Noted Pathologist Will Lead Cedars-Sinai Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

David Engman, MD, PhD, Has Conducted Significant Research Into Cardiac Parasitic Infections and Mentored Numerous Scientists and Physicians

Contact: Soshea Leibler | Email: soshea.leibler@cshs.org

Los Angeles - Dec. 16, 2015 - David M. Engman, MD, PhD, a molecular genetic pathologist who has conducted groundbreaking research into parasitic diseases and mentored numerous scientists and physicians during his career, has been appointed chair of Cedars-Sinai's Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

Engman is currently professor of Pathology and Microbiology-Immunology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Previously, he was medical director of the Molecular Genetics Laboratory and the Diagnostic Molecular Biology Laboratory at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He also was head of the hospital's Division of Diagnostic Molecular Biology in the Department of Pathology.

Engman's research has focused on the molecular origins of Chagas heart disease, a parasitic infection affecting millions throughout South and Central America. He also has conducted basic and applied research on African sleeping sickness, an infection found throughout sub-Saharan Africa. His Northwestern laboratory has developed a clinical-translational research program focused on improving the molecular diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Engman also has dedicated much of his career to the cultivation of scientists and physicians, particularly women and others who are underrepresented in science and medicine. For 17 years, he served as director of the Medical Scientist Training (MD-PhD) Program at the Feinberg medical school, tripling the number of students during that time. He has mentored more than 90 students in his own research laboratory and more than 200 MD-PhD students. He was voted Mentor of the Year at the Feinberg medical school in 2015.

"Dr. Engman brings a wealth of experience in molecular pathology, which is becoming increasingly important as we employ subcellular markers to diagnose and treat disease, especially as we expand our precision health program," said Shlomo Melmed, MD, executive vice president of Academic Affairs and dean of the faculty at Cedars-Sinai.

"He's also a master teacher who has mentored hundreds of students, residents and fellows, and nurtured their academic training and career development," Melmed added. "We are delighted that he will be leading our Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and look forward to his system-wide enrichment to our clinical and academic mission."

Engman was elected president of the National Association of MD-PhD Programs in 2007. He was named president of the American Association of University Pathologists in 2013. Engman has amassed numerous honors, including the Amgen Outstanding Investigator Award from the American Society for Investigative Pathology.

Engman said he finds the "talent, energy and dedication" of Cedars-Sinai's faculty inspirational, adding that he looks forward to helping his colleagues advance the institution's clinical, research and education missions.

"I am excited to join the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Cedars-Sinai," Engman said. "The department has a national reputation of excellence in diagnostic medicine, and my goal is to further enhance this clinical reputation while simultaneously building scholarship at all levels."

Engman earned his medical and doctoral degrees from the University of Iowa's Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine. He completed his residency in clinical pathology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and has been a member of the hospital's faculty since 2000.

"We are delighted to welcome David Engman to our faculty," said Bruce Gewertz, MD, Cedars-Sinai's surgeon-in-chief, vice president of Interventional Services and vice dean for Academic Affairs. "He has enjoyed a distinguished career as a scientist and is recognized as one of the country's most dynamic mentors of graduate students and medical students. I am certain he will bring energy and vision to an already outstanding pathology department."