Vitae 2026: People and Stories that Drive Our Research
Vitae 2026: People and Stories that Drive Our Research
Vitae 2026, a hallmark event recognizing research excellence across University of Utah Health, featured six rising-star faculty who are on the forefront of their professions. The researchers captivated listeners with stories of their science and how they got to where they are today.
The annual symposium was hosted by Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs and Development Michael Rubin, MD, PhD, in partnership with the University of Utah Health Research Office.
Nathan Blue, MD, MSCI, Associate Professor
Title: Stillbirth, Fetal Growth, and the Holy Grail of Obstetric Decision-Making
Research ambitions: Reduce stillbirth and infant mortality by improving our ability to recognize and distinguish between healthy and compromised unborn babies.
Christopher Depner, PhD, Assistant Professor
Title: When Sleep Loss Becomes a Health Crisis
Research ambitions: Develop practical, science-based sleep interventions that reduce cardiometabolic disease risk and improve long-term health and well-being.
Yue Lu, PhD, Assistant Professor
Title: Health in High Definition: Micro and Nano Technologies that Make Health Care Personal
Research ambitions: Build a “zoomable” map of human health with noninvasive methods, organ by organ and cell by cell, to personalize treatment and enable prevention.
Chelsey Schlechter, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor
Title: From Evidence to Impact: Closing the Gap Between What Works and Who Benefits
Research ambitions: To improve population health by increasing the reach and real-world impact of research evidence in all communities.
Tyler Starr, PhD, Assistant Professor
Title: Mapping the Zoonotic Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and Related Bat Coronaviruses
Research ambitions: Uncover the molecular principles that govern viral spillover and adaptation, strengthening our ability to predict, prevent, and control future pandemic viruses.
Djin Tay, PhD, RN, FCPN, Assistant Professor
Title: Why Should the Costs of Cancer Depend on Where you Live?
Research ambitions: My goal is to accelerate the translation of evidence and adoption of digital innovations to mitigate cancer-related financial hardship so that those facing cancer can focus more on their quality of life and recovery and worry less about their costs of care.
Vignette Videos
Kensaku Kawamoto, MD, PhD, Professor, Biomedical Informatics, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Dr. Helmuth F. Orthner Endowed Professor
Toward the Right Care Every Time
Karen Wilcox, PhD, Distinguished Professor, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Richard L. Stimson Presidential Endowed Chair