In 2019, Dr. Fred P. Sanfilippo, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Professor of Health Policy and Management, and Director of the Emory-Georgia Tech Healthcare Innovation Program at the Emory University School of Medicine (Atlanta, GA), provided a financial gift to the ASIP to establish and endow the Fred Sanfilippo-ASIP Visiting Lectureship Program. This program provides funding for ASIP members who are in the early stages of their academic careers to travel and visit other departments/institutions to give one or more research presentations as a distinguished visiting lecturer. The primary goal of this program is to provide exposure of promising young faculty to members of the larger pathobiology research community, increasing their national recognition and reputation.
Dr. Sanfilippo is a long-time member of the ASIP, beginning as a resident-trainee in 1977 and has served the Society in several roles including as ASIP President (2002–2003). Most recently, he received the 2025 ASIP Gold-Headed Cane Award at Pathobiology 2025 in Portland, OR—with the focus of his lecture on mentorship in career development.
Four ASIP members have been selected to receive the 2025 Fred Sanfilippo-ASIP Visiting Lectureship: Drs. Evan Delgado, Nidhi Jalan-Sakrikar, Ramon Bossardi Ramos, and Menglu Yang.
Evan Delgado, PhD
Dr. Evan Delgado is an Assistant Professor of Pathology in the Division of Experimental Pathology at the University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA). He earned his PhD in cellular and molecular pathology from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Delgado’s overall goal is to challenge the unmet need of effective targeted therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) by innovating a patient derived xenograft model that streamlines preclinical drug development in the immune oncology space. His recent research has demonstrated the involvement of IQGAP1, a scaffold protein, and its role in hepatocellular biology. He has found that IQGAP1 promotes YAP1 signaling in early stage HCC.
Nidhi Jalan-Sakrikar, PhD
Dr. Nidhi Jalan-Sakrikar is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN). She earned her PhD in molecular physiology and biophysics from Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN). Dr. Jalan-Sakrikar’s research is centered on liver regenerative medicine, inflammation, and fibrosis, with a particular focus on elucidating the immunological mechanisms underlying liver diseases such as Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC).
Ramon Bossardi Ramos, PhD
Dr. Ramon Bossardi Ramos is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and the Bioinformatics Core Director at Albany Medical College (Albany, NY). He earned his PhD in endocrinology at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (Porto Alegre, Brazil). Dr. Bossardi Ramos’ research focus is investigating the intricate interplay between endothelial dysfunction and epigenetics, using molecular biology and bioinformatics to elucidate the long-term effects of inflammation.
Menglu Yang, MD, PhD
Dr. Menglu Yang is an Investigator at Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye & Ear and Instructor in Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School (Boston, MA). She earned both her MD in clinical medicine and PhD in ophthalmology from Peking University (Beijing, China). Dr. Yang’s research interests lie in the resolution of inflammation and the regeneration of cornea nerves. Her current research is focused on the mechanism of electrical stimulation-nerve regeneration in diabetic keratopathy.
These new recipients were announced during the business meeting at Pathobiology 2025 in Portland, OR (April 2025). We look forward to hearing about their institutional visits and follow how the experience impacts their careers long-term.
