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Rajani Aatre, MS, CGC
Genetic Counselor Senior
Rajani Aatre is a Senior Genetic Counselor in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and a member of the MI-AORTA Program and Inherited Cardiomyopathy Program at the Frankel Cardiovascular Center. She is also part of the Pediatric Cardiogenetic Clinic at Mott Children's Hospital.
She received her bachelor’s degree from University of Delhi, New Delhi, India, and two master's degrees in Cell and Molecular Biology from Dalhousie University, Halifax Canada, and in human genetics (Genetic Counseling) from Sarah Lawrence College, New York.
She worked in Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Hutzel Hospital (1998-2001) and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital (2001-2005) before joining the FCVC Clinic in 2008. Her clinical work is focused on providing comprehensive care to patients with inherited cardiovascular disease and their families. Her research interests include return of research results and the application & utility of genomic medicine in health care.
Helen F and Marvin M Kirsh Professor of Cardiac Surgery, Chair, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Professor of Cardiac Surgery, Medical School and Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Medical School and College of Engineering
Dr. Ailawadi
Associate Porfession, Cardiovascular Medicine and Vascular Medcine, Holder of The James. O. Woolliscroft MD Department of Internal Medicine Early Career Endowment Award, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine
Geoffrey Barnes, MD, MSc, is a cardiologist and vascular medicine specialist at the Frankel Cardiovascular Center. He serves as fellowship director for the Vascular Medicine Fellowship program, which trains clinicians in the care of patients with aortic diseases, including aortic aneurysm and dissection. He is an NIH-funded researcher with expertise in implementation science, anticoagulation therapy, and venous thromboembolism. He is active with several national and international societies, including the Anticoagulation Forum, American College of Cardiology, International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis, and Society for Vascular Medicine.
Dr. Beaulieu
Craig Brown, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery, Medical School
I'm a first year attending vascular surgeon within the Department of Surgery at the University of Michigan. My primary clinical appointment is at the Ann Arbor VA as well as the Frankel Cardiovascular Center. I spent two years as a formal Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy Research Fellow and obtained my Master of Science in Health and Healthcare Research during the academic development time of my residency training. I have maintained a productive research portfolio since 2008, with over 50 peer-reviewed publications including 28 first-author publications. I have clinical interests in the care of patients with a broad spectrum of arterial and venous diagnoses with a particular interest in complex aortic surgery. My research interests include surgical quality improvement, payment policy, and surgical outcomes for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. I have research expertise in complex statistical methods, large database analysis and quasi-experimental methods.
Dr. Burris is a Cardiothoracic Radiologist who joined the faculty at University of Michigan in 2016, after having received his medical degree from the University of Maryland and completing residency in Diagnostic Radiology and fellowship in Cardiothoracic Radiology at UCSF. Dr. Burris additionally completed a year of dedicated post-doctorate research training at UCSF as part of the Biomedical Imaging for Clinician Scientists NIH T32 training grant.
Dr. Burris’ primary clinical and research interests are focused on advanced imaging of diseases of the aorta and aortic valve. He has investigated a variety of advanced MRI and CT techniques to improve risk assessment of patients with aortic dissection, aortic aneurysm, and aortic valve disease. Specifically, he leads several funded research projects including a project from the Radiologic Society of North America focused on the use of 4D Flow MRI in the assessment of patients with aortic dissection, and a NIH SBIR/R44 funded project focused on the development and commercialization of a novel technique for an accurate, three-dimensional assessment of aortic aneurysm growth (vascular deformation mapping). He is a lead Radiologist for the Multidisciplinary Aorta Program (MAP), transcatheter aortic valve (TAVR) and MATRIx (Mitral/Tricuspid) programs and serves as the director of Aortic & Structural Heart Imaging for the Department of Radiology, as well as the Associate Director of the FCVC MI-AORTA program.
Dr. Burris serves as a reviewer for multiple top national and international scientific journals including JACC, Circulation, Radiology, and European Heart Journal. He has a high level of enthusiasm for training medical students, residents, and fellows in Cardiovascular Imaging.
