Dr. Jay Hoofnagle is a preeminent hepatologist and internationally recognized authority in liver disease research who currently serves as Director of the Liver Disease Research Branch within the Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. A graduate of Yale Medical School, he completed extensive post-graduate training in internal medicine, gastroenterology, and hepatology before embarking on his distinguished career at the NIH spanning more than fifty years. Throughout his tenure, he has held multiple leadership positions including his current role overseeing a comprehensive portfolio of basic and clinical research grants examining the causes, natural course, prevention, and treatment of liver diseases. Dr. Hoofnagle has been instrumental in establishing and directing major clinical research networks such as the Liver Cirrhosis Network, the NASH Clinical Research Network, and the Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network, solidifying his position as a cornerstone of American liver research infrastructure.
Dr. Hoofnagle's pioneering research has fundamentally transformed our understanding and treatment of viral hepatitis, particularly hepatitis C, where he was involved in the early evaluation and development of virtually all antiviral agents including interferon, ribavirin, lamivudine, and adefovir dipivoxil. His work contributed significantly to the development of direct-acting antivirals that now promise to cure the majority of patients with hepatitis C, representing one of the most remarkable therapeutic advances in modern medicine. As the senior editor and primary author of LiverTox, he has created an indispensable resource that catalogs drug-induced liver injury, which has become a critical reference for clinicians and researchers worldwide. Dr. Hoofnagle's research has directly contributed to the elimination of transfusion-related hepatitis C infections through improved blood screening methods, effectively making post-transfusion hepatitis a disease of the past as noted in his NEJM interview on the discovery of hepatitis C.
Beyond his research achievements, Dr. Hoofnagle previously served as president of the American Association for Liver Diseases and was honored with the Association's Distinguished Achievement Award for his exceptional contributions to the field. He has authored more than 500 articles in the medical literature and has conducted both clinical and basic research on liver diseases including hepatitis A through E, acute liver failure, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, autoimmune liver diseases, and biliary atresia. Dr. Hoofnagle continues to influence clinical practice through his oversight of major research networks and his ongoing work on the LiverTox resource, which remains vital as new medications and therapies enter the market. His current efforts focus on advancing understanding of drug-induced liver injury from emerging cancer therapies and herbal supplements, ensuring his legacy of translating scientific discovery into tangible patient benefits continues to grow through his leadership in the field.
