Find Academic Supervisors

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Vascular Surgery
• Aortic Diseases
• +6 more

Gabriele Di Luozzo, MD, is an Associate Professor of Surgery (Cardiac) at Yale University School of Medicine and Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Bridgeport Hospital. He specializes in complex aortic diseases, including aortic dissection, thoracoabdominal aneurysms, and valve disorders. His clinical expertise includes advanced surgical techniques such as fenestrated and branched endovascular repair (F/BEVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysms. Dr. Di Luozzo completed residencies at Yale University School of Medicine (2001), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (2003), and the University of Miami (2005), followed by an Aortic Surgery Fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital (2006). His research focuses on spinal cord protection during aortic surgery, aortic valve and aneurysm progression, and gene expression profiling in surgical outcomes. Notable studies include investigations into bicuspid aortic valve natural history, spinal cord collateral networks, and paraspinous muscle gene expression. He has contributed over 69 peer-reviewed publications and is recognized for his work in the 2024 Connecticut Magazine 'Top Doctors' List. Dr. Di Luozzo’s clinical interests span mitral valve endocarditis, thoracoabdominal aortic repair, and the use of endovascular technologies. He collaborates with institutions like the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and mentors through his academic role at Yale. His practice locations include New Haven and Bridgeport, CT.

Holzapfel Gerhard AView profile

Professor

• Biomechanics
• Mechanobiology
• Nonlinear Continuum Mechanics
• +4 more

Gerhard A. Holzapfel is a Full Professor of Biomechanics and Head of the Institute of Biomechanics at Graz University of Technology (Austria) since 2007. He holds adjunct and visiting positions at KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden) and the University of Glasgow (Scotland). His academic journey includes a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Graz University of Technology, a Habilitation from TU Vienna (1996), and prestigious awards such as the START-Award (1997) and the Warner T. Koiter Medal (2021). His research focuses on constitutive modeling of biosolids, nonlinear continuum mechanics, and medical image processing. Notable contributions include studies on arterial wall mechanics, fibrous tissue behavior, and computational biomechanics. Holzapfel leads interdisciplinary teams exploring mechanobiology, vascular pathologies, and biomaterials, with applications in cardiovascular engineering and disease modeling. Education: PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Graz University of Technology Habilitation, TU Vienna (1996) Research Highlights: Multi-scale modeling of biological tissues Biaxial mechanical testing and microscopy integration Computational fluid-structure interaction (FSI) in vascular systems Biomechanical implications of medical interventions (e.g., stents, angioplasty) Awards: Warner T. Koiter Medal (2021) Corresponding Member, Austrian Academy of Sciences (2012) Erwin Schrödinger Prize (2011) START-Award (1997) Labs & Teams: Leads the Institute of Biomechanics at TU Graz, collaborating with international teams on vascular biomechanics and mechanobiology.

Anthal I.P.M. SmitsView profile

Associate Professor

• Tissue Engineering
• Mechanobiology
• Biomaterials
• +3 more

Anthal Smits is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biomedical Engineering , Eindhoven University of Technology, leading the ImmunoRegeneration Group . His research focuses on immunomodulation for in situ tissue regeneration, particularly in cardiovascular applications such as heart valves and blood vessels. He is affiliated with the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS) and actively contributes to international consortia like NWO Gravitation and NWO Summit . BSc & MSc in Biomedical Engineering, TU/e (2004, 2008) PhD in Biomedical Engineering, TU/e (2014) under Prof. Frank Baaijens His interdisciplinary work bridges tissue engineering , mechanobiology , immunology , and materials science , with recent articles emphasizing biomaterial standardization , calcification mechanisms , and macrophage dynamics . A 2021 ERC Starting Grant supports his macrophage mechanobiology research. Editorial Board: Tissue Engineering Parts A, B, C , Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine Professional Affiliations: NBTE , TERMIS EU Chapter , Heart Valve Society

