23. PMID: 42336280; PMCID: PMC13400357.
Wee CC, Li T, Batch BC, Wong JB. Treating Obesity With Pharmacotherapy: Making Sense of the Evolving Science When Data Are Vast but Direct Comparative Evidence Is Sparse. Ann Intern Med. 2026 Aug;179(8):1203-1205. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-26-01972. Epub 2026 Jun 16. PMID: 42296502.
Theoharides TC. Polyphenols for infant allergies: Luteolin and methoxyluteolin may be better candidates owing to their inhibition of mast cell activation. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2026 Aug;158(2):622-623. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2026.04.030. Epub 2026 Jun 12. PMID: 42283654.
Adler D. The Potentially Forgotten Mayor of Chinatown. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2026 Aug;34(8):1093-1094. doi: 10.1016/j.jagp.2026.05.009. Epub 2026 May 13. PMID: 42230268.
Blandino K, He Y, Htet L, Okoudjou F, Lee J, Chinatti M, Ahn K, Lewis M, Gray S, Miczek K, Maguire J. Impact of impaired endogenous neurosteroidogenesis on outcomes following chronic alcohol exposure. Alcohol. 2026 Aug;134:72-86. doi: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2026.04.008. Epub 2026 May 11. PMID: 42119879.
Schreiner G, Duffy T, Driscoll A, Fucaloro S, Bragg J, Salzler M. Lateral Extra-articular Tenodesis is Cost-Effective at the Time of Primary Hamstring Autograft Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in High-Risk Patients. Arthroscopy. 2026 Aug;42(8):1397-1404. doi: 10.1002/arj.70213. Epub 2026 Apr 26. PMID: 42036399.
Lewis O, Srinivasan S, Bayly R, Cordes J, Shrestha S, O'Reilly MR, Kimmel SD, Walley AY, Babakhanlou-Chase H, Stopka TJ. Corrigendum to "Filling in the gaps: A geospatial approach to optimizing placement of methadone clinics in Massachusetts" [Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment, 181 (2026) 209848]. J Subst Use Addict Treat. 2026 Aug;187:209969. doi: 10.1016/j.josat.2026.209969. Epub 2026 Apr 19. Erratum for: J Subst Use Addict Treat. 2026 Feb;181:209848. doi: 10.1016/j.josat.2025.209848. PMID: 42002453.
Driscoll A, Griffin S, Schreiner G, Fucaloro S, Krivicich L, Salzler M. Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections for the Treatment of Rotator Cuff Pathology Have Higher Complication Rates of Adhesive Capsulitis than Alternative Injectable Therapies: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Arthroscopy. 2026 Aug;42(8):1421-1433. doi: 10.1002/arj.70163. Epub 2026 Apr 7. PMID: 41946449.
Recent Events
MBS Students Begin Their Tufts Journey
On August 13, Tufts University School of Medicine welcomed 149 new students to campus for Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) Program Orientation. Students heard from Dean Helen Boucher and connected with faculty, staff, and classmates while learning about the resources, opportunities, and support available to help them succeed. We are excited to welcome this talented cohort to the Tufts community and look forward to all they will accomplish in the year ahead.
On Saturday, August 15, Tufts School of Medicine celebrated the White Coat Ceremony for the MD Class of 2030, a milestone that marks the beginning of their medical careers. Each student received their white coat, a symbol of the trust, responsibility, and compassion that define the physician’s role.
Tufts Leadership Visits Seattle
On August 20, Tufts University President Sunil Kumar, Dean Helen Boucher, and university leaders visited the Tufts University School of Medicine DPT-Seattle campus to learn more about the program’s impact and connect with faculty and staff. The visit concluded with a vibrant alumni event that welcomed 80 attendees, marking a record turnout for a Seattle-area Tufts gathering. A highlight of the evening was a conversation between President Kumar and Seattle Storm Head Coach Sonia Raman, J96, on leadership and organizational success. The event showcased the continued growth of the DPT-Seattle program and the strength of the Tufts community throughout the Pacific Northwest.
On August 23, the Tufts DPT-Boston Class of 2026 came together with faculty, family, and friends for a graduation reception celebrating the culmination of their academic journey. The event recognized the graduates’ years of academic achievement, clinical training, and commitment to the physical therapy profession as they prepare to begin the next chapter of their careers.