NIH Biosketch - University of Pittsburgh :: MSTP

NAME OF FELLOWSHIP APPLICANT
Gil Hoftman
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
POSITION TITLE
MSTP Trainee
EDUCATION/TRAINING
INSTITUTION AND LOCATION
DEGREE
(if applicable)
YEAR(s)
FIELD OF STUDY
Santa Monica College AA 2004 Biology
University of California, Los Angeles BS 2006 Neuroscience
A. Personal Statement
I am pursuing an MD and PhD because of my past experiences in translational research, my current dedication
to conducting hypothesis-driven translational research, and my future aspirations as a physician-scientist.
First, I have been actively involved in biomedical research since 2003. My desire to conduct translational
(bedside-to-bench-to-bedside) research, which is driven by my conviction to help those afflicted by illness, led
me to the University of Pittsburgh MSTP where I am being trained in how to formulate testable hypotheses, to
analyze and interpret data critically, and to use novel and well-established molecular neuroscience methods.
My interest in studying the cellular and molecular changes that occur in schizophrenia has driven me to focus
on how the brain develops under normal conditions and the nature and timing of alterations that result in
neuropsychiatric illness. These experiences and aspirations led me to join the laboratory of Dr. David Lewis,
which is very well suited to train and encourage me to pursue topics I am passionate about while developing
into an excellent physician scientist. For example, immediately after finishing my clinical clerkship in psychiatry
and neurology in August 2009, I rejoined the Lewis Lab and began writing an NRSA fellowship application
while conducting preliminary studies. I plan on completing my MD/PhD training in the most productive way and
acquiring the skills needed to become a productive member of the medical and scientific community.
B. Positions and Honors
2010-2011 NIMH Fellows Program, University of Pittsburgh
2010 MSTP Interviewing Committee
2009-2010 MSTP Seminar Series Chair
2008-2010 America Medical Student Association Treasurer
2008-2010 America Medical Student Association Community & Public Health Committee Co-Chair
2009-2010 AMSA National Medical Humanities Scholars Program, AMSA National
Academic and Professional Honors
June 2010 Best Student Poster Award at the University of Pittsburgh Western Psychiatric Institute and
Clinic Research Day, Pittsburgh, PA,
May 2010 Blue Ribbon Award for Top 30 poster at the Society of Biological Psychiatry Conference. New
Orleans, LA,
April 2008 Selected to attend the NIMH MD/PhD Student Conference on Neuroscience and Psychiatry.
Bethesda, MD,
June 2006 UCLA Neuroscience Departmental Highest Honors for 1) completing an undergraduate
research thesis project focusing on the hypothesis that specific electrophysiological markers
of seizure onset activity in the human mesial temporal lobe may predict the pattern of
hippocampal atrophy in subjects with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, and 2) achieving a GPA
>3.7 in the major.
2005-06 Work Study funding, University Grant, and Alumni Self-help Grant based on merit and need
for tuition and research support at the UCLA Seizure Disorder Center working with Dr. Charles
Wilson.
2005-06 Wasserman Scholarship for 4th year based on academic achievement during my previous
year at UCLA.
2004-05 UCLA Alumni Association Community College Transfer Scholarship for academic merit and
community service.

2004-06 Granted membership to the Gold Shield Alumni of UCLA on the basis of academic
performance and community service.
C. Publications
Peer-reviewed articles:
Hoftman GD and Lewis DA. Developmental trajectories of neural circuits in the primate prefrontal cortex:
Identifying sensitive periods for vulnerability to schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull. Accepted 24 Feb 2011.
Van Erp TG, Thompson PM, Kiesppä T, Bearden CE, Marino A, Hoftman G, Haukka J, Partonen T, Huttenen
M, Kaprio J, Lönnqvist J, Poutanen V-P, Toga AW, Cannon TD. Hippocampal morphology in twins discordant
for bipolar I disorder. Human Brain Mapping. Accepted 19 November 2010.
Ogren JA, Bragin A, Wilson CL, Hoftman GD, Lin JJ, Dutton RA, Fields TA, Toga AW, Thompson PM, Engel J
Jr, Staba RJ. Three-dimensional hippocampal atrophy maps distinguish two common temporal lobe seizureonset
patterns. Epilepsia. Jun;50(6):1361-70. 2009. [Image on cover]
Abstracts:
Hoftman GD, Bazmi HH, and Lewis DA. Developmental trajectories of markers of GABA neurotransmission in
monkey prefrontal cortex. 40 th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. 13-17 November 2010. San
Diego, CA.
Hoftman GD, Bazmi HH, and Lewis DA. Developmental trajectories of transcripts regulating GABA
neurotransmission in monkey prefrontal cortex. 65th Annual Meeting of the Society of Biological Psychiatry,
20-22 May 2010, New Orleans, LA.
Van Erp TG, Thompson PM, Kiesppä T, Bearden CE, Marino A, Hoftman G, Haukka J, Partonen T, Huttenen
M, Kaprio J, Lönnqvist J, Poutanen V-P, Toga AW, Cannon TD. Hippocampal morphology in twins discordant
for bipolar I disorder. 39 th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. 17-21 October 2009. Chicago,
Illinois.
Van Erp TG, Thompson PM, Hoftman G, Huttenen M, Lönnqvist J, Kaprio J, Salonen O, Valanne L,
Standertskjöld-Nordenstam C-G, Poutanen VP, Toga AW, Cannon TD. Hippocampal shape in twin pairs
discordant for schizophrenia. Asilomar Conference. 26-29 October 2008. Pacific Grove, CA.
D. Research Support
Ongoing Research Support
F30 MH093079-01 Hoftman (PI) 01/01/11-12/31/14
Developmental trajectories of prefrontal cortical GABA neurons and schizophrenia
The goal of the proposed studies is to define the developmental trajectories of key components of prefrontal
cortical circuitry that are sensitive to cannabis use and are altered in schizophrenia.
Role: PI
Completed Research Support
T32 NS007433 Alan Sved (PI) 08/31/09-08/31/10
University of Pittsburgh, Center for Neuroscience Training Grant
Role: Trainee
T32 GM008208-19 Clayton Wiley (PI) 06/01/07-06/01/08
University of Pittsburgh, Medical Scientist Training Program Training Grant
Role: Trainee