How Genetic and Environmental Factors Impact Risk of Orofacial Clefts in the Philippines
Hot Metal Campus researchers, including Mary L. Marazita, PhD, and Seth Weinberg, PhD, from UPitt’s Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, as well as the Schools of Medicine and Public Health, are investigating the interaction between maternal smoking and vitamin use, and how these factors influence genes to cause orofacial clefts in Filipinos.
Shedding Light on How Cells Send Stress Signals
Researchers, including Hot Metal Campus's Jay Xiaojun Tan from UPitt’s Aging Institute, are revealing how tiny lipid molecules called phosphoinositides (PIPs) act as the cell’s internal “messengers,” precisely directing responses to stress and external signals.
We Can Change Our Homes as We Age: Becoming More CAPABLE
As we get older and our needs and goals change, so must our home environment ensure ongoing comfort, safety, and dignity in the places where our most precious memories are held. To help older adults continue to live in their home and safely meet their goals, University of Pittsburgh researchers in the Department of Occupational Therapy recently presented highlights from an ongoing CAPABLE study.
Rewriting the Origins of Ovarian Cancer: The Role of Stromal Support Cells
Ovarian Cancer is often found too late, but the multi-disciplinary team spanning clinical experts at the University of Pittsburgh (UPitt) and their collaborators have recently discovered new early detection and prevention strategies for ovarian cancer.
Hot Metal Labs Joins LSPA
We are thrilled to announce that Hot Metal Labs at Hot Metal Campus has officially joined Life Sciences Pennsylvania (LSPA), Pennsylvania’s premier trade association for the life sciences sector.
How Scientists Found a New Way to Help Us Fight Coronaviruses
At the University of Pittsburgh, a team of scientists were on a mission. While the world fought off COVID-19, these researchers asked a powerful question: What if we could help the body fight viruses more effectively, without directly targeting the virus itself?
Making Access to Pediatric Rehabilitation Therapy More Equitable
A recent study from Pitt’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Department of Occupational Therapy reveals how families of children with disabilities face substantial challenges to accessing therapy appointments, especially those of marginalized groups.
Speech Perception Decline in Middle Age Linked to Changes in Brain Activity
Research affiliated with UPitt’s Department of Communication Science and Disorders examines how changes in brain activity in the cortex influence how middle-aged people interpret and understand speech.
Hot Metal Campus Researchers Highlight Inequities in Post-Surgical Recovery Outcomes
Researchers affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh, including team members from the Departments of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and the Pittsburgh School of Medicine conducted a major study to better understand how social and demographic factors affect recovery after hip or knee replacement surgery.
Mapping Faces and Genes to Better Understand Human Diversity
Hot Metal Campus researchers are helping transform how we study complex human traits by combining facial imaging and genetic data. Seth Weinberg and Mary Marazita—based in Pitt’s Department of Human Genetics and the Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics—contributed to a new method called INMTD.
Stepping Toward Change: StepUp & The World Shoe Fund
Something as simple as a pair of shoes can be life-changing in underserved communities. The World Shoe Fund has long known this, building its mission around the powerful link between footwear, health, and opportunity. Now, with help from the StepUp Project Team, that mission is entering the digital age through an engaging educational game that blends fun with lasting impact.
Transforming Social Participation After Brain Injury
Discover how researchers at Hot Metal Campus at Pitt’s Occupational Therapy Department are pioneering advancements in social participation interventions for individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Stepping Away to Recharge: Hot Metal Campus Hosts Mindfulness Monday
Earlier this week, Hot Metal Campus introduced its inaugural Mindfulness Monday event, inviting everyone to unwind and rejuvenate.
Study Emphasizes the Necessity of Inclusive Design in Pediatric Respirators
A recent study analyzed how age, sex, and ancestry create variations in children’s facial shape, highlighting the necessity of inclusivity in respirator design.
A Job Well Done: Building Engineers Ron Thompson and Michael Scholze's Quick Response to Water Damage at Hot Metal Labs
Hot Metal Labs recently faced an unexpected water emergency. Still, thanks to the swift and effective response of Building Engineers Ron Thompson and Michael Scholze, the situation was handled with professionalism and dedication.
Focus Group Explores the Experiences of Nurses Post Cancer Diagnosis
A recent focus group study published on Nursing Outlook examines the unique return-to-work experiences and challenges nurses face post cancer diagnosis.
Celebrating Community and Accomplishments at Bridgeside’s Year-End Holiday Party
This year’s Bridgeside holiday party was a festive and meaningful celebration of the hard work, innovation, and collaborative spirit of the Bridgeside Point and Hot Metal Labs communities.
Tailored Walking Interventions for Older Adults: Maximizing Outcomes Through Personalization
A recent study from UPitt’s Department of Physical Therapy and Division of Geriatric Medicine investigated the predictors of gait speed improvement among 236 participants aged 65 and older.
Flow: Where Art, Dance, Technology, and Tradition Converge
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to step inside a story — where every movement, sound, and light immerses you in pages of a book brought to life? Flow is an immersive experience that transports audiences into the heart of Chinese folklore through dance, light, and interactive technology.
A New Era of Innovation: Derek Ham Leads Carnegie Mellon’s Entertainment Technology Center
Derek Ham has been the new director of Carnegie Mellon’s Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) in Hot Metal Labs, formerly 700 Technology Drive, since September of this year. Ham brings a strong background in interdisciplinary research, game-based learning, immersive storytelling, and algorithmic thinking.