Biography
As a trained physician-scientist in the field of heart failure and cardiac transplantation, I am continuing to pursue my multi-faceted passion in research, clinical care, education and leadership as part of the faculty at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. During my cardiology training I obtained my PhD in Biomedical sciences, which defined my research focus on developing and testing novel diagnostics in patients with heart failure as well as in heart transplant recipients. Our group was the first to define the role of cardiac Bridging Integrator 1 (cBIN1) as a key regulator of myocardial remodeling. I have spear-headed translational pilot studies applying this biomarker to cohort of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) as well as cardiac allograft rejection. Drawing on the similarities in the immunological signature of cardiac allograft cellular rejection as well as immune checkpoint inhibitors associated cardiac toxicity, I have broadened by clinical and research interests to include the field of cardio-oncology. As such, I am contributing to establishing the foundation of a dedicated and academically focused cardio-oncology program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center which positions me as a meaningful contributor.