David D. McPherson

Dr. David D. McPherson serves as Professor, Department Chair of Internal Medicine, and Vice President of Clinical and Translational Sciences at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) McGovern Medical School. He holds dual endowed chairs: the James T. and Nancy B. Willerson Chair and the Francine J. and Frederick M. Pevow, MD Chair of Internal Medicine.

Dr. McPherson's research focuses on cardiovascular imaging technology development, particularly advanced ultrasound applications for atherosclerosis evaluation and treatment. His laboratory work spans from basic science to clinical applications, with current projects including development of new acoustic agents for ultrasound tissue enhancement, novel ultrasound techniques for guiding angioplasty and stent placement, and three-dimensional techniques for cardiac and vascular reconstruction. His work bridges cardiology, biomedical engineering, and medical device development with strong emphasis on practical clinical translation.

His publication record demonstrates consistent research productivity across cardiovascular imaging, with recent work spanning from xenon-based cardiovascular protection to ultrasound contrast agents and computational modeling of cardiac structures. These publications reflect his interdisciplinary approach combining engineering principles with clinical cardiology.

• National Institutes of Health awards
• American Heart Association awards

As an academic leader, Dr. McPherson supervises biomedical engineering doctoral students, cardiology fellows, residents, and medical students in advanced echocardiographic research. His service as a grant reviewer and editorial board member for major journals demonstrates his standing in the cardiovascular research community. The clinical applications of his research have direct impact on cardiovascular disease diagnosis and treatment approaches.

Dr. McPherson leads the Advanced Echocardiography Research Group, which focuses on translating ultrasound innovations from bench to bedside, with particular emphasis on improving diagnostic capabilities and therapeutic interventions for cardiovascular disease.