Silvia Vilarinho, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine (digestive diseases) and of pathology; and associate director, Yale MD/PhD Program, has been appointed associate director of the Yale Internal Medicine Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP).
“I am thrilled to join the PSTP leadership team to recruit and retain a diverse and creative group of talented physician-scientists to Yale Internal Medicine. I look forward to contributing to create an outstanding environment to train and motivate the next generation of physician-scientists,” said Vilarinho.
Vilarinho is a physician-scientist who uses genetics, genomics, and human samples to investigate the molecular basis of various liver diseases of unknown etiology. Her lab, based in the Yale Liver Center, has identified several novel liver genetic diseases. Their research goal is to discover new genes important in liver function both in health and disease and to use cell biology and animal models to determine the specific mechanism(s) linking mutant gene to disease, with potential diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic applications.
She completed her MD/PhD at the University of Porto, Portugal, while pursuing her doctoral research at the University of California, San Francisco. She entered residency in the Physician-Scientist Pathway, initially at the University of Minnesota and later at Yale School of Medicine’s Department of Internal Medicine, where she also completed her fellowship in Digestive Diseases. She is committed to training physician scientists, supervising many MD/PhD, PhD and MD students.
PSTP Director Charles S. Dela Cruz, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine (pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine) and of microbial pathogenesis; vice chief, Basic and Translational Research, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine; director, Center of Pulmonary Infection Research and Treatment (CPIRT); and PSTP alumnus is excited that PSTP alumnus Vilarinho is joining the program leadership.
“Dr. Vilarinho was chosen for this role because she exemplified a great example of a physician-scientist-mentor, given her outstanding research, strong clinical skills, and successful mentorship in her leadership roles at the School of Medicine,” he said. “I am excited to work with her and the residency and fellowship leadership group to recruit and foster the development of future physician-scientist leaders.”
The Department of Internal Medicine at Yale is among the nation's premier departments, bringing together an elite cadre of clinicians, investigators, educators, and staff in one of the world's top medical schools. To learn more, visit Internal Medicine.