Dr. Sally Wenzel is a distinguished pulmonologist and internationally recognized leader in respiratory medicine. She currently serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, holding the prestigious Rachel Carson Chair in Environmental Health. Prior to her position at Pitt, she established her academic career during 19 years at National Jewish Health and the University of Colorado, where she developed foundational expertise in pulmonary diseases. Dr. Wenzel completed her medical degree at the University of Florida, building upon an exceptional academic foundation that included earning a perfect score in college placement tests during her high school years at Citrus High School in Inverness, Florida.
Dr. Wenzel pioneered the paradigm-shifting concept that asthma is not a single disease but a heterogeneous condition comprising numerous distinct phenotypes, fundamentally transforming how researchers and clinicians understand and treat this prevalent respiratory condition. Her groundbreaking 2012 identification of asthmatic granulomatosis alongside Samuel Yousem provided critical insights into severe asthma pathobiology and earned international recognition in the field. With over 113,000 citations across more than 300 published papers and reviews, her research has established the foundation for precision medicine approaches to asthma treatment, integrating studies of oxidative stress, environmental exposures, and genetic factors. As director of the University of Pittsburgh Asthma and Environmental Lung Health Institute, she has advanced translational research that bridges basic science discoveries with clinical applications for patients suffering from respiratory diseases.
Beyond her research contributions, Dr. Wenzel has served as Steering Committee Chair for the NHLBI's Severe Asthma Research Program for over 15 years and as co-principal investigator for the NHLBI clinical management program, AsthmaNet, shaping national research priorities in asthma. She has received numerous prestigious honors including the American Thoracic Society Award for Scientific Achievement, the European Respiratory Society President's Award, and the Elizabeth Rich Award for her role in promoting women in science. As an Associate Editor for Physiological Reviews and active member of the American Association of Physicians, she continues to influence the direction of pulmonary research and clinical practice. Currently expanding the mission of the Asthma Institute to address regional environmental threats to lung health, Dr. Wenzel remains committed to advancing personalized treatment approaches that improve outcomes for patients with severe asthma and other respiratory conditions.
