Norah Terrault

Dr. Norah Terrault is a distinguished Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases at the University of Southern California (USC), holding the Neil Kaplowitz Endowed Chair in Liver Diseases Research. As a leading expert in hepatology, she serves as the current president of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), demonstrating her significant influence in the field of liver disease research and treatment.

Dr. Terrault received her MD from the University of Alberta and completed fellowships in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology at the University of Toronto, followed by a Master's in Public Health at the University of California at Berkeley. Her educational background combines clinical excellence with public health expertise, shaping her comprehensive approach to liver disease management and research.

Dr. Terrault's research focuses on viral hepatitis (particularly hepatitis B and C) and steatotic liver disease (both metabolic and alcohol-associated), with special emphasis on vulnerable populations including those with cirrhosis and transplant recipients. She has pioneered innovative approaches to hepatitis screening and treatment, founding USC Project ECHO to train primary care physicians in hepatitis management. Her work spans clinical trials, epidemiological studies, and the development of national treatment guidelines that have transformed patient care standards.

Among her notable achievements, Dr. Terrault holds the prestigious Neil Kaplowitz Endowed Chair in Liver Diseases Research and serves as president of AASLD. She has co-edited Zakim and Boyer's textbook in hepatology and contributed significantly to US national guidelines for treatment of chronic hepatitis B, C, and alcohol-associated liver disease. Her leadership extends to directing multiple NIH-funded research networks including the Liver Cirrhosis Network and NASH CRN.

Dr. Terrault has a distinguished record of mentoring, having guided numerous fellows and junior faculty in clinical research. She leads several major research initiatives including the NIH-funded Liver Cirrhosis Network and NASH CRN, securing substantial grant funding for liver disease research. Her commitment to developing the next generation of hepatologists is evident in her creation of USC Project ECHO, which has expanded hepatitis care access across California.

Through USC Project ECHO, Dr. Terrault has established a multifaceted program that connects specialists with primary care providers to improve hepatitis management statewide. Her research teams are actively engaged in multiple clinical trials focused on preventing and treating chronic viral hepatitis and metabolic steatotic liver disease, with particular attention to health disparities and special populations.