Research Overview

Molecular and Cellular Cardiology

• Roger A. Wagner: The Wagner lab uses genomic and molecular biological techniques to characterize new genes and molecular pathways involved in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases including cardiomyopathies, atherosclerosis, and pulmonary hypertension in mouse disease models. We have identified a number of novel LIM domain and Wnt pathway molecules which play major roles in these diseases and which are the focus of intensive molecular and knockout studies. For more information about research opportunities visit the lab website http://www.MouseDevelopment.org or Dr. Wagner's Researcher Profile.
• Ching-Pin Chang: My laboratory focuses on the mechanisms of cardiovascular development, particularly how the three major types of cardiac cells (endocardial, myocardial and epicardial cells) interact with each other to generate heart tissues. Visit my laboratory page to learn more my research.
• Thomas Quertermous: Strategies are employed to clone and characterize genes that regulate cardiovascular development, endothelial cell differentiation, and other fundamental processes such as gene expression. Click here for more information on the Reynolds Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center at Stanford.
• William T. Clusin: Cardiac ischemia; especially the measurement of cytosolic calcium during ischemia and the role of cytosolic calcium in the genesis of cardiac arrhythmias. Other interests: cellular electrophysiology; cardiovascular pharmacology, excitation-contraction coupling. Dr. Clusin's has a recent review article (PDF) on calcium and cardiac arrhythmias.
• John Cooke: Molecular and translational research in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and angiogenesis; regulation of the NO synthase pathway; molecular, cellular and physiological characterization of nACh receptor-mediated angiogenesis. More information on the Cooke Laboratory.
• Stan Rockson: Characterization of the biochemical and cellular responses to impaired lymphatic function; development and molecular characterization of the strategies for therapeutic lymphangiogenesis; imaging of immune traffic and its role in lymphatic disorders.

Electrophysiology and Electrocardiography

• Victor Froelicher: Exercise physiology: testing and training; risk assessment and prognosis in CAD.
• Karen Friday: Triggers in atrial fibrillation; behavioral cardiology.

Phillip Yang, MD

Dr. Yang's research interest focuses on the comprehensive diagnosis of ischemic heart disease using cardiac MRI. Specifically, he is using novel MR imaging sequences that enable rapid and integrated imaging of the coronary arteries as well as assessment of LV function, cardiac perfusion, and myocardial viability. By combining the chemical sensitivity of nuclear magnetic resonance with high spatial and temporal resolution, a wide range of biological events spanning from molecular to physiologic processes can be characterized. As an example, Dr. Yang's laboratory is currently investigating the in vivo MR imaging of stem cell biology as well as the therapeutic effects on peri-infarct ischemia. Dr. Yang's research is supported by a prestigious K23 award from the National Institutes of Health.

William Fearon, MD

Dr. Fearon's research focuses on coronary physiology. In particular, he is interested in invasive, wire-based techniques for investigating the significance of epicardial coronary artery stenoses and for interrogating the status of the coronary microcirculation. Recently, in an animal model, he validated a novel index for measuring microvascular resistance. He is now coordinating clinical studies to further test the usefulness of this index. He is also applying these techniques in cardiac transplant recipients in hopes of better understanding transplant vasculopathy. Dr. Fearon’s research is funded by the NIH through a K23 Career Development Award.

Interventional Cardiology and Biotechnology

• Alan Yeung: endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodeling in coronary atherosclerosis (epicardial and microvascular); modification of atherogenesis via local drug delivery; adjunctive pharmacologic treatment in PTCA; clinical trials of new devices.
• William Fearon: Dr. Fearon’s research is funded by the NIH through a K23 Career Development Award. His research focus is coronary physiology. In particular, he is interested in invasive, wire-based techniques for investigating the significance of epicardial coronary artery stenoses and for interrogating the status of the coronary microcirculation. Recently, in an animal model, he validated a novel index for measuring microvascular resistance. He is now coordinating clinical studies to further test the usefulness of this index. He is also applying these techniques in cardiac transplant recipients in hopes of better understanding transplant vasculopathy.
• Simon Sterzer: Intramyocardial delivery of myoblasts and vasculogenic peptides; tissue engineering of autologous blood vessels; retrieval atherectomy in vein grafts and native coronary circulation; drug eluciting stent technology development without a polymer base in bare metal stents.
• Paul Yock: Dr. Yock’s research interests center around new catheter-based technologies for cardiovascular disease. Current work focuses on catheter methods for delivery of genes, proteins, and cells into damaged myocardium, and new catheter-based imaging techniques. Dr. Yock also maintains an active interest in intravascular ultrasound, including participation in the IVUS core laboratory directed by Dr. Fitzgerald. Dr. Yock also directs the Biodesign Program, which explores new approaches to invention and technology transfer in the medical device and diagnostic arena.
• Peter J. Fitzgerald: Intravascular ultrasound imaging.