MEHMET MURAT SUCUView profile

Professor

• Cardiology
• Internal Medicine
• Cardiovascular Disease
• +4 more

Professor Mehmet Murat Sucu is affiliated with Gaziantep University , where he serves as a faculty member in the Faculty of Medicine , specifically within the Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Cardiology . He holds a Professor rank and has a distinguished career in cardiology and internal medicine. Education includes a Medical Specialization (1996–2001) at Dicle University , alongside associate degrees in law, security, and media production from Atatürk University and Anadolu University (2014–2020). Research Interests focus on cardiology , particularly heart failure , arrhythmias , coronary artery disease , and oxidative stress . His work explores echocardiography , electrophysiology , and interventional cardiology . Recent studies highlight metabolic markers (e.g., SGLT-2 inhibitors, bilirubin) and genetic factors in cardiovascular conditions. Scientific Contributions include 76 publications , with 15 most recent (2020–2024) addressing topics like heart failure , atrial fibrillation , and vascular interventions . His collaborations span 70 co-authors , including Gökhan Altunbas , Mehmet Kaplan , and Vedat Davutoglu . Scientific Awards : No explicit awards listed in the text. Advising and Grants : Supervised 5 theses (2012–2020) on topics like nail fold capillaries and aortic valve sclerosis . Led 6 national projects , including TUKMOS-UB curriculum adaptation and 3D diagnosis of coronary artery disease .

Peter BackxView profile

Professor

• Cardiac Physiology
• Cardiac Electrophysiology
• Arrhythmias
• +4 more

Peter Backx is a Full Professor in the Department of Biology at York University and Canada Research Chair in Cardiovascular Biology. He is also an Emeritus Professor at the University of Toronto and a Senior Scientist at the University Health Network. His academic journey includes a B.Sc., M.Sc., DVM (University of Guelph), and Ph.D. (University of Calgary), followed by postdoctoral training at Johns Hopkins University. His research focuses on cardiac physiology, ion channels, arrhythmias, and stem cell applications in cardiovascular biology. Dr. Backx has secured over $14M in research funding and published over 200 articles in top journals. He has supervised 26 graduate students and 17 postdoctoral fellows. His awards include Fellowships from the Royal Society of Canada and American Heart Association, as well as the Lowell Langille Mentorship Award. His work emphasizes mechanisms underlying heart disease, including atrial fibrillation and heart failure, with a focus on translational applications like tissue-specific drug delivery. Key research areas include ion transport, myocardial signaling, and cardiac development using pluripotent stem cells. He has pioneered models of atrial fibrillation and engineered cardiac tissues. Recent studies explore TNF-alpha’s role in exercise-induced atrial remodeling and therapeutic strategies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Dr. Backx’s labs integrate electrophysiology, proteomics, and tissue engineering to advance cardiovascular medicine.

Suzana TkalcicView profile

Associate Professor

• Veterinary Pathology
• Marine Mammal Medicine
• One Health
• +2 more

Dr. Suzana Tkalcic is a dually-appointed Associate Professor at Western University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Adjunct Associate Professor at San Diego State University's School of Public Health. Her primary appointment at Western University involves teaching pathology across DVM curricula and directing clinical rotations, while her SDSU affiliation focuses on environmental health aspects of zoonotic diseases. She earned her DVM from the University of Zagreb and PhD in Veterinary Pathology from the University of Georgia. Her research spans three interconnected domains: marine mammal pathology (particularly California sea lion diseases), comparative One Health approaches to zoonotic infections, and pedagogical innovations in veterinary education. She maintains active collaborations with the Marine Mammal Care Center and Los Angeles Zoo, with field studies extending to Adriatic aquaculture systems. Honors include four consecutive Chancellor's Research Awards (1991-1994), Phi Zeta Honor Society membership, the 2011 Ljudevit Jurak Award, and the 2017 Croatian Women of Influence Award for Science. She established the annual Dr. Suzana Tkalcic One Health Award for comparative medicine research. Dr. Tkalcic has secured multiple grants including USDA funding for coronavirus resistance studies ($375,000) and NATO security proposals. She mentors doctoral candidates internationally and has advised 21+ veterinary students on research projects ranging from nasal mite prevalence to volcanic gastric ulcers in marine mammals. She co-founded the Binational One Health Initiative along the California-Baja border and serves on the Croatian Academy of Medical Sciences. Her laboratory coordinates specimen analysis for multiple marine rehabilitation centers along the Pacific Coast.

