Mehret Birru Talabi, MD, PhD, Receives 2026 Health Sciences Ascending Star Award

The annual Ascending Star Awards and lecture series showcase research by highly productive, creative mid-career faculty members at the University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences. Selection is based on a nomination from a faculty member and a supporting letter from a senior faculty member — either from the nominee’s department, a collaborator, or an affiliated center or institute — highlighting the nominee’s innovation, impact, mentoring, service, and collegiality.

Mehret Birru Talabi, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine, UPMC Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, and assistant dean for the Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine, was one of five awardees to each receive a $25,000 award and the opportunity to give a research talk.

“The selection of only a few mid-career faculty members to receive this award from among more than 30 outstanding nominees was a genuine challenge and shed light on the tremendous breadth and depth of scientific achievement, innovation, and impact we have here at Pitt,” says Anantha Shekar, MD, PhD, senior vice chancellor, Health Sciences, and John and Gertrude Petersen Dean, School of Medicine.

Dr. Talabi’s presentation on Aug. 20 was titled, “From Framework to Practice: A Research Agenda for Sexual and Reproductive Health in Rheumatology,” and explored the need for a more rigorous approach to understanding and addressing reproductive health across the lives of people with autoimmune and chronic diseases. Her talk examined the factors that contribute to adverse outcomes, as well as the tools, training, and care pathways needed to better support patients and providers.