Cardiac Imaging

• David Liang: Medical Imaging, particularly forward-viewing intravascular ultrasound and digital echocardiography; applications of magnetic resonance imaging.
• Phil Yang: Dr. Yang’s research interest focuses on comprehensive diagnosis of ischemic heart disease using cardiac MRI. Novel MR imaging sequences enabling rapid and integrated imaging of the coronary arteries, LV function, perfusion, and viability have been implemented. By combining chemical sensitivity of nuclear magnetic resonance with high sptial and temporal resolution, a wide range of biological events spanning from molecular to physiologic processes can be characterized. Specifically, in vivo MR imaging of stem cell biology and therapeutic effects on peri-infarct ischemia is investigated.
• Michael McConnell: Imaging cardiovascular disease, with a focus on coronary and vascular atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease. Projects include cellular and structural characterization of atherosclerotic plaque by MRI, optical imaging (bioluminescence and fluorescence) of vascular imflammation, as well as noninvasive coronary angiography by MRI and MRI-guided cardiovascular interventions. Additional collaborative projects include real-time cardiac MRI and multi-modality imaging of cardiac stem cell transplantation. Resonance Systems Research Lab (MRSRL).
• Ingela Schnittger: Echocardiographjy with particular interest in transesophageal echocardiography used as a diagnostic and monitoring tool and exercise/stress echocardiography, using echocardiography with treadmill testing or with pharmacologic.

Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplantation

• Michael B. Fowler: Clinical and laboratory investigation in heart failure.
• Randy Vagelos: Prognosis in congestive heart failure; experimental drug therapy in congestive heart failure.
• Sharon Hunt: Immunosupression for graft rejection; clinical management of transplant recipients; graft atherosclerosis.
• Hannah A. Valantine: Pathophysiology of transplant coronary vasculopathy focusing on the role of diabetes and CMV infection. Noninvasive diagnosis of cardiac allograft rejection; pathobiology of graft rejection.
• John S. Schroeder: Clinical efficacy of calcium channel blockers for CAD and prevention of transplant coronary vasculopathy; investigations of factors affecting survival following cardiac transplantation.
• Mark Perlroth: Long term follow-up of heart transplantation recipients and adults with congenital heart disease; cyclosporine-induced hypertension and nephropathy; adriamycin cardiotoxicity.
• Euan A. Ashley:

Clinical Investigations

• Robert F. DeBusk: Design, evaluate and disseminate disease management systems for chronic diseases including heart failure, coronary heart disease, and hypertension. Special interests include adaptation of distributed information management systems for decision support and creation/validation of psychometric indicators of adherence using the concept of self-efficacy. Active projects include NHLBI and Department of Veterans Affairs - sponsored randomized clinical trials of comprehensive management of heart failure using the MULTIFIT system.
• John Giacomini: Cardiovascular pharmacology as it relates to treatment of hypertension and dyslipidemia.
• William L. Haskell: Clinical trials for primary or secondary prevention of CHD; acute and chronic effects of exercise on CV status; determination and modification of CHD risk factors.
• Randy Vagelos: Markers of coronary ischemia; radiation induced cardiac disease.
• Paul Heidenreich: Quality of care measures in ischemic heart disease and congestive heart failure; cost-effectiveness analysis of cardiovascular interventions; screening for LV systolic dysfunction; echocardiographic predictors of mortality.
• Jonathan Myers: Dr. Myers coordinates the research activities in the exercise laboratory in the Cardiology Division at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. His research has focused on the areas of exercise training in chronic heart failure, diagnostic and prognostic applications of cardiopulmonary exercise testing, epidemiology related to cardiovascular disease, and cardiovascular health in disabled populations. His currently funded projects include the association between heart rate variability, physical activity patterns, and cardiovascular health, and the cost-effectiveness of an intensive, case-managed risk reduction program in patients at high risk for the development of cardiovascular disease.