Innovation Spotlight: Empowering Feinberg's Unsung Heroes

This story was published in the September 2025 issue of The Philanthropist, a newsletter for supporters and friends of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. View our publications here.

Each day, our faculty, students, and trainees at Feinberg dedicate time to innovate new ideas and programs that will move the needle in medicine and science. Here, we spotlight some of the exciting work that often happens behind the scenes and beyond daily clinical care.

Thank you to all the donors who contribute to these efforts, now and in the future. Your philanthropy fuels these projects and programs—enabling their very existence and empowering them to grow for the benefit of patients today and tomorrow.

Investigating the Gut, Weight,
and Energy Relationship

Lisa R. Beutler, MD, PhD, assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Molecular Medicine, explores the intricate communication between the gut and the brain in regulating body weight and energy balance. A leading physician-scientist in this field, Dr. Beutler investigates how disruptions in this gut-brain axis contribute to metabolic diseases such as obesity. Her lab employs advanced techniques—including optogenetics, chemogenetics, behavioral analysis, and calcium imaging in genetically modified mice—to dissect the neural circuits and molecular pathways involved. This work aims to uncover novel therapeutic targets for treating disorders of energy homeostasis and metabolic dysfunction.

For more information on supporting the efforts above, contact Kathleen Praznowski at 312-503-0762 or kathleen.praznowski@northwestern.edu.

Bringing Nanotechnologies to
Cancer Clinics

Adam Y. Lin, MD, PhD, assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Oncology, is at the forefront of integrating advanced technologies into personalized cancer care. Through his leadership of his Nanotechnology and Biomaterials Lab for Blood Cancer, Dr. Lin is pioneering the translation of nanotechnologies into clinical applications that promise to transform the treatment landscape for hematologic malignancies. His research focuses on tailoring innovative nanotherapies to enhance CAR T-cell treatments, lymphoma interventions, and stem cell transplantation to the unique needs of individual patients. By refining translatable technologies to address clinical challenges that his patients encounter, Dr. Lin is driving forward a new era of personalized medicine in blood cancer care, offering hope for more effective and targeted treatment strategies.

For more information on supporting the efforts above, contact Terri Dillon at 312-503-4837 or terri.dillon@northwestern.edu.

Unlocking the Neuroscience of Survival Behaviors

Hao Li, PhD, assistant professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and of Neuroscience, is focused on uncovering the neural mechanisms that govern motivated behaviors—those related to basic survival needs or psychological desires—and emotional regulation. The Li Lab investigates how slow-acting chemical messengers called neuropeptides modulate emotional states over time, particularly in the context of stress, addiction, and mental health disorders. One major area of his research explores how disruptions in valence processing, which is the brain’s ability to evaluate experiences as positive or negative, contribute to psychiatric conditions. Another key focus is understanding individual differences in addiction vulnerability, especially how aversive responses to substances like nicotine or alcohol can either protect against or contribute to substance use disorders. By identifying the molecular and circuit-level signatures of these processes, Dr. Li aims to inform the development of more effective, personalized treatments for mental health challenges.

For more information on supporting the efforts above, contact Eric Fragoules at 312-503-4565 or eric.fragoules@northwestern.edu.

Designing Support Tools for Young Patients with Cancer

Alexandra M. Psihogios, PhD, assistant professor of Medical Social Sciences, is leading transformative research to improve cancer outcomes for adolescents and young adults (AYAs). Her work addresses a critical challenge: helping young patients adhere to complex oral chemotherapy regimens, especially for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, where missed doses can significantly increase relapse risk. With a strong focus on health equity, Dr. Psihogios designs digital health tools that are not only evidence-based but also deeply informed by the lived experiences of patients and families. From mobile apps that deliver real-time, personalized support to cancer survivors using social media for peer-to-peer engagement, her research is reshaping how we support young people through cancer treatment. Her work is advancing more equitable, accessible, and effective care for adolescents and young adults who are managing cancer and survivorship.

For more information on supporting the efforts above, contact Dave McCreery at 312-503-6099 or david.mccreery@northwestern.edu.