Eugene Chen, MD, PhD
Frederick G L Huetwell Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, Professor of Internal Medicine, Professor of Surgery, Professor of Pharmacology, Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology
The long-term goal of my laboratory is to stimulate bench-to-bedside research that sheds light on molecular mechanisms underlying the development and progression of diabetes-induced cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and stroke. As a physician-scientist, I have made seminal contributions to advance the field of vascular biology and diabetes treatment. My original cloning of the gene for exendin-4, led to an entirely new class of drugs to treat diabetes. In the past 20 years, my team has made significant contributions to uncover the role of PPARg activation as a determinant of cardiovascular cell gene expression and function and I was among the first to define the cardiovascular roles of PPARd. In collaboration with leading geneticists, physiologists and drug development experts, I have implemented a platform at the University of Michigan to accelerate gene discovery-function-drug targeting. Of relevance to this application, in the past 10 years, we have successfully established a program at University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center to investigate the function of genes screened by our whole genome genotyping and association analysis. Genetic variants in Krüppel-like factor 14 (KLF14) are strongly associated with elevated plasma HDL levels, metabolic syndrome, and coronary artery disease. Recently, we uncovered the central role of KLF14 in lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis.
In addition, we identified that perhexiline, which is approved for treatment of angina and heart failure, could attenuate the development of atherosclerosis by regulating KLF14 (PMC4607137). These data raise the interesting possibility that activation of the KLF14 pathway may be a therapeutic target for atherosclerosis treatment. Through the approach of focusing on protein-changing allelic variations in the genetic association studies to accelerate discovery, we have identified TM6SF2 variants linked to cholesterol levels and myocardial infarction and embarked in intensive research to understand the biological role of TM6SF2 in CVD and NAFLD (PMCID: PMC4842105). Recently, we performed a GWAS of 1,351 TAA-affected individuals and 18,295 control individuals and identified a previously unpublished genome-wide significant locus in the third intron of TCF7L2. We have identified that TCF7L2 plays an important role in vascular smooth muscle cells and related to the pathogenesis of aortic aneurysm (PMID: 34265237).
Intriguingly, our collaborative project that led to the identification of TCF7L2 as a candidate gene in AAA genetics, as described in this application, has been recently published (PMID: 37845353). In this R01 application, we will engage in a systematic approach to accelerate the understanding of the physiology and pathology of novel variants in novel loci as well as the epigenetic modifications discovered to a highly refined and focused innovative genetic association approach that leverages unique resources spanning from one of the largest integrated genomic/phenotypic database in the world to our unique expertise in dissecting molecular and biological and physiological aspects of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in a highly collaborative, well established integrated team approach. In summary, the Dr. Chen has demonstrated a record of successful and productive collaborative research projects in CVD, has a well-developed and productive collaborative interaction with the Multiple-PI, Dr. Ida Surakka and the combined team Chen/Surakka have all the required expertise and resources to conduct the proposed project successfully.
Dr. Davis
Albion Walter Hewlett Professor of Internal Medicine, Professor of Internal Medicine, Medical Director, Patient Facilitated Services, Program Director, Medical School Administration, Co-Director Cardiovascular Center, Medical School and Professor of Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health
Dr. Eagle
S Martin Lindenauer Collegiate Professor of Vascular Surgery and Professor of Surgery, Medical School
Dr. Eliason is the S. Martin Lindenauer Collegiate Professor of Vascular Surgery. He completed his general surgery training at Vanderbilt University in 2002 and his vascular surgery fellowship at the University of Michigan in 2004. After completing his training he served as an active-duty vascular surgeon in the United States Air Force. He completed one overseas deployment to Balad, Iraq in the 2006-2007 timeframe under Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2007 he returned to the University of Michigan as Faculty where he has focused clinically on open and minimally invasive aortic surgery and pediatric vascular surgery.
Until 2020 he maintained an active research laboratory. He collaborated with the Department of Defense on the management of non-compressible torso hemorrhage in trauma, as well as studying the connections between tobacco smoke and e-cigarette vapor on aortic aneurysms. His current research focus is clinical in nature, focused on outcomes of minimally invasive and open surgical treatments of aortic disease. He is a Past-President of the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Society (VESS) and serves in leadership as the Co-Director of MI-AORTA. He has a strong emphasis on surgical education, receiving the Arnold Coran teaching award for medical student education in 2023 and the Faculty Excellence in teaching award for vascular trainees in 2019 and 2023.
