Professional Profiles
Victoria Bolotina, Ph.D, Professor
Dr. Bolotina is the director of the Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute’s Training Program. Trainees will focus on ion channels and mechanisms of calcium signaling in the cardiovascular system. Techniques involve patch-clamp, high-resolution, confocal and deconvolution imaging, molecular and biochemical techniques (including knock-out mice models). A particular focus is the store-operated channels and capacitative calcium influx pathways.
Christopher Akey, Ph.D, Professor
Trainees will use structural electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography to study the function of protein translocation channels (Ribosome-ER channel, Nuclear Pore complex) and chaperones that assemble the Nucleosome, Apoptosome and snRNPs.
David Atkinson, Ph.D, Professor
Trainees would have the opportunity to relate structure and function of the plasma lipoproteins and apolipoproteins. In particular, the structural and molecular basis of lipid transport and the regulation of lipid metabolism in the body are investigated by x-ray chrystallography, electron microscopy, thermodynamic and spectroscopic methods.
Emelia Benjamin, MD, Professor
Trainees with Dr. Benjamin investigate the genetics, epidemiology and prognosis of atrial fibrillation, stroke, vascular function and the relation of systemic inflammatory biomarkers to cardiovascular disease. Combinations of analytical biochemistry, imaging modalities (vascular ultrasound), and assessment of vascular stiffness are related to sub-clinical, vascular pathology. Opportunities then exist to go back to the basic laboratory (with any of the basic faculty) to evaluate correlative findings to provide proof-of-principle. Many collaborations exist that will benefit trainees including Drs. Freedman, Vita, and Farrer.
David Center, MD, Professor
Trainees will benefit from expertise in IL-16, discovered by Dr. Center. Ongoing studies involve the functional characteristic of Pro-IL-16 as a cell cycle suppressor by increasing levels of the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor p27 by repression of the gene for Skp2, a member of the ubiquitin ligase protein degradation complex. Collaborative opportunities exist for IL-16 investigation in vascular disease. Dr. Center has a long-standing T32 program that has agreed to continue to collaborate with the current program to share teaching in basic science techniques, biostatistics and grant writing seminars.
Aram Chobanian, MD, Professor and President emeritus, Executive Committee
Dr.Chobanian has been a Professor of Medicine at Boston University since 1971 and was the founder of the current training grant program. He was the Director of the Cardiovascular Institute from 1974-1992 and later was Dean of the Medical School. He is also the past President of Boston University. His past administrative and scientific experiences are unique and provide invaluable insight into the needs of the trainees, mentors, issues of recruitment, and teaching.
Richard Cohen, MD, Professor, Executive Committee
Dr. Cohen is the Director of the Vascular Biology Unit and trainees in his laboratory will be involved in a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of basic and translational mechanisms of redox control of vascular function. This will include approaches utilizing the Cardiovascular Proteomics Center which is also directed by Dr. Cohen.
Wilson Colucci, MD, Professor
Trainees in the Colucci Laboratory investigate the signaling mechanisms that mediate the development of myocardial remodeling and failure. Work is performed both in vitro in cardiac myocytes or in vivo in mouse and rat models of myocardial remodeling. Trainees would focus on signaling molecules that regulate cardiac myocyte phenotype, and in particular, the role of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in the regulation of myocyte growth, apoptosis and function.
Barbara Corkey, Ph.D, Professor
The Corkey laboratory is in engaged in metabolic research, with a particular focus on signal transduction. Projects in metabolic regulation have been ongoing since 1980 and include work in ß-cells, adipose tissue, liver, and human fibroblasts, from subjects with diabetes and inborn errors of metabolism.
Isabel Dominguez, MD, Assistant Professor
Our research interest is to understand the cascade of intracellular events that leads to the activation of Wnt signaling and the biological role of the Wnt pathway during organ development and maintenance.
Douglas Faller, MD, Ph.D, Professor
Trainees will benefit from the study of basic molecular and cellular biology of virus- and oncogene-transformed cells and tumors. Abnormal proliferation is a common feature of cardiovascular disease, and Dr. Faller has produced new information regarding the transduction of growth factor signals by second messenger systems in both normal and transformed cells. This work interacts with the study of redox-mediated, polyploidizatin in the Ravid laboratory. Dr. Faller also oversees an Oncobiology T32 program.
