Department of Medicine
Faculty Profiles by Division

Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine

Faculty Profiles
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photo Anna Zemke, MD, PhD

Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Email: zemkea@upmc.edu

Phone: 412-647-8477
Contact
Office: UPMC Montefiore Hospital, NW 628
3459 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
 
Phone: 412-647-8477
Fax: 412-692-2260
E-mail: zemkea@upmc.edu
Administrative Assistant:
M. Sharon Droppa
Address: UPMC Montefiore Hospital, NW 628
3459 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Email: droppam2@upmc.edu
Phone: 412-647-8477
Fax: 412-692-2260
Education and Training
Education
BS, Biochemistry, summa cum laude, Seattle Pacific University, 2001
PhD, Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology, University of Pittsburgh, 2007
MD, University of Pittsburgh, 2009
Training
Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 2009
Fellowship, Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Pittsburgh, 2015
Research Interest
Pseudomonas aeruginosa forms highly antibiotic resistant biofilms in the airways of people with cystic fibrosis and other lung diseases. Nitrosative stress arrests bacterial respiration, thus we are developing nebulized nitrite as an antimicrobial agent. In the laboratory, we use a bacterial epithelial co-culture model to study how nitrosative stress modulates bacterial respiration and to study the physiology of biofilm dispersal. We are conducting a Proof of Concept human subjects study using nebulized nitrite within the Cystic Fibrosis Center at Pitt in collaboration with Dr. Joe Pilewski.
Clinical Interest
Dr. Zemke currently practices as an intensivist at UPMC East and UPMC Presbyterian.
Publications
For my complete bibliography, Click Here.
Selected Publications:
Zemke, AC, Bomberger, JM. Microbiology: Social Suicide for a Good Cause. Curr Biol. 2016; 26(2): R80-2.
Zemke, AC, Gladwin, MT, Bomberger, JM. Sodium nitrite blocks the activity of aminoglycosides against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2015; 59(6): 3329-34.
Zemke, AC, Shiva, S, Burns, JL, Moskowitz, SM, Pilewski, JM, Gladwin, MT, Bomberger, JM. Nitrite modulates bacterial antibiotic susceptibility and biofilm formation in association with airway epithelial cells. Free Radic Biol Med. 2014; 77: 307-16.
Zemke, AC, Snyder, JC, Brockway, BL, Drake, JA, Reynolds, SD, Kaminski, N, Stripp, BR. Molecular staging of epithelial maturation using secretory cell-specific genes as markers. Am J Respir Cell Mol Bio. 2009; 40(3): 340-8.
Zemke, AC, Teisanu, RM, Giangreco, A, Brockway, BL, Reynolds, SD, Stripp, BR. Beta-Catenin is not necessary for maintenance or repair of the bronchiolar epithelium. Am J Respir Cell Mol Bio. 2009; 41(5): 535-43.
Snyder, JC, Zemke, AC, Stripp, BR. Reparative capacity of airway epithelium impacts deposition and remodeling of extracellular matrix. Am J Respir Cell Mol Bio. 2009; 40(6): 633-42.
Reynolds, SD, Zemke, AC, Giangreco, A, Brockway, BL, Teisanu, RM, Drake, JA, Mariani, T, Di, PY, Taketo MM, Stripp, BR. Conditional stabilization of beta-catenin expands the pool of lung stem cells. Stem Cells. 2008; 26(5): 1337-46.
Sponsored Research/Activities
Title: Clinical and microbiological assessment of CFTR modulators on CF Sinus Disease
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding Agency: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Start Year: 2019
End Year: 2022
Title: Nitrite Dispersal of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Biotic Biofilms
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding Agency: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Start Year: 2016
End Year: 2019
Title: Inhaled Sodium Nitrate as a New Antibacterial Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding Agency: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Start Year: 2016
End Year: 2019
Title: Translational Training Program in Pulmonary Biology and Medicine
Role: Trainee
Funding Agency: National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute
Grant Number: T32 HL007563
Start Year: 2013
End Year: 2018
Notable Achievements
ATS Abstract Scholarship Travel Award, 2013
ATS Abstract Scholarship Travel Award, 2015
Member, American Society for Microbiology, 2016-present
Member, American Thoracic Society, 2012-present
Department of Medicine: Fellow Bench Research Award, 2915
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) Clinical Fellowship Training Award, 2014-2015

Division Websites

Cardiology

Endocrinology and Metabolism

Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

General Internal Medicine

Geriatric Medicine
Hematology/Oncology

Infectious Diseases

Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine

Renal-Electrolyte

Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology

Contact

Department of Medicine
1218 Scaife Hall
3550 Terrace Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Email:  chairoff@pitt.edu
Phone:  412-648-9636
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