Alberto Figueroa, PhD
Edward B Dietrich M.D. Research Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Vascular Surgery, Professor of Surgery, Medical School and Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Medical School and College of Engineering
Dr. Figueroa received his PhD Mechanical Engineering at Standford University, where he developed computational methods for simulating fluid structure interactions between blood and blood vessels. His first academic appointment was at King’s College London in the UK, where he was Senior Lecturer in the Division of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences. Dr. Figueroa is currently Edward B. Diethrich M.D. Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Vascular Surgery, Senior Associate Chair of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan, and Thematic Director of the FCVC Cardiovascular Research Network (CRN).
Dr. Figueroa’s laboratory is focused on the following main areas: 1) developing tools for advanced modeling of blood flow which combine advanced imaging, machine learning, and computational methods of fluid and solid mechanics. His group develops the modeling software CRIMSON (www.crimson.software); 2) studying the link between abnormal biomechanical stimuli and cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and thrombosis; 3) simulation-based surgical planning to aid with the optimal planning of cardiovascular surgeries.
Dr. Ford joined the Rheumatology division at Michigan Medicine in 2020, after completing internal medicine residency and rheumatology fellowship at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA. Dr. Ford works alongside her mentor Dr. Ora Gewurz-Singer in the Aortitis program within MI-AORTA.
Jenny Frick, MS
Frankel CVC Research Administrator
Jennifer Frick is the FCVC Research Administrator. Jennifer’s commitment to scientific inquiry and patient care improvement has led her to participate in numerous groundbreaking research studies and clinical trials. She now focuses on administering large multidisciplinary, multi mission spanning cardiovascular programs at the CVC.
Jennifer is a respected leader at the FCVC, sharing her knowledge and passion for cardiovascular research administration with the next generation of healthcare professionals. She actively engages in mentoring and coaching activities to inspire others to discover and pursue their professional goals.
Jennifer’s contributions to the Frankel Cardiovascular Center exemplify her dedication to advancing cardiovascular research and improving patient care and outcomes. Her expertise, passion, and collaborative spirit continue to drive innovation and foster a culture of excellence within the center.
John R Pfeifer Collegiate Professor of Vascular Surgery, Associate Chair, Department of Vascular Surgery Section, Professor of Surgery and Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School
Dr. Gallagher
David J Pinsky M.D. Professor in Cardiovascular Medicine, Professor of Internal Medicine. Professor of Human Genetics and Program Director, Internal Medicine, Medical School
Dr. Ganesh studies the genetic and molecular basis of cardiovascular traits and diseases. She completed undergraduate and medical school at Northwestern University, after which she trained in Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan and Cardiology fellowship at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. She completed her postdoctoral fellowships the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute/ National Human Genome Research Institute and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Institute of Genetic Medicine.
Her laboratory currently employs genetic and genomic analysis methods to identify and study genetic mechanisms of arterial diseases in both adult and pediatric populations, including diseases with notable sex differences in disease manifestation such as fibromuscular dysplasia, arterial aneurysm and dissection, and hypertension. Her lab has had continuous extramural funding, and she has over 90 peer reviewed manuscripts. She has mentored both basic and clinically-oriented trainees in her laboratory.
Ora Gewurz-Singer, MD MS is an associate Professor of Rheumatology in the Department of Internal Medicine. She completed her medical training in NEW York City graduating from NYU Medical School and completing residency and fellowship at Cornell and Hospital for Special Surgery respectively. She has a master's degree in Clinical Research from Cornell University.
Dr. Singer has a clinical and research interest in vasculitis and serves as the Director of the Michigan Medicine Vasculitis Program and is a member of the Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium (VCRC). She enjoys cooking, running and spending time with her husband and 4 sons.
Dean Emeritus, School of Health Professions and Studies, The University of Michigan-Flint and Professor Emeritus and Medical Director of Pathology, Medical School
Dr. Gordon
Dr. Greineder
Yanhong Guo, MD, PhD
Research Assistant Professor, Internal Medicine, Medical School
Dr. Guo joined Michigan Medicine in 2008 and is currently a Research Assistant Professor at the Frankel Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical School. Her research aims to understand the molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm, and develop new therapeutic strategies for treating vascular diseases.
Barbara Hamilton, M.D., is a clinical assistant professor of adult cardiac surgery specializing in aortic surgery, aortic valve disease, transcatheter aortic valve replacement, endovascular therapies, and coronary revascularization. She is known for her excellent outcomes and dedicated patient care.
