Department NIH Ranking Ascends to #4 in 2025
Our department earned the #4 spot among all NIH-funded anesthesiology departments in the nation, up from #6 in 2024.
Research News
Research & Innovation News |
Dr. Brad Taylor Receives NIH R01 Award to Investigate Brain Circuits of Pain Modulation by Neuropeptides
The grant, titled "A Parabrachial Hub for the Prioritization of Pain and Other Survival Behaviors," will support Dr. Taylor's continued investigation into how the brain naturally modulates pain in response to competing survival needs.
Seed Grants Fuel Pain Research Innovations by Postdoctoral Scholars
Our department has awarded research seed grants to T32 postdoctoral scholars Sarah Margerison, PhD, and Jim Wherry, PhD, who are both pursuing innovative approaches to understanding and treating pain conditions.
Dr. Siamak Salavatian Wins PUNCH Award for AI-Driven Neuromodulation Study
Siamak Salavatian, MEng, PhD, has been named a winner of a Phase 1 award in the University of Pittsburgh Un-Challenge (PUnCh) competition.
Dr. Siamak Salavatian to Present Cardiac Neuromodulation Research at NANS 2026
Siamak Salavatian, MEng, PhD, will present two sessions on cardiac neuromodulation at the North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS) annual meeting, January 23-25, 2026, in Las Vegas.
Taylor Lab Contributes to Nature Study on Brain Mechanisms that Prioritize Survival Over Pain
The lab was a key contributor to a multi-institutional study that sheds light on how the brain prioritizes critical survival behaviors over pain and was recently published in Nature, one of the world's most-read academic journals.
Dr. Elizabeth Leimer Receives FAER Mentored Research Training Grant
Dr. Leimer’s project will investigate how specific brainstem circuits may contribute to the development and persistence of chronic low back pain, a condition affecting over 600 million people globally and the leading cause of years lived with disability.
Dr. Jacques Chelly Leads Study Linking Aromatherapy to Reduced Postsurgical Opioid Use
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette spotlighted work led by Jacques E. Chelly, MD, PhD, MBA, showing that preoperative aromatherapy significantly reduced anxiety and halved opioid use in hip replacement patients, highlighting scent as a promising tool in multimodal pain and anxiety management.
Dr. Keith Vogt and Derrick Liu Win Top Abstract Awards at ISAP Annual Meeting
Dr. Vogt and Derrick received the first place and second place abstract awards, respectively, at the International Society for Anaesthetic Pharmacology (ISAP) 34th Annual Meeting on Friday, October 10, 2025, in San Antonio.
Dr. Keith Vogt Honored with Allen Humphrey Excellence in Medical Student Research Mentoring Award
Dr. Vogt was chosen for the award, which recognizes exemplary commitment to student research mentorship, from a pool of more than 100 faculty mentors who supported students through the Dean’s Summer Research Program.