Lindsey Farrer, Ph.D, Professor
Dr. Farrer is a genetic epidemiologist, board-certified medical geneticist, and an expert in identifying genes for both rare and complex disorders. He has directed several large multi-center genetic studies in Alzheimer disease, Waardenburg syndrome and metabolic syndrome and trainees may participate in his ongoing programs.
Jane Freedman, MD, Professor
Former director of the program, Dr. Freedman is a practicing clinician whose own laboratory has both a basic scientific component that investigates basic mechanisms of cardiovascular disease and a second laboratory which extends these findings using high-throughput techniques to determine the clinical relevance of many of the basic findings. Both laboratories extensively collaborate with other investigators (>20 groups) both at BUSM, outside institutions, and industry.
Haralambos Gavras, MD, Professor
Trainees will be involved in studies on the therapeutics and genetics of hypertension. These involve interaction of bradykinin receptors and the angiotensin converting enzyme and its effects on ischemic heart disease and renal sodium handling. Trainees also investigate α2-adrenergic receptor contribution to salt-dependent or rennin-dependent hypertension as well as gene expression in target organ tissues of animals and humans with various types of hypertension. An important collaboration includes ongoing work with the Genetics section (Dr. Farrer).
Caroline Genco, Ph.D, Professor
Dr. Genco’s laboratory is involved in bridging inflammation, infection and atherosclerosis. Specifically, trainees will be involved in understanding innate immunity, pathogens, and athero-thrombosis. She has previous collaborated with Dr. Freedman examining infectious and pathogen triggers for unstable coronary syndromes and novel mechanisms of thrombosis.
Noyan Gokce, MD, Associate Professor
Trainees will evaluate the utility of assessing endothelial function as a surrogate for short-term and long-term cardiovascular risk. Other studies focus on characterizing the relationship between adipose issue and its impact on the vascular system using clinical methods. Trainees will also work actively with Drs. Ruderman, Corkey, and Vita.
Naomi Hamburg, MD Assistant Professor
Dr. Hamburg performs clinical and epidemiological research that examines the vascular consequences of insulin resistance and diabetes. Her trainees have the opportunity to complete translational and interventions studies that examine mechanisms endothelial dysfunction in human subjects and to work with the Framingham Heart Study investigators on relevance of endothelial dysfunction to risk factors and cardiovascular events. Dr. Hamburg’s trainees have the opportunity to collaborate closely with Drs. Vita, Gokce, Hamburg, Vasan, Walsh, Cohen, and Ruderman.
James Hamilton, Ph.D, Professor
Dr. Hamilton’s laboratory is developing and applying novel physical approaches to study of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. In newer studies, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is applied to examine fat tissue and atherosclerosis in animal model systems (mouse and rabbit) and humans.
Joshua Hare, MD, Professor, Advisory Committee
Dr. Hare has broad scientific expertise in heart failure, stem cells, and myoctye biology. He directs the Stem Cell Institute at the University of Miami and has extensive administrative and mentoring expertise. He will provide assistance in these areas as well as in general and minority recruitment.
Victoria Herrera, MD, Professor
Dr. Herrera’s laboratory studies the basic molecular mechanisms regulated hypertension.
Angela Jefferson, MD, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Neurology
Dr. Jefferson investigates cognitive function and impairment with a specific interest in these areas in patients with cardiovascular disease.
Michael Kirber, Ph.D, Associate Professor
Trainees interacting with Dr. Kirber will benefit from the development of advanced fluorescence imaging technology for biomedical applications. He has designed and constructed a two-photon confocal microscope with very high-speed, wide-field fluorescence imaging that affords two-photon confocal images to be acquired at frame rates in excess of 500 frames per second for real-time assessment of key physiological events such as protein phosphorylation. Dr. Kirber has active collaborations with Drs. Bolotina, Freedman, and Cohen.
Michael LaValley, Ph.D, Professor
Dr. LeValley directs the statistical course and has made himself available for general questions and consultation by the trainees on statistical matters.
William Lehman, Ph.D, Professor
Post-doctoral work in this program involves the structural interactions of protein components of actin-containing muscle thin filaments using a combination of high-resolution electron microscopy and 3D image reconstruction. The aim is to elucidate mechanisms regulating contractility in cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscles and determine corresponding contractile dysfunction in disease.
Steven Lentz, MD, Ph.D, Professor, Advisory Committee
Dr. Lentz is an expert in understanding the interface between coagulation, thrombosis and atherosclerosis using basic and translational techniques. He is a Professor and Chief at the University of Iowa with experience directing a training program and is available for issues of recruitment and as an external site for scientific interaction.