Dr. Hamilton’s research focuses on human factors research related to achieving surgical peak performance. She also studies the implications for cardiothoracic surgery due to a lack of gender diversity and an aging surgeon population, as well as outcomes research in adult cardiac surgery.
She is a wonderful mentor to trainees, setting an outstanding example through her strong work ethic. She is an active member of Women in Thoracic Surgery, the CVSA Early Career Committee of the Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia, the Wellness Task Force of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and other professional societies.
Dr. Hamilton is a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, received her Bachelor of Music from McGill University followed by a residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts, advanced studies at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, her Master of Music from Manhattan School of Music, her medical degree from Columbia University and a master’s degree in epidemiology and biostatistics from the University of California. She completed her general surgery residency at the University of California, San Francisco, remaining there for her fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery. She came to Michigan Medicine for advanced training in complex aortic surgery, after which she joined the faculty. She has been supported throughout these endeavors by her husband Tim and their two wonderful children, William and Elizabeth.
Dr. Robert Hawkins joined the University of Michigan Department of Cardiac Surgery in August of 2021. He was raised in Connecticut and Virginia before completing undergraduate studies in Neuroscience at Middlebury College in Vermont. He then attended the University of Colorado for medical school where he received awards including for best surgical student. He completed his thoracic surgical training at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. He spent two years performing basic science research with Dr. Ailawadi examining the mechanisms of thoracic aortic aneurysm development. In addition, he obtained a masters in clinical research from the University of Virginia and helped grow the health services research program. During his training he was recognized with multiple awards for his research and teaching.
His clinical research spans cardiac surgery disciplines including coronary revascularization, valve replacement, aortic replacement, mechanical circulatory support and transplantation. His basic science research focuses on the micro-RNA pathways of thoracic aortic aneurysm formation. He has published over 150 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 30 invited editorials, reviews for multiple cardiothoracic surgical journals, and is an Associate Statistical Editor at the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.
Dr. Hawkins has clinical interests in complex coronary revascularization and helps lead a new multidisciplinary team to provide patients with personalized revascularization strategies. He performs both transcatheter and surgical valve replacements, including with minimally invasive approaches. He has an interest in heart failure and optimizing surgical approaches for these often high-risk patients.
Dr. Hawkins is a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, American College of Surgeons, Association of VA Surgeons and Michigan Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons. In his leisure time, he enjoys the outdoors, skiing, running, cycling and spending time with his wife Lauren and two sons.
Leland Ira Doan Research Professor of Vascular Surgery, Professor of Surgery, Section Head and Service Chief, Vascular Surgery Section, Medical School
Peter Henke has been a University of Michigan faculty since July 2000. He rose to Professor of Surgery in 2009 and retains the Leland Ira Doan Research Professor of Surgery endowed chair, and is the Section Head of Vascular Surgery since 2020. He is co-director of the statewide quality collaborative, BMC2. He is the past Associate Chair for Research for the Department of Surgery, and past Chief of Surgery at the Ann Arbor VA Hospital. His research interests include a focus on vascular medicine, DVT risk assessment, and translational research related to venous thrombosis resolution and vein wall injury, which is supported by an R01. He has served on numerous NIH study sections, several DSMBs, as well as the VA surgery study section. Nationally, he is past Associate Editor for Journal of Vascular Surgery, a current Associate Editor for Annals of Vascular Surgery, and has held positions in the Midwestern Vascular Surgical Society, the Central Surgical Association, the Society for Vascular Surgery, and the American Venous Forum, where he served as its President in 2014. He is the current PVD Council Chair of the AHA.
Dr. Hofmann is a physician, a scientist, and an accomplished sutdent mentor who strives to combine translational research with clinical care. She was trained in Germany and obtained both MD and PhD degrees from Heidelberg University where she gained a deeper understanding of diabetes-mediated vascular inflammation during a year-long postdoctoral research fellowship in the laboratory of Ann Marie Schmidt at Columbia University in New York.
