With each new class of medical students, cohort of trainees and newly hired faculty members, ULSOM aims to promote lifelong learning that truly lasts a lifetime. Dr. Craig McClain, a professor and researcher in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, has spent nearly 50 years as a principal investigator, not only fulfilling his goal of being a lifelong learner, but encouraging others to do the same.  

ULSOM: You’ve spent decades immersed in academic medicine and research. What has lifelong learning meant to you personally and professionally?  

McClain: I am a practicing gastroenterologist/hepatologist and NIH-funded investigator. I have had continuous federal funding for my research as a principal investigator since 1977. Lifelong learning helps keep me young and at the forefront of research and medical care. Over my career of half a century, I have witnessed and participated in major new treatment paradigms. When I was a GI fellow, the only treatment we had for peptic ulcer disease was antacids. The development of H2 blockers and subsequently, proton pump inhibitors revolutionized our treatment of a large patient population with ulcers or heartburn. Similarly, when I started out, there was no therapy for Hepatitis C, which has ravaged certain areas of Kentucky. I was excited when interferon-based therapywas able to cure almost 10% of patients treated, even though the side effects were substantial. Now, we have simple short-term therapy that cures almost everyone, and we are eradicating Hepatitis C.  

ULSOM: Can you share a moment in your career when you had to relearn, unlearn, or adapt your thinking in a meaningful way?  

McClain: There were several times in my career when I had to totally relearn or change my thinking. Possibly the best example relates to metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis (MASH – previously called NASH). I am a world-recognized expert in alcohol-associated liver disease. MASH was not described until the mid-1980s. Histologically, MASH is identical to alcohol-associated liver disease. I told several patients early in my career that I was sure they were drinking and not telling me the truth because their liver biopsy showed alcohol-associated hepatitis. I now know these patients had MASH (which had not yet been described). Similarly, I used to lecture that once patients had cirrhosis, it could never be reversed. Now, we know that is not true and we are studying new drugs to reverse cirrhosis in some patients.  

ULSOM: How has your research focus changed over the years and what role has continued learning played in driving those shifts?  

McClain: I continue learning and evolving because I work in an exciting field that provides new therapies for patients. My research focus has changed over the years from writing individual grants to a team-science approach that is usually highly translational in nature. This facilitates addressing big problems more rapidly and effectively.  

ULSOM: What current area of your work is most exciting to you right now? What are you still curious about?  

McClain: The most interesting area of research that I’m working on involves specific nutritional therapies for liver disease. We have spent years doing basic work and are now translating these concepts to clinical practice.  

ULSOM: You’ve mentored many young investigators. How does working with the next generation of researchers help you stay engaged in learning?  

McClain: Mentoring young investigators is one of the most enjoyable things I do. Indeed, I have mentored more than 35 junior faculty who obtained career development awards at both the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville. Working with young investigators brings newexcitement,enthusiasm and ideas to research.  

ULSOM: What advice would you give to early-career faculty or medical students about cultivating a mindset of lifelong learning?  

McClain: I encourage medical students and young faculty members to actively engage in their professional organizations and to remain lifelong learners. This allows them to keep up with ever-evolving knowledge and optimizes patient care. 

ULSOM: How do you personally approach staying current in a constantly changing medical and scientific landscape?  

McClain: For me, staying current involves multiple processes, including reviewing articles, grants, writing guidelines, lecturing, doing podcasts and constantly reviewing the medical literature. To do this, one must also stay mentally and physically healthy. I try to get to the UofL gym at least four times a week and I recently got my cataracts fixed so I can read much more efficiently!  

ULSOM: Looking back at your time at UofL, what are you most proud of and what do you still hope to accomplish?  

McClain: I am probably most proud of the strong, cohesive and broad-based GI division that we have built at the University of Louisville and the major medical advances we have made. My goal is to continue to translate some of our findings into patient care. 

ULSOM: If you could go back and speak to yourself as a young physician-scientist, what would you say?  

McClain: If I could speak to myself as a young physician-scientist, I would say that I’d need to regularly assess my progress and where I am going. It’svery easy to get into certain habits, especially when things are going well and time goes by quickly. 

Time certainly does go by quickly, but Dr. McClain has used his time to exponentially improve health outcomes for his patients. Because of his dedication to lifelong learning, many others have gone on to advance research in their own respective paths, meaning Dr. McClain’s impact will last generations 

Join us in celebrating Dr. McClain’s unwavering commitment to medical advancement. If his story has inspired you, consider exploring mentorship opportunities, pursing a research collaboration or engaging in your own journey of lifelong learning at the UofL School of Medicine.