By Emily Cooper
In 2019, the first research scholarship for students at the College of Health and Human Services was established in honor of Dr. Zobair Younossi, a 1984 George Mason University alumnus and recipient of the 2008 Alumnus of the Year Award in recognition of his pioneering research in liver disease and contributions to the health care field. Younossi is currently the professor and chairman of the Department of Medicine at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus. After earning his medical degree from the University of Rochester in 1989, he also earned a master of public health degree from San Diego State University.
Younossi joined Inova in 2000 and was appointed executive director of the Center for Liver Diseases. In 2006, he was appointed as the medical director of research and was promoted to the vice president for research for Inova Health System. Younossi’s clinic research focuses on chronic liver disease, specifically non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and other liver complications of obesity. He has also pioneered application of health services research and patient reported outcomes research in the field of hepatology. Beyond his accomplishments at Inova, Younossi has also authored over 500 articles and published three textbooks, becoming a voice in the field of medicine and public health.
Much of Younossi’s research is conducted at the Beatty Center for Liver and Obesity Research, where he is the founding member. The Beatty Center has been a home for undergraduate and graduate students for more than 10 years. Many of these students are from George Mason University. The research opportunities have included clinical and translational research. Some have been sponsored to attend national and international meetings to present their work. Some students have been able to continue their research through Beatty supported summer research stipends. Some of these students have made life career choices based on these experiences.
“I am honored to be acknowledged for the work the Beatty Center for Liver and Obesity Research program and Inova Health System have done in support of student research experiences. I am committed to continuing these efforts and with the establishment of this research award, we will be able to include more students and enable those with financial need to participate” said Younossi.
The Dr. Zobair Younossi Research Scholars Award is a lasting and perpetual way to support undergraduate or graduate students with financial need who are participating or interested in health-related research in biomedicine or a health-related field. To support this fund, please make a donation today.