Dr. Hofmann then applied her knowledge in vascular biology to her clinical work as a general cardiologist, specifically for the care of patients with aortic aneurysms. After the completion of an internal medicine residency at Northshore University Hospital in Long Island, NY, she trained in cardiovascular medicine at the University of Chicago under the mentorship of Dr. Elizabeth McNally. There she became the Driector of the Aortic Clinic at the University of Chicago Medical Center from 2014-2018. In 2018, Dr. Hofmann became a faculty member at the Frankel Cardiovascular Center at the University of Michigan in the Department of Internal Medicine. Her expertise in aortic diseases led to her appointment as an Executive Director of the MI-AORTA program, and as the principal investigator for the CHIP biorepository, a long-term investment of the Frankel Cardiovascular Center.
Zhonggang Hou, PhD
Research Investigator, Biological Chemistry, Medical School
Zhonggang Hou
Lauren Humphrey-Stark, BS
Clinical Research Coordinator
Lauren Humphrey-Stark
Amanda Kasperek, BSN, CCRP
Clinical Research Coordinator Lead, Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan
Amanda received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Eastern Michigan University and practiced as a registered nurse for 12 years prior to coming to University of Michigan. She now has over 10 years of clinical research experience at UofM, currently as the Lead Clinical Research Coordinator for the Department of Cardiac Surgery and the REMEDY research team. In her current role she leads a team of research coordinators, overseeing a large portfolio of clinical research trials.
David M Williams M.D. Research Professor, Professor of Radiology, Professor of Cardiac Surgery, Program Associate of IR-DR Residency, Department of Radiology, Medical School
Dr. Minhajuddin Khaja
Donald Likosky, PhD
Richard and Norma Sarns Research Professor of Cardiac Surgery, Section Head, Health Services Quality and Research and Professor of Cardiac Surgery, Medical School
Dr. Likosky
Nageswara R. Madamanchi, PhD
Research Scientist, Internal Medicine, Medical School
Dr. Madamanchi's laboratory is dedicated to studying the effects of oxidative stress on cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, ahterosclerosis, stress cardiomyapathy, abdominal aortic anuerysms, and heart failure with preserved ejection. Inflammatory and cardiovascular cells are mainly affected by reactive oxygen species, which are produced by various forms of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NADPH oxidase) enzyme and dysfunctional mitochondria. We are conducting research using genetically modified mouse models to identify the key NADPH oxidases that regulate oxidative stress, including mitochondrial oxidative stress, in the cardiovascular system. Our ultimate goal is to find therapeutic targets to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases.
Jen McNamara, MS
Administrative Manager
Jen McNamara is the MI-AORTA Administrative Manager at the University of Michigan. With a wealth of experience spanning over 10 years, Jen has established herself as a dedicated professional in the field of aortic research. Jen received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Indiana University. Throughout her tenure at the University of Michigan, Jen has showcased her expertise in managing and coordinating research projects related to aortic studies and biorepositories. Her exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail have enabled her to successfully oversee various aspects of research administration, ensuring the smooth operation of projects from start to finish.
Katelyn Monaghan, BS
MD Candidate, University of Michigan Medical School
Katelyn Monaghan is a medical student working with Dr. Bo Yang on clinical research projects in aortic and aortic valve disease. She has a particular interest in Y-incision aortic annular enlargement, acute type A aortic dissection, and exploring the effects of sex differences in cardiovascular disease.
Pediatric Cardiology Clinical Instructor, Department of Pediatrics & Communicable Diseases
Dr. Meisner completed his MD and PhD at the University of Virginia and did his pediatric and cardiology training at the University of Michigan. During his fellowship training he benefited from the excellence of the University of Michigan cardiovascular genetics program. His clinical focus is on cardiovascular genetics and bringing novel and cutting-edge therapeutics to rare pediatric disease in the clinic and through his translational research laboratory. He continues to expand the Pediatric Cardiovascular Genetics Program at the University of Michigan providing care in the multidisciplinary hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, muscular dystrophy, cardiovascular genetics and aortopathy, and RASopathy clinics. He additionally runs a translational research laboratory utilizing induced pluripotent stem cell cardiomyocyte and innovative mouse models to understand the pathophysiology and clinical course that leads to cardiomyopathy in children and young adults. Dr. Meisner works closely with Frankel Cardiovascular Center’s Comprehensive Aortic Program to provide consistent, high-level care across the age span of aortic diseases at the University of Michigan.