Joseph Loscalzo, MD, Ph.D, Professor, Advisory Committee
Dr. Loscalzo has expertise in a wide range of research in cardiovascular disease. He also has administrative and clinical expertise as the Chairman of the Department of Medicine. He is the previous Director of the Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute at BUSM.
James McKnight, Ph.D, Associate Professor
This lab studies the structural aspects of protein folding and the assembly of protein lipid complexes. Specifically, the assembly of the VLDL and LDL have been highlighted using NMR, X-ray crystallography, and other techniques.
Francisco Naya, Ph.D, Assistant Professor
His tries to understand the transcriptional pathways involved in the differentiation of cardiac and skeletal muscle. He the MEF2 transcription factor family since these factors have been shown to play important roles in muscle differentiation. They employ a variety of cell and molecular techniques such as transgenic mice, microarray, and chromatin immunoprecipitation to delineate the specific function of MEF2 factors in cardiac gene regulation.
Katya Ravid, Ph.D, Professor, Executive Committee
Dr. Ravid’s laboratory has expertise in megakaryocyte/platelet biology and vascular biology. She also directs the Pre-doctoral Cardiovascular Training Grant and the Transgenic Core Facility.
Vasan Ramachandran, MD, Professor
Trainees with Dr. Ramachandran will relate biomarkers of pathways and variation in candidate genes to echocardiographic phenotypes, vascular function and clinical vascular outcomes including heart failure. Thus, trainees will determine genotype-phenotype correlations to delineate the role of oxidative stress, inflammation and growth factors in pathology. Opportunities then exist to go back to the basic laboratory (with any of the basic faculty) to evaluate correlative findings to provide proof-of-principle. This approach has already proven fruitful with an ongoing collaboration with Drs. Freedman and Benjamin.
Frederick Ruberg, MD, Assistant Professor
His research interest is in the application of MRI-based techniques, including MR spectroscopy, to quantify lipid (fat) deposition within the heart and vasculature as it relates to cardiac and vascular dysfunction. He also has a strong interest in amyloid cardiomyopathy, and the utility of cardiac MR in the diagnosis and management of this disease.
Neil Ruderman, MD, Professor
Dr. Ruderman’s laboratory has had a long-standing interest in how disorders of fuel metabolism cause disease. His research focused on mechanisms by which exercise could alter fuel metabolism and in doing so diminish the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes and its vascular complications. In recent years this interest has led him to study two molecules, AMPK and SIRT1, and the hypothesis that their dysregulation could be a cause of the metabolic syndrome and a target for its therapy.
Nelson Ruiz-Opazo, Ph.D, Professor
Trainees will be involved in rat models of polygenic hypertension, such as the Dahl S rat model, to identify susceptibility genes for polygenic hypertension. These studies also involved gender-specific analyses using F2-intercross cohorts for both males and females and 24-hour, non-stress, radiotelemetric measurements of blood pressure. Trainees will pursue ongoing results from total genome scans that have identified gender-specific quantitative trait loci for hypertension and its sequelae.
David Salant, MD, Professor
Trainees in Dr. Salant’s laboratory will investigate experimental models of immunological glomerular diseases and autoimmunity resembling those seen in man are used to obtain a fundamental understanding of the immunopathogenetic mechanisms of injury.
Flora Sam, MD, Associate Professor
Dr. Sam’s research is focused on studying pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic mechanisms that mediate cardiac remodeling in heart failure and hypertension. A current focus is to understand the role of aldosterone in mediating the myocyte phenotype in cardiac remodeling. She studies these mechanisms by using cultured cardiac myocytes (in vitro) and genetically-modified mice (in vivo), to determine the relationship between molecular/cellular events involved in cardiac remodeling and the changes in physiological function that can be assessed at the single myocyte and whole heart level in genetically-modified mice
Orian Shirihai, Ph.D, Associate Professor
The lab is focused on the study of mitochondrial biology and physiology with special interest in mitochondrial bioenergetics and dynamics. The lab explores the biology of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. These investigations are utilize advanced imaging techniques that were developed by the lab.
Donald Small, Ph.D, Professor
Trainees will investigate the fundamental mechanism(s) by which apolipoprotein B (apoB) is translated and translocated across the endoplasmic reticulum and assembled with lipids to form a nascent lipoprotein particle. Trainees also analyze the physical properties of lipids, fats, oils, detergents, proteins and lipid-protein assemblies and how these properties may influence the vascular wall.
