Researcher Spotlight: Ram Subramanian, MD, MBA

What is your professional background?
Currently, I am the medical director of Liver Transplantation and oversee the Liver Critical Care services at the Emory Liver Transplant Center. My fellowship training involved combined training in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and Gastroenterology and Transplant Hepatology, with a goal to focus my clinical and research interests in the field of hepatic critical care. Over the course of my academic career, I have developed a specific clinical and research focus in extracorporeal liver support and hepatic critical care. In addition, I have developed expertise in the critical care management of organ donors and work closely with the Lifelink of Georgia to provide guidance regarding organ donor management.

In what division do you work, and who is your mentor?
I work in the Division of Digestive Diseases (Gastroenterology). My interest in pursuing a career in hepatic critical care was supported by critical care mentors at the University of Chicago, Drs. Lawrence Wood and Dr. Jessie Hall. At Emory, Drs. Tim Buchman and Craig Coopersmith were instrumental in creating a highly supportive environment to further my research interest in liver intensive care.

Briefly describe your research. Why is it important?
My research interest is focused in the field of hepatic critical care. Specifically, I am involved in clinical research projects related to the management of acute liver failure, and acute on chronic liver failure in the inpatient setting. In the course of my research career, I have developed a particular interest in the field of extracorporeal liver support and have been involved in clinical trials that have examined the efficacy of artificial and bio-artificial liver support in the treatment of hepatic failure. Of note, the field of extracorporeal liver assist devices may gain increasing importance, as there is a growing need to stabilize and bridge patients with advanced liver disease to liver transplantation in the setting of organ donor shortage.

What do you like most about Emory?
During the course of my tenure at Emory, I have been very impressed with the collegiality of different medical disciplines, and their collective goal and focus towards optimizing patient care. A successful liver transplantation program requires multiple services to work cohesively to deliver optimal outcomes, and I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with great colleagues in multiple fields of medicine.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?
My favorite movie is “Gladiator.”

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I am crazy about the sport of cricket and watch a lot of it when possible.

What is a fun fact about you?
I recently concluded an MBA at the Emory Goizueta Business School and am interested in applying the knowledge from that experience to healthcare administration and delivery.