Daniel Podolsky

Dr. Daniel K. Podolsky is a distinguished academic and medical leader who has served as President of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center since September 1, 2008. Prior to this, he was the Mallinckrodt Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Chief of Gastroenterology at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Chief Academic Officer of Partners HealthCare System, where he oversaw research and medical education programs. His research focuses on epithelial cell function, particularly mechanisms of growth factor and cytokine regulation, trefoil peptides, and the role of intestinal epithelium in innate immunity and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Dr. Podolsky completed his undergraduate degree summa cum laude at Harvard College and earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, followed by residency and fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital. He joined Harvard Medical School faculty in 1981, became Chief of Gastroenterology in 1989, and was named Mallinckrodt Professor in 1998. His leadership established the Center for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease at Harvard, funded by NIDDK, which became a multidisciplinary hub for IBD research.

His research has significantly advanced understanding of epithelial injury and repair, trefoil peptide function, and the intestinal epithelium's role in innate immune responses. He has authored over 300 publications and served as editor-in-chief of Gastroenterology. Dr. Podolsky has received numerous accolades, including the Julius Freidenwald Award in 2009 and election to the National Academy of Medicine. His work continues to shape gastroenterology, immunology, and translational medicine.