Pitt Pediatrics congratulates Deirdre S. Nolfi-Donegan, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Hematology-Oncology, on receipt of a National Institutes of Health (NIH) K08 Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award.
This award will fund Nolfi-Donegan's research to determine how hemoglobin released by hemolysis synergizes with high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) to potentiate platelet thrombotic function in sickle cell disease (SCD). The research is expected to lead to targeted anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant therapies for the treatment and prevention of SCD-related platelet activation.
Nolfi-Donegan is mentored by Cheryl A. Hillery, MD, professor of pediatrics, and Sruti Shiva, PhD, professor and vice chair for academics and equity at Pitt's Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology.
The grant, 1K08HL155488-01A1, provides total financial support of $128,156 through January 31, 2027.