Dogukan Mizrak, PhD
Research Assistant Professor, Surgery, Medical School
Dogukan Mizrak
Daniel Myers, DVM, MPH, DACLAM
Conrad and Caroline Jobst Research Professor of Vascular Surgery, Professor of Surgery, Professor of Laboratory Animal Medicine and Veterinarian, Laboratory Animal Medicine, Medical School
Dr. Myers
Dr. Nordsletten received his Bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering and Mathematics at the University of Minnesota and DPhil at the University of Oxford. Following his Ph.D., Dr. Nordsletten spent one year as a post-doctoral researcher and research assistant splitting time between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Oxford. In 2010, Dr. Nordsletten started a faculty position as an Assistant Professor at King’s College London. He joined the University of Michigan in January 2019 as an Associate Professor and is a Reader in cardiovascular biomechanics at King’s College London.
Nicholas Osborne is the Ramon Berguer, M.D., Ph.D. Research Professor of Vascular Surgery at Michigan Medicine and the Chief of Surgery at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. He is an Associate Professor of Surgery and Associate program Director for the vascular surgery training programs.
Dr. Osborne graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a B.S. in Microbiology in 2001. He subsequently attended Dartmouth Medical School and graduated in 2005. He completed his general surgery residency at the University of Michigan between 2005 and 2012. During his training, he spent two years as a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar, pursuing research on hospital and surgical quality, as well as health disparities under the mentorship of Dr. Birkmeyer and Dr. Dimick. He then completed a vascular surgery fellowship at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 2014. His clinical interests include the treatment of complex aortic aneurysms and aortic pathology with both open and endovascular techniques (including open abdominal and thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair, and endovascular repair using complex branched grafts, fenestrated grafts and physician modified endografts), peripheral artery disease (including open bypass procedures and complex endovascular revascularization), and cerebrovascular disease (treated with both open carotid endarterectomy, vertebral arty surgery and carotid stenting).
His research interests include understanding the factors associated with the adoption of new technology in the treatment of vascular disease, measuring the appropriateness of care in vascular disease and leading quality improvement across large multi-specialty collaboratives for cardiovascular disease. Dr. Osborne has a served as Director of BMC2 Vascular Surgery and recently was named the Director the entire BMC2 collaborative, a statewide continuous quality improvement collaborative focused on improving the care of cardiovascular disease patients across the state of Michigan. He is a member of the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. Dr. Osborne has expertise in complex statistical methods and using large databases to examine variation in the care and the quality of care in the United States. He has received both an American Heart Association Career Development Award and an NIH K08 award. His primary focus has been to examine physician and patient decision-making and determine the real-world long-term outcomes of Medical, Endovascular and Surgical treatment of PAD. Dr. Osborne has published in high-profile journals including, the New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, Journal of the American Heart Association, Journal of Vascular Surgery, and Medical Care. Dr. Osborne is the current chair of the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Appropriateness Committee and serves as a member of the SVS Vascular Quality Initiative Executive Board.
Stefanie Peters, FACHE, MPA, LMSW
Chief Administrative Officer - Cardiovascular Center CAO
Stefanie Peters
Aaron Stern Professor of Pediatric Cardiology and Professor of Pediatrics, Medical School
After Medical School at Duke University, Dr. Russell did his pediatric training at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore where he had the pleasure of learning from many outstanding physicians and educators including Dr. Hal Dietz who was doing a fellowship in Genetics at the time. He moved to Ann Arbor to pursue a fellowship in Pediatric Cardiology where he began a research project on the genetics of Long QT syndrome, a familial disorder that can cause sudden death. His mentor, Dr. Francis Collins, was recruited to the NIH to head the Human Genome Project and Dr. Russell went with him for two years to continue my training in Cardiovascular Genetics. Since completing his fellowship, he has helped to develop a robust Pediatric Cardiovascular Genetics Program here at the University of Michigan which includes aortopathies and connective tissue disorders, inherited cardiomyopathies and muscular dystrophies. In 2011, togehter with Pediatric Geneticist Mark Hannibal and Genetic Counselor Rajani Aatre, they established a Pediatric Cardiovascular Genetics Clinic which specializes in the evaluation and management of aortopathies and connective tissue disorders. Dr. Russell has worked closely with the Frankel Cardiovascular Center’s Comprehensive Aortic Program to provide consistent, high-level care across the age span of aortic diseases at the University of Michigan.