• Cardiorespiratory Medicine
• Adult Congenital Heart Disease
• Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR)
• +3 more

Dr. Sonya Babu-Narayan is a Reader at the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, and a Consultant Cardiologist at the Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust. She also serves as Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation (2018–present). Her academic roles include leadership in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) research, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) technology, and clinical guidelines. She holds a PhD from Imperial College London and completed advanced clinical training in cardiology across multiple prestigious institutions. Education: MB BS (Merit in Clinical Medicine), University College London (1998) BSc First Class Honours (Neurosciences), University College London (1994) MRCP (UK), Royal College of Physicians (2001) PhD, Imperial College London Research Interests: Her work focuses on adult congenital heart disease , CMR innovations , and clinical outcomes in ACHD . She co-authored the 2020 ESC ACHD guidelines and pioneered CMR-based risk stratification models. Her research integrates biomedical engineering, public health, and clinical cardiology. Awards and Recognition: BHF Intermediate Clinical Research Fellowship (2012–2018) American Heart Association Cardiovascular Disease in the Young Award (2006) 2022 Inspiring Communicator Award (for science-art collaborations) Advising/Grants: She led the BHF-funded INDICATOR cohort study and collaborated with Wellcome Trust on the Fluent Heart project, blending medicine with arts. She advises parliamentary committees on healthcare policy. Collaborations and Labs: Active in the National Heart and Lung Institute , she leads international studies like the COaCHeD project and chairs ACHD imaging guidelines committees.

Rihab BoucharebView profile

Assistant Professor

• Cardiovascular Sciences
• Metabolic Disease Research
• Heart Valve Disease
• +7 more

Rihab Bouchareb, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at the Center for Metabolic Disease Research within the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. Her work bridges cardiovascular sciences and renal pathophysiology, focusing on translational approaches to understanding and treating cardio-renal diseases. PhD in Physiology and Biology of Organisms and Population Interactions, Strasbourg University, France (2008–2012) Master's in Molecular and Cell Physiology, Strasbourg University, France (2006–2008) B.A. in Biochemistry, Blida University, Algeria (2000–2004) Dr. Bouchareb's research centers on the molecular mechanisms driving calcific aortic valve stenosis and acute kidney injury, with a focus on metabolic dysfunction, inflammation, mitochondrial damage, and platelet involvement. She is pioneering mitochondrial transplantation as a regenerative strategy for kidney repair. Her work integrates molecular biology , systems medicine , and clinical relevance to identify novel therapeutic targets. The most recent publications reflect a strong trend in cardiovascular calcification , mitochondrial dysfunction , inflammatory pathways , and genetic/proteomic biomarker discovery . Her studies span experimental models, human tissue analysis, and clinical correlations, often published in high-impact journals such as Circulation , Nature Metabolism , and European Heart Journal . Scientific Awards and Recognitions: Multiple best presentation and research awards from Canadian Cardiovascular Society and Quebec Heart and Lung Institute (2013–2018) Team Science Award, Dr Jason Kovacic Lab, Mount Sinai (2019) Promising Young Investigator and Young Investigator Travel Awards (2020, 2022) Marquis Who's Who in America (2023) NIH-ISAC Innovation Science Accelerator Program (2024) Dr. Bouchareb has been involved in significant collaborative research grants and projects, particularly in fibromuscular dysplasia, valve degeneration, and diabetic kidney disease. She has contributed to methodological advances in cell isolation and imaging. Her work is supported by active collaborations with leading institutions and researchers in cardiology and nephrology. She is affiliated with the American Heart Association and has contributed to interdisciplinary research teams and labs focused on metabolic disease, cardiovascular repair, and translational innovation.

