Department of Medicine
Faculty Profiles by Division

Department of Medicine

Faculty Profiles
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photo Solomon F Ofori-Acquah, PhD

Hematology/Oncology

Tenured Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology

Director, Center for Translational and International Hematology

Associate Professor, Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health

Email: sfo2@pitt.edu

Phone: 412-648-9231
Contact
Office: 200 Lothrop Street
BST E1252
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
 
Phone: 412-648-9231
Fax: 412-648-5980
E-mail: sfo2@pitt.edu
Administrative Assistant:
Kathy Brickett
Address: 200 Lothrop Street; BST E1240
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Email: brickettk@upmc.edu
Phone: 412-624-3239
Fax: 412-648-5980
Education and Training
Education
PhD, University of London, King's College School of Medicine and Denstistry, 2000
MSc, University of London, Birkbeck College, 1992
Training
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Sickle Cell Scholar, University of South Alabama, 2000
Pediatric Executive Program, Emory University School of Medicine, 2008
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.
Publications
For my complete bibliography, Click Here.
Selected Publications:
Benneh-Akwasi Kuma A, Owusu-Ansah AT, Ampoma MA, Sey F, Olayemi E, Nouraie M, Ofori-Acquah SF. Prevalence of relative systemic hypertension in adults with sickle cell disease in Ghana. PLoS One. 2018; 13(1): e0190347.
Ghosh S, Hazra R, Ihunnah CA, Weidert F, Flage B, ofori-Acquah SF. Augmented NRF2 activation protects adult sickle mice from lethal acute chest sydrome. British Journal of Haematology. 2018; 182(2): 271-275.
Charrin E, Dube JJ, Connes P, Pialous V, Ghos S, Faes C, Ofori-Acquah SF, Martin C. Moderate exercise training decreases inflammation in transgenic sickle cell mice. Blood Cells, Molecules and Disease. 2018; 69: 45-52.
Walker AL, Ofori-Acquah SF. Sustained enhancement of OCTN1 transporter expression in association with hydroxyurea induced v-globin expression in erythroid progenitors. Experimental Hematology. 2017; 45: 69-73.
Makani J, Ofori-Acquah SF, tluway F, Mulder N, Wonkam A. Sickle Cell Disease: tipping the balance of genomic research to catalyse discoveries in Africa. Lancet. 2017; 389(10087): 2355-2358.
Charrin E, Ofori-Acquah SF, Nader E, Skinner S, Connes P, Pialous V, Joly P, Martin C. Inflammatory and oxidative stress phenotypes in transgenic sickle cell mice. Blood Cells, Molecules and Disease. 2016; 62: 13-21.
Lei J, Benson B, Tran H, Ofori-Acquah SF, Gupta. Comparative Analysis of Pain Behaviours in Humanized Mouse Models of Sickle Cell Anemia. PLoS One. 2016; 11(8): e0160608.
Mulder N, Nembaware V, Adekile A, Anie K, Inusa B, Brown B, Campbell A, Chinenere F, Cuda-Llyoka C, Kamga KK, Knight-Madden J, Lopez-Sall P, Mbiyavanga M, Munube D, Nirenberg D, Nnodu O, Ofori-Acquah SF, Ohene-Frempong K, Opap KB, Panji S. Proceedings of a Sickle Cell Disease Ontology Workshop - Towards the First Comprehensive Ontology for Sickle Cell Disease. Applied and Translational Genomics. 2016; 9: 23-9.
Ghosh S, Ihunnah CA, Hazra R, Walker AL, Hansen JM, Archer DR, Owusu-Ansah AT, Ofori-Acquah SF. Nonhematopoietic Nrf2 dominantly impedes adult progression of sickle cell anemia in mice. Journal for Clinical Investigation. 2016; 1(4).
Tan F, Ghosh S, Mosunjac M, Manci E, Ofori-Acquah SF. Original Research: Diametric effects of hypoxia on pathophysiology of sickle cell disease in murine model. Experimental Biology and Medicine. 2016; 241(7): 766-71.
Sponsored Research/Activities
Title: Heme-Oxygenase-1 Infusion Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding Agency: Shire
Grant Number: RES
Start Year: 2017
End Year: 2022
Title: Pittsburgh Intensive Training in Hematology Research (PITHR)
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding Agency: National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute
Grant Number: R25 HL128640
Start Year: 2015
End Year: 2020
Title: Pittsburgh HIV Mentored Training for Investigation of Co-morbidities and Cure (HIV MeTrICC)
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Funding Agency: National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute
Grant Number: K12 HL143886
Start Year: 2018
End Year: 2023
Title: Pittsburgh HIV Mentored Training for Investigation of Co-morbidities and Cure (HIV MeTrICC)
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Funding Agency: National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute
Grant Number: K12 HL143886
Start Year: 2018
End Year: 2023
Title: Pittsburgh Undergraduate Research Diversity Program (PURDIP)
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Funding Agency: National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute
Grant Number: R25 HL130600
Start Year: 2016
End Year: 2021
Title: Pulmonary Arteriole Occlusion by Platelet-Neutrophil Micro-Emboli in Acute Chest Syndrome
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding Agency: National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute
Grant Number: R01 HL128297
Start Year: 2015
End Year: 2021
Title: Pulmonary Arteriole Occlusion by Platelet-Neutrophil Micro-Emboli in Acute Chest Syndrome
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding Agency: National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute
Grant Number: R01 HL128297
Start Year: 2015
End Year: 2020
Notable Achievements
Young Investigator of the Year, British Society for Hematology, 1997
Traveling Research Fellow, Wellcome Trust UK, 2000
Center Scholar, University of South Alabama Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, 2000-2003
Carl Storm Underrepresented Minority Fellow, Gordon Research Conference, 2005
Scholar, Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, 1997
President, Ghana Biomedical Convention, 2012
Scholar, Vascular Medicine Institute, 2013

Division Websites

Cardiology

Endocrinology and Metabolism

Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

General Internal Medicine

Geriatric Medicine
Hematology/Oncology

Infectious Diseases

Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine

Renal-Electrolyte

Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology

Contact

Department of Medicine
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3550 Terrace Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Email:  chairoff@pitt.edu
Phone:  412-648-9636
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