The School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University has welcomed a diverse group of new faculty members this semester. Each brings unique expertise and a commitment to advancing research and education in their respective fields. Here’s an introduction to some of these new faculty members.
New Faculty at the School of Medicine
Dr. Kate Weber
Position: Assistant Professor and Faculty Director, AI in Medical Education
Dr. Weber obtained her PhD from the University of Michigan School of Medicine in 2024. Her research focuses on natural language processing in healthcare, with an emphasis on developing AI curriculum for medical professionals.
- Previous experience at University of Michigan Schools of Medicine and Dentistry.
- Research on substance use disorder detection.
Dr. Marissa Scavuzzo
Position: Assistant Professor, Institute for Glial Sciences, Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences
Originally from Houston, Dr. Scavuzzo earned her undergraduate degrees in neuroscience and biology. She received her PhD in developmental biology from Baylor College of Medicine, where she researched endocrine development using mouse models.
- Focus on enteric glial biology.
- Advocates for equity and open science.
Dr. Pauline Terebuh
Position: Assistant Professor, Center for Artificial Intelligence in Drug Discovery
Dr. Terebuh specializes in infectious disease epidemiology. She holds degrees from the University of Michigan, UC Berkeley, and Stanford University.
- Researches bioinformatics and electronic health records.
- Teaches population health and public health history courses.
Dr. Rui Cao
Position: Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Cao earned his PhD from the University of Virginia and focuses on improving biomedical imaging techniques. His research aims to enhance diagnostic accuracy for neuroimaging and early cancer detection.
- Develops innovative imaging methods using deep learning techniques.
- Excited about collaborations across engineering and medical disciplines.
Dr. Zhenxiang Gao
Position: Research Assistant Professor, Center for Artificial Intelligence in Drug Discovery
Dr. Gao completed his PhD in computer science and his research revolves around AI frameworks for drug discovery. He focuses on repurposing FDA-approved drugs for complex diseases.
- Integrates AI technology with clinical research.
- Aims to enhance therapeutic strategies for various diseases.
Dr. Ben Clayton
Position: Assistant Professor, Institute for Glial Sciences, Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences
Dr. Clayton holds a biology degree from the University of Utah and has conducted research on stress responses in glial cells. He aims to understand and potentially manipulate glial biology for health improvements.
- Trains both graduate and undergraduate students.
- Focuses on therapies that alter glial cell functions.
Dr. Chinyere Iweka
Position: Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology
Dr. Iweka’s research focuses on aging, circadian biology, and immune function, drawing from her diverse academic background in biology and biotechnology.
- Committed to promoting healthy aging through research and mentoring.
Dr. Fang Chen
Position: Assistant Professor, Pharmacology, Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Chen specializes in materials science for biomedical applications. Her innovative approaches aim to improve health outcomes, particularly in ophthalmology.
- Researches drug delivery systems and cell therapies.
- Advocates collaborations in medical imaging and biomaterials.
Dr. Damian Junk
Position: Assistant Professor, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
Dr. Junk is experienced in cancer biology, focusing on education and training for young learners in the field of cancer research.
- Provides mentorship for students interested in biomedical research.
- Facilitates educational programs at Case Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Conclusion
The addition of these faculty members brings fresh perspectives and expertise to the School of Medicine. Their diverse backgrounds in AI, pharmacology, biomedical engineering, and neuroscience contribute to a vibrant educational environment at Case Western Reserve University.