Pingchuan ZhangView profile

Research Fellow

• Renal Pathology
• Nephrology
• Immunofluorescence
• +7 more

Pingchuan Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., is a faculty member at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology . He is based in Rochester, Minnesota, and specializes in Renal Pathology and Cardiovascular Surgery . His work spans Kidney Transplantation , Glomerulonephritis , and Tissue Engineering for cardiac repair. Education: Ph.D. in Surgery, Peking Union Medical College (2006) Masters in Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University (2003) MD, Peking University Medical School (1997) Dr. Zhang's research focuses on Renal Immunopathology (e.g., IgG4-related nephritis, monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits), Diagnostic Accuracy in kidney biopsies (mass spectrometry vs. immunofluorescence), and Cardiovascular Regeneration using biopolymers and progenitor cells. His publications highlight collaborations with leading institutions like Mayo Clinic and University of Ottawa. Article trends show emphasis on Renal Allograft Monitoring , Autoimmune Kidney Diseases , and Advanced Diagnostic Protocols . Key subfields include Transplant Prognostication , Mass Spectrometry Applications , and Cardiac Biomaterials . Scientific Awards: 2nd place podium presentation, Texas Society of Pathologists Annual Meeting (2013) Lawrence Soloway Research Fellowship (University of Ottawa, 2009) Honorable Mention in Basic Science Research (University of Ottawa, 2008) Dr. Zhang maintains active memberships in the American Society of Nephrology , Renal Pathology Society , and United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology . His clinical work includes Kidney Biopsy Analysis and Heart Valve Surgery retrospective studies. Labs and teams: Collaborated with Mayo Clinic's Renal Transplantation Group , University of Ottawa's Cardiovascular Regeneration Lab , and SUN Yat-Sen University's Cardiac Surgery Department .

Jamila KremerView profile

Physician Scientist

• Cardiac Surgery
• Mechanical Circulatory Support
• Ventricular Assist Devices
• +4 more

Jamila Kremer serves as a Senior Physician in the Department of Cardiac Surgery at Heidelberg University Hospital, affiliated with Heidelberg University's Faculty of Medicine. Her clinical and research activities focus on advanced cardiac surgical interventions and mechanical circulatory support systems, contributing significantly to the hospital's reputation in complex cardiac care. Her research spans Cardiac Surgery, Mechanical Circulatory Support, Ventricular Assist Devices, Aortic Surgery, and Heart Transplantation, with particular emphasis on managing complications like driveline infections, right ventricular failure, and aortic pathologies. Recent work explores innovative techniques such as the frozen elephant trunk procedure for aortic dissections and pericardial closure methods in ventricular assist device surgery. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2022-2025) reveals dominant trends in mechanical circulatory support optimization, including hemocompatibility management in ventricular assist devices, transition strategies between temporary and durable support systems, and consensus-driven approaches to adverse event prevention. Her work also addresses critical aortic surgery challenges and complications in cardiac implantable electronic device procedures. No scientific awards or honors are documented in available sources. Information regarding student mentorship, grant funding, laboratory affiliations, or specialized research teams is not provided in the source material, indicating these aspects either fall outside her primary responsibilities or lack public documentation.

