What is your professional background?
I received my MD from Jefferson Medical College in 2004. I then moved to Northwestern, where I completed an internal medicine residency and general cardiology fellowship, as well as research training through the ABIM research pathway studying the mechanisms that underlie congestive heart failure (2004-11). Building on this interest in heart failure, I moved to Boston where I completed a fellowship in heart failure and transplant cardiology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (2012), followed by a post-doctoral research fellowship in the Seidman lab (2012-15). During this time, I was also faculty in heart failure at the West Roxbury VA Medical Center. Upon completing my research training, I joined the faculty at Emory (2016).
In what division do you work, and who is your mentor?
I work in the Division of Cardiology. Here at Emory, I have received extensive mentorship from Drs. Ahsan Husain, W. Robert Taylor, Kathy Griendling, and Andrew Smith.
Briefly describe your research. Why is it important?
My research aims to better characterize the molecular and cellular mechanisms that occur in the failing heart. Despite tremendous advances in heart failure care over the last 30 years, the 5-year survival for patients with congestive heart failure is ~50%; this is worse than all but 2 of the 15 commonest forms of cancer in the United States. Remarkably, there is not one single therapy for heart failure that was discovered based on our understanding of the molecular processes in the failing heart! This is where our research comes in. Currently, we are focused on the epigenetic regulation of pathologic gene expression and the activation of cardiac fibroblasts, both hallmark features of most types of heart failure, with an eye towards translating our findings into clinical advances.
What do you like most about Emory?
My favorite part of working at Emory is the collegial environment between our robust clinical enterprise and our highly accomplished research divisions, a feature made possible by the intelligent, friendly, and open-minded people who work here. As a born-and-raised northerner, it would be folly to not mention my love for the 9 months of warm weather each year!
What is your favorite movie or TV show?
I am a die-hard Star Wars fan dating back before my earliest memories (and yes, I have my strong opinions of the prequels). My favorite past TV shows were Cheers and Breaking Bad (I still can’t decide if I like or hate Walter White), with recent favorites being Game of Thrones and Jane the Virgin.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Nearly all of my spare time is devoted to my wife and our 2 beautiful boys (ages 3 years & 10 months). On the off chance that they leave me with any energy after they go to sleep, I enjoy playing my guitars, listening to music, exercising, and watching my hometown Philly sports teams.
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