Dr. Doerfler's research interest is in the utility of molecular testing to aid in diagnosis and prognosis of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. He conducts clinical research in the multi-disciplinary thyroid center at UPMC with a particular interest in RAS positive thyroid tumors.
Dr. Doerfler sees general endocrinology patients and is a member of the thyroid unit in the UPMC division of endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism. He has an interest and expertise in the management of thyroid disorders including thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. He performs fine needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid nodules.
Dr. Doerfler served as a chief medical resident during his internal medicine residency at UPMC and is one of the associate program directors of the endocrinology fellowship at UPMC. He is actively involved in the educational mission of the endocrine fellowship program through precepting fellows in continuity clinic as well as supervising fellows, internal medicine residents, and medical students on the inpatient endocrine consult service at UPMC Presbyterian. He is involved in teaching first year medical students in the Keystone Fundamentals Course at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
- MD, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 2017
- MS, Clinical Research, University of Pittsburgh, 2024
- Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 2020
- Chief Medical Resident, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 2021
- Fellowship, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 2023
- T32 Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh, 2024
Education & Training
Condello, V., Doerfler, W.R. (co-first author), Nikitski, A.V., Spagnolo, D.M., Fornal, I.J., Schmidt, G.M., Wald, A.I., Nikiforova, M.N., Nikiforov, Y.E. Alterations in gene expression associated with invasion of RAS-mutant thyroid tumors and their potential diagnostic and therapeutic utility. European Thyroid Journal. 2025; 14 (3)
Doerfler, W.R., Nikitski, A.V., Keating, S., Spagnolo, D.M., Kaya, C., Morariu, E.M., French, E.K., Yip, L., Nikiforova, M.N., Nikiforov, Y.E. Reappraisal of BRAF K601E-positive thyroid tumors in the NIFTP era. Endocrine-Related Cancer. 2024; 31(12): 1.
Kurtom, S., Liu, J.B., Doerfler, W.R., Calcaterra, M., Mccoy, K.L., Sada, A., Ramonell, K.M., Carty, S.E., Nikiforova, M.N., Nikiforov, Y.E., Yip, L. Tumor size and molecular risk group are associated with differentiated thyroid cancer recurrence. Surgery. 2024
Doerfler, W.R., Nikitski, A.V., Morariu, E.M., Ohori, N.P., Chiosea, S.I., Landau, M.S., Nikiforova, M.N., Nikiforov, Y.E., Yip, L., Manroa, P. Molecular alterations in Hürthle cell nodules and preoperative cancer risk. Endocrine-Related Cancer. 2019; 28 (5): 301-309.
- Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) member, 2017
- Endocrine Society Early Career Forum Travel Award, 2023
- Outstanding Oral Abstract Trainee Award, 2023
