Highlighted Researcher: Michael Sayegh

What is your professional background?
I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Physics and Mathematics at Harvard University, where I worked in an Ecoli biophysics lab. I then enrolled in the Emory MD/PhD program, and did clinical research with the Division of Cardiac Electrophysiology during medical school. For my PhD, I joined the combined biomedical engineering graduate program with Georgia Tech.

In what division do you work, and who is your mentor?
I work in the Division of Cardiology, where my research mentor is Dr. Rebecca Levit. I also receive mentorship from Drs. Robert Taylor and Andrés García.

Briefly describe your research. Why is it important?
My primary focus is the immune reaction of the cardiac muscle to damage during a heart attack, and engineering new tools to alter and target this response to preserve and restore heart function. I’m specifically working on using novel biomaterials developed with collaborators at Georgia Tech to locally deliver on-demand cardiac therapeutics.

What do you like most about Emory?
I enjoy the beautiful campus and the kind and inspiring colleagues and mentors. Also, I appreciate the close collaboration of researchers and clinicians, and I have a true appreciation of the role of physician-scientists (in the Division of Cardiology in particular, and the university at large).

What is your favorite movie or TV show?
“The Office,” of course.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to read and try new restaurants.

What is a fun fact about you?
I immigrated to the U.S. from Aleppo, Syria.