Simona Jakab

Dr. Simona Jakab is an Associate Professor of Medicine (Digestive Diseases) at Yale School of Medicine and Chief of the Klatskin Liver Service in Internal Medicine. She specializes in hepatology, focusing on liver cirrhosis, hepatic encephalopathy, and liver transplantation. Her clinical practice emphasizes advanced liver diseases, including NAFLD, alcoholic hepatitis, and pre-surgical dental protocols for liver transplant candidates.

• Education: MD from Timisoara University of Medicine and Pharmacy (1998)
• Training: Fellowships at Norwalk Hospital/Yale University (2005–2009) and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
• Research: Investigates gut microbiome roles in hepatic encephalopathy, cirrhosis management, and VA healthcare disparities

Her recent research uses machine learning to improve diagnostic clarity for hepatic encephalopathy and evaluates outpatient paracentesis models to reduce hospitalizations. She actively participates in clinical trials for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) therapies.

• Awards: Recipient of the Edwin C. Cadman Award
• Clinical Trials: Sub-investigator in trials for lanifibranor (NATiV3) and miridesa (MIRNA) targeting NASH