Department of Medicine Secures Major NIH Grants to Advance Liver Disease, Lupus, Digestive & Pulmonary Research

The MUSC Department of Medicine is celebrating a wave of prestigious NIH funding that will propel discovery in key areas of research, including liver disease detection, lupus genetics, digestive health, and pulmonary care. New R01 grants awarded to Drs. Andrew Schreiner and Betty Tsao, along with renewed support for the Digestive Disease Research Core Center and vital training programs, underscore the Department’s leadership in driving innovation, fostering mentorship, and advancing translational science.

Dr. Andrew Schreiner Awarded NIH R01 to Advance Liver Disease Detection in Primary Care

Andrew Schreiner, M.D., has received a prestigious NIH R01 grant to support his innovative research on improving early detection of liver disease in everyday clinical settings.

The project, titled “Advanced Fibrosis Detection and a Predictive Diagnostic Model for Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) in Primary Care,” addresses a critical gap in primary care detection: the widespread underdiagnosis of MASLD, a condition closely tied to obesity, diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction.

Dr. Schreiner’s study takes a bold, systems-level approach. His team will test a new non-intrusive electronic health record (EHR) alert designed to flag patients at risk for advanced fibrosis due to MASLD. The alert will be rolled out using a stepped wedge, cluster randomized design across multiple primary care practices, ensuring rigorous evaluation while minimizing workflow disruption for clinicians.

In tandem, the project will develop and validate a predictive diagnostic model to help identify MASLD in patients without any known liver disease. This means primary care providers could one day detect and intervene in liver disease before it silently progresses, potentially improving outcomes for millions.

By generating real-world, scalable data, Dr. Schreiner’s work has the potential to transform MASLD diagnosis and management—making it faster, smarter, and more accessible across healthcare systems.

Dr. Betty Tsao Receives NIH R01 to Unlock Genetic Clues Behind Rare Forms of Lupus

Betty Tsao, Ph.D., received a new NIH R01 grant for her study entitled “Identify Rare Pathogenic Variants and their Functional Consequences in SLE.” This work focuses on one of the most elusive corners of lupus research: monogenic lupus—a rare, often severe form of the disease caused by a single faulty gene.

While most lupus cases involve a complex mix of hundreds of genetic risk factors, a small group of patients—especially those with familial or childhood-onset lupus—may develop the disease due to a single gene mutation. These cases are rare but powerful: understanding them can offer unique insight into how lupus works on a fundamental level.

Dr. Tsao’s project aims to identify new, rare genetic variants responsible for monogenic lupus and investigate how these mutations affect immune function. So far, scientists have identified around 40 monogenic causes of lupus. Expanding that list could lead to a deeper understanding of lupus overall and may one day help drive the creation of more targeted and effective treatments.

This research brings an important step forward in untangling the genetic roots of this complex autoimmune disease, revealing novel targets for therapeutic intervention.

Alongside the two new R01 awards, the Department of Medicine has received renewals for the following three major grants:

• Silvio O. Conte Digestive Diseases Research Core Center (P30): Led by Don Rockey, M.D., this highly competitive NIH grant was successfully renewed to continue supporting MUSC’s Digestive Disease Research Core Center (DDRCC)—one of only 17 such centers in the United States. The DDRCC drives discovery through its Biomedical Research Cores, Pilot and Feasibility Program, and an active Enrichment Program, all designed to empower early-career investigators. With 34 full members and nearly $35 million in annual digestive disease research funding, the center is a national leader in advancing digestive and liver disease research.

• MUSC Mentoring Program in Digestive and Liver Diseases (UE5): Also led by Dr. Rockey, this program received its third year of funding from the NIH/NIDDK. It supports mentoring and development for researchers in digestive and liver diseases.

• Training Grant in Pulmonary & Critical Care (T32): Principal investigator Carol Feghali-Bostwick, Ph.D., led the successful renewal of the division’s NIH-funded Pulmonary Focused Foundations in Innovations and Scholarship (PUFFINS) T-32 Training Grant for five years. This program prepares future leaders in pulmonary research through two key pathways—basic and clinical science—with a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation. Trainees engage in research spanning from bench to bedside, targeting lung cancer, critical care, and rare lung diseases, while gaining hands-on experience in the full “Cycle of Innovation.”

These NIH awards highlight the vision and dedication of our faculty, driving discoveries that improve care today while shaping the future of medicine. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and the impact they bring to MUSC’s mission of advancing health.