Collaborating for a Cure
Our Partners in Transforming Liver Disease Research
Dr. Rolf Barth
Professor of Surgery
Chief, Section of Transplant Surgery
Co-Director, Transplant Institute
Director, Liver, Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation
Dr. Rolf Barth is an experienced liver transplant surgeon who is dedicated to pioneering solutions for end-stage liver disease. His research has included xenotransplantation (the use of genetically engineered animal organs for human transplant) and advanced liver support platforms. Clinically he has been an early adopter of the use of the Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS) – a treatment for acute liver failure and hepatic encephalopathy; and normothermic machine perfusion – a platform for organ preservation that can expand organ utilization and increase transplant rates. In conjunction with his colleagues in hepatology new therapies for patients with chronic liver disease and early stage fibrosis are being explored. This innovation has the potential to transform liver disease management and make life-saving treatments more widely available.
By supporting Dr. Barth's research, our organization can help accelerate breakthroughs in artificial liver technology and organ transplant alternatives. His collaboration with experts and institutions, along with the need for substantial funding to advance these complex, costly studies, aligns with our mission to improve patient outcomes in liver disease. Donations to this research could directly impact lives by advancing scientific solutions to some of the most challenging medical issues facing liver disease patients today.
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Dr. Jonathan Stine
Associate Professor of Medicine and Public Health Sciences
Research Director, Penn State Health Liver Center
Dr. Jonathan Stine is a leading hepatologist committed to advancing treatments for liver diseases through innovative, patient-centered approaches. His research explores how exercise and lifestyle interventions can reduce liver inflammation and fibrosis, with a focus on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASLD). Emerging evidence from his lab suggests that chronic liver disease accelerates biological aging, and tailored exercise programs could potentially reverse these effects, improving liver health and overall patient outcomes. This work has significant implications for autoimmune hepatitis, offering alternative or complementary therapies to traditional treatments.
By supporting Dr. Stine’s research, the Hepatic Hope Foundation can help drive transformative advancements in non-pharmacologic treatments for autoimmune liver diseases. Funding this work enables critical analyses, including cutting-edge mRNA sequencing, that pave the way for new therapeutic strategies. This partnership aligns with our mission to improve the quality of life for patients with autoimmune hepatitis and related liver conditions, offering hope through innovation.
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American Association for the
Study of Liver Diseases Foundation
A charitable organization that invests in innovative hepatology research and in the people who study and treat liver disease.
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While we are not currently collaborating with the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Foundation (AASLDF), we deeply respect their mission and the impact they’ve had on the field of liver health. AASLDF is one of the most reputable organizations in liver disease research, known for fostering innovation and advancing the understanding of liver diseases. They provide essential support to scientists, physicians, and healthcare providers by funding cutting-edge research and promoting education on liver health.
AASLDF is instrumental in offering grants, fellowships, and other financial resources to researchers who are pushing the boundaries of liver disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Their funding initiatives have played a pivotal role in many breakthroughs in liver health, from basic scientific discoveries to clinical applications. Additionally, AASLDF hosts the annual Liver Meeting, a globally recognized conference where experts come together to share the latest advancements in hepatology.
At Hepatic Hope Foundation, we align with many of AASLDF’s goals; we highly value their contributions to the field. We aim to direct our funding to pilot awards that directly support research in autoimmune hepatitis, liver support systems, and artificial liver development. By prioritizing these specific areas, we aim to accelerate innovations that hold the potential to revolutionize treatments for those affected by liver diseases, particularly autoimmune hepatitis.
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