Morgan Salmon, PhD
Research Assistant Professor, Surgery, Medical School
Dr. Salmon
Eliza Tsou, PhD
Frederick G.L. Huetwell Research Professor in Rheumatology, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
Dr. Tsou is the Frederick G.L. Huetwell Research Professor in Rheumatology and an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan. Her cross-disciplinary research interests focus on vascular changes in autoimmune diseases, with a specialty in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Dr. Tsou's research centers on the challenging isolation and culture of endothelial cells from skin biopsies of SSc patients. This innovation not only advances understanding of the disease's pathogenesis but also positions her lab as a leader in the SSc vascular field. Utilizing advanced techniques such as ATAC-seq and DNA methylation analysis, she has highlighted the role of epigenetic regulation and identified key pathways involved in fibrosis and angiogenesis. Recent insights into endothelial cell senescence from SSc patients, supported by experimental validation and bioinformatics analysis, have further expanded knowledge of the disease. Dr. Tsou co-directs the University of Michigan Scleroderma biorepository, a valuable resource for ongoing and future research, housing extensive patient samples and clinical data. Her work fosters significant collaborations and drives new research directions within the scientific community.
Zhong Wang, PhD
Professor of Cardiac Surgery, Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Michigan - Medical School
Dr. Zhong Wang is a tenured Professor at University of Michigan. Professor Wang went to Fudan University for his Bachelor’s degree in 1990, then obtained a Master Degree from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1993. Dr. Wang studied with Dr. Matthew S. Sachs and received his Ph.D. in 2000 from OGI School of Science and Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University. He joined the laboratory of Dr. Robert Tjian at University of California – Berkeley as a postdoctoral fellow in 1999. Dr. Zhong Wang has been a faculty member at Harvard Medical School and University of Michigan since 2005. Dr. Wang was granted his tenure at University of Michigan in 2015.
The long-term goal of the Wang laboratory is to develop heart therapies to effectively prolong and improve the life of heart patients. To achieve this goal, the laboratory focuses on epigenetic regulation in heart disease, heart repair, and heart regeneration. Dr. Wang has been a faculty member in the Department of Cardiac Surgery, in Frankel Cardiovascular Center, the Cell and Molecular Biology PhD program, the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cell Plasticity Organ Design, and Center for Advanced Models and Translational Sciences and Therapeutics at University of Michigan. Doctors and postdoc fellows trained in Dr. Wang laboratory are now professors at Universities at both US and China, senior directors and researchers at US Pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/cardiac-surgery/zhong-wang-phd
Marion and David Handleman Research Professor Vascular Surgery, Associate Professor of Surgery, Associate Chair, Department of Vascular Surgery and Ambulatory Care Clinical Chief, Medical School
Dr. Vemuri
Priyanka completed her PhD in 2019 at Banaras Hindu University, India. During her thesis work, she investigated the immunological mechanisms associated with pregnancy loss. She joined Scerolab as a postdoctoral fellow in July 2021. Her current research involves the use of bleomycin-induced fibrosis mouse models, human disease samples, and 3D skin organoids to determine the role of the meta-organismal TMA/FMO3/TMAO pathway and immune abnormalities in fibrosis and scleroderma. She is also studying how various pharmacological inhibitors mitigate fibrotic phenotypes in the aforementioned models.
Professor Emeritus of Radiology and Professor Emeritus of Internal Medicine-Cardiology, Medical School
Dr. Williams
Elise Woxnicki, BS, CCRP
IRAD Project Manager, University of Michigan
Elise Woznicki is the project manager for the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection. She works with a dedicated team of clinicians, scientists, and coordinators to enroll patients with acute aortic dissection presenting to aortic centers of excellence across the globe. Together, they have established the largest ever repository of dissection cases, enabling better understanding of the history, presentation, management, and outcomes associated with this devastating disease. As the coordinating center, the University of Michigan provides direct oversight of the data management and publications processes that ensure our findings continue to impact patient care across the globe.
Jie Xu, PhD
Research Associate Professor, Internal Medicine, Medical School
Dr. Xu obtained his Ph.D. of reproductive physiology from the University of Connecticut in 2002, where he studied animal cloning and telomere biology. As one of the first wave researchers adapting the gene editing tools in biomedical research, Dr. Xu has led multiple projects in generating novel preclinical animal models, including immunodeficient rabbits and cystic fibrosis rabbits at the University of Michigan. He has also made contributions to improve the gene editing tool. In one project, Dr. Xu and colleagues developed a novel Cas9 variant miCas9 that brings improved efficacy and safety to gene editing.
