Adithya Cattamanchi, MD, Elected to the American Society for Clinical Investigation

Learn how Adithya Cattamanchi, MD, is expanding access to high-quality tuberculosis diagnostics — work recognized in part by his recent election to the American Society for Clinical Investigation.

The American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI) supports research that extends our understanding of diseases and improves available treatment options.

“ASCI recognizes physician-scientists whose work bridges discovery and patient care, and that mission aligns closely with how I see my role — using rigorous science to address pressing health challenges globally,” says Adithya Cattamanchi, MD, a professor of medicine and public health and chief of the Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care at UC Irvine.

Cattamanchi was recently elected as a 2026 member of ASCI, in part because of his work to advance tuberculosis (TB) care in high-burden countries.

“Traditionally, TB diagnosis has relied on sputum, which many patients — especially children and people with HIV — cannot easily produce,” he explains. “Our research has focused on using tongue swabs combined with molecular testing to make TB diagnosis more accessible, safer and more feasible at or near the point of care.”

The World Health Organization is expected to consider this approach as a potential point-of-care molecular test strategy for TB. “If endorsed, it could meaningfully expand access to high-quality TB diagnostics, particularly in settings where laboratory infrastructure and sputum collection are major barriers,” says Cattamanchi, who will discuss this work in more detail at a seminar on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 at noon.

The talk, “Reimagining TB Diagnosis: From Implementation Science to Innovation & Back Again,” is part of the UC Irvine Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health speaker series (register online). Cattamanchi will discuss the scientific basis for the approach, the clinical validation, and implementation challenges and opportunities while moving toward policy adoption.

In April, he hopes to attend the ASCI New Member Induction Ceremony in Chicago.

“I see this recognition as a reflection of the extraordinary teams and collaborators I work with, both at UC Irvine and UCSF, and with our partners around the world,” says Cattamanchi, who was honored and grateful to be elected.

“Our work depends on long-standing, equitable collaborations and on trainees and staff who are deeply committed to improving health for populations that are often underserved,” he says. “This milestone feels like shared recognition of that collective effort and of the importance of research aimed at reducing global health inequities.”