Friday Frontiers seminar features DOM Chair Dr. Liao, new Neurosurgery chair

[Dr. James Liao presenting 02.09.24 on ‘Rho-associated Kinase (ROCK) as a Therapeutic Target for Fibrotic Diseases’ at Friday Frontiers in Biomedical Science seminar at University of Arizona’s BIO5 Institute.] James K. Liao, MD, FACP, FACC, chair of the Department of Medicine, and Julie G. Pilitsis, MD, PhD, MBA, new Department of Neurosurgery chair, headlined the Friday Frontiers in Biomedical Science seminar held Feb. 9 at the BIO5 Institute in Room 103 of the Keating Bioresearch Building.

See the video as well as a mini-photo gallery below.

Dr. Liao’s topic was “Rho-associated Kinase (ROCK) as a Therapeutic Target for Fibrotic Diseases.” He also is the Robert S. and Irene Flinn Endowed Professor in Medicine and a member of the Sarver Heart Center and Graduate Faculty at the UArizona. Dr. Liao joined the College of Medicine – Tucson faculty in January 2023, coming from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine where he was chief of the Section of Cardiology, the Harold Hines Jr. Professor of Medicine, and the director of Cardiovascular Research and Physician Scientist Development Program as well as medical director of UChicago’s Heart and Vascular Center. His past and current research funding from all sources, including the National Institutes of Health, is more than $24.5 million, and he has been awarded six patents. He has authored or co-authored 13 textbook chapters and more than 250 peer-reviewed articles – and is frequently asked to present at national and international conferences.

Dr. Pilitsis’ topic was “Neuromodulation: On the Cutting Edge of Research.” She also is the Physician Executive for Functional Neurosurgery for Banner Health System. Dr. Pilitsis joined the faculty at the College of Medicine – Tucson in January, coming from Florida Atlantic University. At FAU, she served as dean of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs strategic initiatives as well as leader of the FAU Health Network initiative. With over 250 journal articles, five textbooks, and numerous book chapters published, she maintains an NIH sponsored research program focused on device optimization for neuromodulation with three active grants. In 2023, Dr. Pilitsis was president of the North American Neuromodulation Society and this year becomes president of the American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (2024-26).

Both were introduced by Bekir Tanriover, MD, MPH, MBA, FAST, chief of the Division of Nephrology in the Department of Medicine.