Enrico M. Novelli, MD, MS
- Academic Title: Faculty Member
- Primary Appointment: Medicine
- Administrative Title: Leader of UMSOM Program in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Classical Hematology/UMMS SCD Enterprise Clinical Lead
- Additional Title: MD, MS
- Email: ENovelli@som.umaryland.edu
Education and Training
Education
1990-1996 M.D., Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy (summa cum laude)
2008-2013 M.S., Clinical Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Post Graduate Education and Training
1996-1999 Postdoctoral Fellowship, Pediatric Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
1999-2001 Postdoctoral Fellowship, Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh
2001-2004 Internship and Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside Hospital
2005-2008 Fellowship, Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
2019 Faculty Leadership Academy, University of Pittsburgh
Biosketch
Dr. Novelli is a professor at the University of Maryland, Leader of the University of Maryland School of Medicine Program in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Classical Hematology and Chief of University of Maryland Medical System SCD and Classical Hematology Network. He is a classical hematologist and physician-scientist with internationally recognized expertise in SCD, vascular biology, translational research, and global hematology capacity building. His research focuses on the pathophysiology of vaso-occlusion, inflammation, thrombosis, neurovascular complications, pain, and aging in SCD, with leadership of NIH-funded clinical and translational studies spanning biomarker discovery, advanced imaging, therapeutic development, and implementation science. Dr. Novelli has extensive experience in clinical trials, investigator-initiated research, and multidisciplinary care delivery for individuals with SCD and other benign hematologic disorders. Internationally, he has played a major role in advancing hematology education and workforce development through leadership positions within the American Society of Hematology, including co-chairing the Consortium on Newborn Screening in Africa and contributing to multiple global training, mentorship, and research initiatives across Africa, Latin America, and other resource-limited settings. His work integrates patient care, research, education, and advocacy to improve outcomes and expand access to high-quality hematologic care worldwide.
Highlighted Publications
Novelli EM, Lenhart SC, Foley LM, et al. Astrocytic frataxin deficiency drives neurocognitive impairment in sickle cell mice. PNAS Nexus. 2026.
Perkins LA, Nyiranshuti L, Little-Ihrig L, et al. Novelli EM, Anderson JA. Integrin VLA-4 as a PET imaging biomarker of hyper-adhesion in transgenic sickle mice. Blood Advances. 2020. (co-senior/corresponding author)
Green NS, Zapfel A, Nnodu OE, et al. Novelli EM. The Consortium on Newborn Screening in Africa for Sickle Cell Disease (CONSA): Study rationale and methodology. Blood Advances. 2022.
Hazra R, Pu H, Foley LM, et al. Novelli EM. White-matter abnormalities and cognitive dysfunction are linked to astrocyte activation in sickle mice. PNAS Nexus. 2023.
Newman TV, Yang J, Suh K, Jonassaint CR, Kane-Gill SL, Novelli EM. Use of Disease-Modifying Treatments in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease. JAMA Network Open. 2023.
Additional Publications
Gladwin MT, Kato G, Novelli EM. Sickle Cell Disease. McGraw Hill, New York, NY, 2021, 720 p.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Addressing Sickle Cell Disease: A Strategic Plan and Blueprint for Action. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
Research Interests
Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying vascular dysfunction in sickle cell anemia
Elucidation of the pathophysiology of cognitive impairment in sickle cell anemia
Development of new imaging biomarkers in sickle cell anemia
Global hematology and international research projects
Awards and Affiliations
2003 Junior Resident of the Year Award, UPMC Shadyside Residency Program
2004 The Arthur Mirsky Award, UPMC Shadyside Residency Award
2008 Clinical Research Training Institute (ASH-CRTI) Award, American Society of Hematology
2009 Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research Society Mentored Research Award, “Mechanism of Hemolysis-Associated Hemostatic Activation in Sickle Cell Disease Involves the Formation of PS-TSP1-vWF complexes that Inhibit Nitric Oxide Signaling and vWF Processing.”
2010 American Society of Hematology Scholar Award, “Hemolysis activates platelets leading to TSP mediated NO dysregulation and pulmonary hypertension in SCD”
2011 Gilead Sciences Research Scholars Program Award in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, “Blockade of the TSP1-CD47 Interaction Modulates Pulmonary Hypertension in Sickle Cell Disease”
2012 10th Research Day Award, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
2013 Parker B Francis Fellowship Award, “Novel mechanism that regulates oxidative stress in SCD-related PAH”
2014 Institute for Clinical Research Education Graduate Spotlight recipient, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
2014 Outstanding sickle cell clinical care and research award, Children’s Sickle Cell Foundation, Pittsburgh, PA
2020 Dr. Prafulla Kumar Ganguli Award, British Institute of Radiology
2021-2026 Honoree, Best Doctors, Pittsburgh Magazine
2022 Outstanding sickle cell clinical care and research award, Children’s Sickle Cell Foundation, Pittsburgh, PA
2026 Sanius Health Top80 Most Influential Advocates and People in SCD