Our Team

  • Portrait of a man with short dark hair, glasses, a beard, wearing a suit and a light blue shirt, smiling against a plain background.

    Eric Lechman, Ph.D

    Eric was recruited to the University of Pittsburgh in 2022 where he is a Professor of Hematology-Oncology. He received his Master's and Ph.D. degrees in Pittsburgh, then traveling to Toronto, Canada, for his postdoctoral studies.

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  • A man with curly dark hair, glasses, and a nose ring, wearing a dark green sweater, looking slightly to the side with a thoughtful expression.

    Christy Smolak, MS

    Christy has been working in research labs at the University of Pittsburgh since 2000. She brings extensive expertise in histology, microscopy, flow cytometry, molecular biology, and tissue culture. Christy specializes in small animal modeling, earning her the well-deserved title of the lab’s Master of Mouse Work! Her steady presence and deep experience make her an essential part of the team.

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  • A middle-aged man with curly hair, glasses, and a checkered shirt standing indoors in front of bookshelves and cabinets.

    Dominic Didiano, Ph.D

    Dominic has over 25 years of experience working with model systems. For the past five years, he has been part of the University of Pittsburgh community, contributing to various leukemia research labs. His expertise spans molecular biology, cell culture, flow cytometry, genetics, and microscopy. Around the lab, Dom is known as the resident handyman—always ready to troubleshoot, lend a hand, and do it all with a smile.

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  • Young man with wavy brown hair, wearing a white dress shirt and black tie, smiling outdoors with trees and greenery in the background.

    Silas Davidson

    Silas is a pre-medical undergraduate in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. He has secured over $100,000 in non-dilutive research and scholarship funding and currently leads an independent, grant-funded project on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). His research training began in collaboration with the Duke School of Medicine and the CDC, and now continues his work here at the Hillman Cancer Center. Outside the lab, he is a varsity athlete on the Pitt Climbing Team, a classically trained pianist, and a certified EMT with Northwest EMS.

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  • A man with curly dark hair, glasses, and a beard sitting indoors, wearing a black sweater with a white shirt underneath.

    Clinton Piper, MD PH.D

    Clint is a pediatric hematology/oncology fellow at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. His clinical interests include leukemia, lymphoma, and benign hematologic disorders. In the Lechman Lab, Clint’s research focuses on the role of cilia in abnormal hematopoiesis and leukemia predisposition in individuals with Down syndrome. He completed his MD/PhD at the Medical College of Wisconsin and his pediatrics residency at UPMC. Originally from the Chicago area, Clint enjoys hiking, biking, running, and spending time with his toddler.

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