June 24, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Professor of Medicine and Associate Director of Cardiovascular Biology Steven M. Pogwizd, M.D., has been named the first holder of the Featheringill Endowed Professorship in Cardiac Arrhythmia Research at UAB. The appointment was made by the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees at its June 20 meeting.

Pogwizd, an internationally known cardiologist skilled in the cardiologic principals and practice of arrhythmias in the failing heart, came to UAB earlier this year from the University of Illinois at Chicago where he was professor of medicine and interim director of research in the cardiology section. He also had joint appointments as professor in the departments of physiology and biophysics and biomedical engineering.

He is the principal investigator for several NIH RO1 grants and his research focuses on cellular and electrophysiological mechanisms of arrhythmias in heart failure and three-dimensional electrocardiographic imaging.

Pogwizd is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American College of Physicians, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Cardiology and cardiac Electrophysiology Society. He also has received a number of awards, including Fellow of the American College of Physicians and American Heart Association Established Investigator Award.

Pogwizd earned his bachelor's in chemistry from the University of Chicago and his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis. He completed his internship and residency at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago and clinical and research fellowships in cardiology at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis.