Ciara Shaver, MD, PhD

Ciara Shaver, MD, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, with a secondary appointment in Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology. A physician-scientist, Dr. Shaver’s research explores the molecular mechanisms of acute lung injury and repair in organ donors, during transplantation, and in critical illness. Her translational work spans basic science studies using ex vivo lung perfusion and animal models, as well as innovative approaches like xenogeneic cross-circulation to expand the availability of donor organs. Dr. Shaver has worked with Dr. Matthew Bacchetta to develop xenogeneic cross-circulation to improve the availability of donor organs suitable for transplantation. 

As Associate Director of Translational Science at VCTS, Dr. Shaver leverages her expertise in translational and basic research to foster interdisciplinary discovery aimed at improving outcomes for patients receiving solid organ transplants. She will help bridge the center’s work with the core area of organ preservation, further enhancing collaboration and innovation in this critical field. Additionally, she will lead efforts to enhance translational science opportunities in clinical trials and observational studies and target recruitment of faculty with expertise in translational research. Dr. Shaver’s unique expertise positions her to maximize the value of biobanking in transplantation and to advance cutting-edge research that integrates -omics and deep histological phenotyping.