About
Michael Simons is a Professor of Medicine in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Yale School of Medicine. He is a principal investigator in the Simons Lab and actively contributes to the Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program and the Yale Cardiovascular Research Center (YCVRC). His career bridges clinical cardiology and molecular vascular biology, with leadership roles at Harvard Medical School and Dartmouth prior to joining Yale.
- BS, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1980)
- MD, Yale University (1984)
- Residency, New England Medical Center (1986)
- Fellowship, Beth Israel Hospital (1991)
- Postdoctoral Fellow, NIH and MIT (1989–1993)
Dr. Simons' research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of arterial formation, angiogenesis, and vascular maintenance. His work spans basic signaling pathways (VEGF, FGF, syndecan-4), translational models (mouse, zebrafish, large animals), and early-phase clinical trials. Key areas include arterial branching morphogenesis, endothelial integrity, and metabolic regulation in vascular disease. His lab investigates how receptor trafficking, SUMOylation, and metabolic cues influence vascular health and disease.
His recent publications highlight trends in endothelial signaling (VEGFR2-PLCγ, HEY1 SUMOylation), vascular permeability and inflammation, metabolic regulation in fibrosis and ischemia, and lymphatic biology. These studies employ cutting-edge techniques in molecular biology, genetics, and imaging across diverse disease models.
- Member, Association of American Physicians (AAP)
- Member, Association of University Cardiologists (AUC)
- Fellow, American Physiological Society (APS)
- Fellow, American Heart Association (AHA)
- Fellow, American College of Cardiology (ACC)
- Honorary Fellow, University College London (UCL)
- Member, The Interurban Clinical Club (ICC)
Dr. Simons has led numerous NIH-funded projects, including multiple R01s, an NHLBI SCOR, a PPG on arteriogenesis, and the Leducq ARTEMIS network. He has published over 270 papers and mentored many trainees. His lab collaborates extensively with institutions in the US, UK, Belgium, and France. He has served on NIH study sections and professional societies, contributing to the advancement of vascular science and clinical cardiology.
He leads the Simons Lab and is a key member of the Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program and YCVRC, fostering interdisciplinary research in cardiovascular disease. His work continues to explore novel therapeutic strategies for vascular disorders, including arteriogenesis-resistant states and pulmonary hypertension.