Frankel Research Professor of Aortic Surgery, J Maxwell Chamberlain M.D. Collegiate Professor of Cardiac Surgery and Professor of Cardiac Surgery, Medical School
Dr. Yang joined the Department of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Michigan in July 2011 after completing his Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship at Stanford University. His clinical expertise spans the range of complex aortic surgical procedures to treat aortic pathology from aortic root to the femoral arteries (including open and TEVAR), and adult cardiac procedures for patients with aortic aneurysm and dissections, such as bicuspid aortic valve, Marfan’s Syndrome, Loeys-Dietz Syndrome, familial thoracic aortic aneurysm.
Dr. Yang has been very productive in basic science research and clinical research. He and his team use patient’s induced pleuripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to model the thoracic aortic aneurysm and study the mechanism of aortic aneurysm in bicuspid aortic valve and in patients with known mutations, such as Loeys-Dietz syndrome, and Marfan syndrome in order to develop novel therapies to prevent aortic aneurysm. Clinically, he and his team have focused outcome research of aortic surgery and adult cardiac surgery, including acute aortic dissection, aortic root repair, aortic arch repair, thoraco or thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair.
Dr. Yang has won numerous research awards such as: AHA Vivien Thomas Young Investigator Award, finalist; Young Investigator of Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation, and several research projects supported by NIH grants.
Yan Zhang, PhD
Assistant Professor of Biological Chemistry, Medical School
Yan Zhang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Chemistry at University of Michigan Medical School. The overarching goal of her lab is to decipher the biology of diverse CRISPR-Cas defense systems in pathogenic bacteria, and to convert their novel features into gene-editing tools and therapeutics to improve human health. Her group uses complementary genetic, genomic, biochemical, cell biology, and informatic approaches to tackle key questions in CRISPR biology and gene therapy.
Dr. Zhang received her BS in Biological Sciences from Peking University in China, and her PhD in Biomolecular Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prior to joining U of M in 2017, she pursued postdoctoral training with Dr. Erik Sontheimer at Northwestern University and University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, where she established Neisseria meningitidis (Nme) as a model to investigate Type II-C CRISPR-Csa9 and developed NmeCas9 as a robust gene editing platform in human embryonic stem cells. Dr. Zhang has received an American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship, a NIH NIGMS K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award, and numerous awards from University of Michigan, including a Biological Sciences Scholar Award, an EBS Innovator Award, a MTRAC for Life Sciences Award, and a Research Scouts Award.
Jifeng Zhang, PhD
Research Professor of Internal Medicine - Cardiology Chemistry, Medical School
Dr. Zhang received a PhD in Cardiovascular Pathophysiology from the University of Yamanashi, Japan. He joined Michigan Medicine in 2006 and currently is a research professor at the Frankel Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical School. His research aims to understand the molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and abdmonial aortic anuerysm, and develop new treatments for these diseases.
Guizhi (Julian) Zhu, PhD
Ara G. Paul Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy
Dr. Zhu is Ara G. Paul Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The research in my lab lies at the interface of nucleic acid engineering, drug and vaccine delivery, and immunology. Our current focus is to develop novel circRNA/MRNA/oligonucleotides therapeutics and vaccines and their delivery systems for the prophylaxis and therapy of various diseases.
Edward T and Ellen K Dryer Early Career Professor of Rheumatology and Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, Medical School
Dr. Zuo is the Edward T. and Ellen K. Dryer Early Career Professor of Rheumatology, Assistant Professor in the Division of Rheumatology, and the Antiphospholipid Syndrome Program associate director at the University of Michigan. His research focuses on the pathogenic role of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and autoimmunities against NETs in various thromboinflammatory diseases such as antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), vasculitis and COVID-19. He has authored some 50 papers, and his current research is supported by the National Institute of Health, Taubman Medical Research Institute, Arthritis National Research Foundation, the National Institute of Health, the Rheumatology Research Foundation, and the Frankel Cardiovascular Center at the University of Michigan support his current research. Recently, he earned the distinction of being named a Taubman Institute Emerging Scholar and was also the recipient of the 2024 American Society of Clinical Investigation Young Physician Scientist Award.
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