Ross Summer, MD, Assistant Professor
Trainees investigate the molecular interaction between lung and adipose tissue and the role that adipocyte dysfunction plays in the development of lung disease. One specific area on interest is on the adipocyte-derived factor adiponectin. Findings indicate that disruption in adiponectin signaling leads to emphysema-like changes and to pulmonary hypertension in mice. Currently, my laboratory is investigating the cellular targets and the downstream signaling pathways mediating adiponectin’s effects in lung.
Joseph Vita, MD, Professor, Executive Committee
Dr. Vita oversees an NIH-funded program of clinical and translational research that examines mechanisms and clinical relevance of endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular disease. His recent studies have focused on mechanisms of vascular dysfunction in the patients with obesity and diabetes mellitus He has close collaborative relationships with basic scientists at BUSM, including Drs. Freedman, Walsh, Shirihai, Cohen, and Ruderman. Dr. Vita also works closely with epidemiologists at the Framingham Heart Study, including Drs. Vasan, Benjamin, and Hamburg. Dr. Vita runs a unique clinical and research training program designed to train future academic leaders in the field of Vascular Medicine that is funded as a K12 grant. Dr. Vita has considerable experience with the design and conduct of multi-center clinical trials. He served on the planning committees and was a clinical site for a number of clinical trials including ASPIRE, CARATS, PACT, TACT, and DIVA. He was involved in the study design and currently serves on the DSMB for CLEVER, an NIH-funded clinical trial for the management of PAD. Dr. Vita works closely with Dr. Wiviott at TIMI Group and serves on Clinical Event Committees for ExTRACT, TRITON, IMPROVE-IT, ATLAS, ATLAS-II, TRAP2°P, SEPIA, AVANTE GARDE, ENGAGE, SOLID, and SAVOR. Dr. Vita’s trainees have the opportunity to obtain training in the conduct of translational research, epidemiology, and clinical trials and to work closely with other mentors at BUSM and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Kenneth Walsh, Ph.D, Professor, Executive Committee
Research in the Walsh laboratory focuses on signaling- and transcriptional-regulatory mechanisms that control normal and pathological tissue growth in the cardiovascular system. Many of these studies involve analyses of the PI3-kinase/Akt/GSK/Forkhead signaling axis, which is of critical importance in the regulation of organ growth and body size. Signaling through this pathway controls cellular enlargement (hypertrophy), cell death (apoptosis), and blood vessel recruitment and growth (angiogenesis). His laboratory has constructed numerous transgenic mouse strains to examine these signaling pathways in vivo Recently this laboratory has extended its research program to study how metabolic dysfunction contributes to cardiovascular pathology at a molecular level.
Stephen Wiviott, MD, Assistant Professor
As an investigator with the prestigious Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) Study Group, Dr. Wiviott plays an important role in the planning, implementation and interpretation of several multicenter, national and international clinical trials. He has played leadership roles in the JUMBO – TIMI 26 trial and the TRITON – TIMI 38 trial the major phase 2 and phase 3 trials of prasugrel a third generation thienopyridine. He was the Principal Investigator of PRINCIPLE – TIMI 44, a study comparing high-dose clopidogrel with prasugrel in patients undergoing PCI and of the TIMI 38 Coronary Stent Registry, an ongoing international registry of the long-term outcomes of patients receiving different types of intracoronary stents for acute coronary syndromes. He serves as the physician chairman of the TIMI Clinical Events Committee.
Joyce Wong, Ph.D, Assistant Professor
Her research interests lie in developing biomaterial systems for the detection and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Specifically, our focus lies in developing contrast agents to detect vulnerable plaque and atherosclerosis and vascular tissue engineering of vascular patches.
Zang Mengwei, MD, Ph.D, Assistant Professor
AMP-activated protein kinase and NAD-dependent deacetylase, Sirtuin (SIRT1) in the control of energy metabolism, diabetes and atherosclerosis.
Vassilis Zannis, Ph.D, Professor
Trainees in Dr. Zannis’ laboratory study transcriptional regulation of the human apolipoprotein genes in vivo using both transgenic mouse models and recombinant viral-mediated gene transfer. Trainees also investigate the roles of apoE and apoA-I in cholesterol and triglyceride homeostasis and of how apoE impacts Alzheimer’s disease.