Director, Center for Translational and International Hematology
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Diversity Advisory Council

Research Interest

Dr. Ofori-Acquah has a research interest in molecular hematology, endothelial barrier function, sickle cell disease (SCD) and global health. His basic science research is on mechanisms of neutralizing erythroid danger associated molecular pattern (eDAMP) molecules. This work encompasses studies of developmental, genetic and epigenetic regulation of hemopexin and heme oxygenase-1, the key neutralizing molecules of extracellular heme the prototypical eDAMP. His basic research is translated to understanding the role and mechanism of extracellular heme in the pathobiology of vascular complications in SCD. A major translational focus is acute chest syndrome, the leading cause of premature death in SCD. The Ofori-Acquah lab developed the first mouse model of acute chest syndrome. This preclinical model is currently being used to find targeted therapies for acute chest syndrome. His global health research is centered on a longitudinal observational study of a large newborn cohort in Ghana to define markers of end-organ damage in SCD. Additional global health work focused also on SCD is performed under the auspices of the H3Africa consortium with a multi-disciplinary team of collaborators in Cameroon, Tanzania and South Africa. Dr. Ofori-Acquah directs a research education NIH funded R25 program aimed at catalyzing the training of graduates, postdocs and junior faculty in blood science research. He is Visiting Professor and Director of a Human Genetics graduate course in a Wellcome Trust funded DELTAS (Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training and Science) program at the University of Ghana in collaboration with the Pitt Graduate School of Public Health.