Mira T. KeddisView profile

Professor

• Nephrology
• Kidney Transplantation
• Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
• +2 more

Mira T. Keddis is Professor of Medicine in the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at Mayo Clinic with expertise in kidney stone management, cardiovascular risk assessment for transplant candidates, and care of Indigenous American populations. She directs the Multi-disciplinary Stone Clinic and focuses on metabolic/genetic evaluation of stone disease, oxalate nephropathy, and hyperoxaluria. Her research examines cardiovascular biomarkers in transplant patients, cystatin C's role in graft function, and disparities in transplant access for Native Americans. Dr. Keddis holds leadership roles in medical education as Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs and teaches in the Nephrology Course at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine.

Philip A. AraozView profile

Professor

• Cardiac Radiology
• Cardiovascular Imaging
• CT Angiography
• +4 more

Philip A. Araoz is Professor of Radiology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, specializing in Cardiovascular Radiology. He completed his medical education at University of Washington (MD, 1995) and residency/fellowship training at Mayo Clinic and University of California, San Francisco. His research focuses on advanced cardiac imaging techniques including CT angiography for cardiac masses, coronary anomalies, and valvular pathologies. Dr. Araoz has extensive expertise in non-invasive cardiovascular diagnostics, particularly CT and MRI applications for structural heart disease. His recent work investigates novel PET tracers for malignant disease evaluation in pediatric populations. He maintains active clinical practice in Rochester, MN and Phoenix, AZ locations. His scholarly contributions include over 100 publications on cardiac imaging innovations, with recent emphasis on dose reduction strategies and multimodal approaches to foreign body detection. Research demonstrates consistent focus on improving diagnostic accuracy for congenital heart abnormalities and acquired cardiovascular pathologies. Honors & Awards: A3CR2 Outstanding Teacher Award (2025) Multiple Teacher of the Year awards from Department of Radiology Repeated Certificates of Merit from Radiological Society of North America Cum Laude awards from European Congress of Radiology Professional Leadership: Fellowship Director for Cardiac Radiology Research Chair for Cardiac Radiology Member of RSNA Cardiac Exhibit Judging Committee Contributor to ACR Appropriateness Criteria Committee Global Outreach: Conducts missionary medical work in Honduras and Guatemala wilderness medicine programs.

Gretchen MahlerView profile

Professor

• Organ-on-a-Chip Technology
• Tissue Engineering
• Nanotoxicology
• +3 more

Gretchen Mahler is Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Binghamton University and Interim Vice Provost and Dean of The Graduate School. She holds a BS from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and PhD from Cornell University. Her laboratory develops microfluidic and 3D scaffold systems to create physiologically realistic models of organs and tissues, with applications in cardiovascular disease, cancer, and gastrointestinal health. Dr. Mahler's research integrates microfluidics, tissue engineering, and computational modeling to study disease mechanisms and nanoparticle interactions. Her work focuses on endothelial-to-mesenchymal transformation, nanoparticle toxicity in gastrointestinal systems, and kidney-on-a-chip technologies that replicate human renal function for drug testing. Recent publications demonstrate strong emphasis on organ-mimetic systems, with 67% focusing on microphysiological platforms and 33% on nanomaterial-biological interactions. Article keywords predominantly include Microfluidics (87%), Disease Modeling (73%), Nanoparticles (60%), and Tissue Engineering (53%). Awards and Honors: Provost's Award for Outstanding Graduate Director (2017) Lush Prize (2015) Dr. Nuala McGann Drescher Award (2015) The Hartwell Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship (2008) Dr. Mahler advises 9 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Her lab has secured multiple NIH grants for developing organ-on-chip platforms and studying nanomaterial biosafety. Current projects include creating multi-organ systems and investigating nanoparticle effects on nutrient absorption. The Mahler Lab maintains active collaborations with pharmaceutical companies and clinical researchers to translate microphysiological models into drug development pipelines. Future work explores integration of immune components into tissue chips and patient-derived cell models.

GIANLUCA TESTAView profile

Associate Professor

• Cardiology
• Gerontology
• Heart Failure
• +7 more

Prof. Gianluca Testa is an Associate Professor at the University of Molise, affiliated with the School of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Department of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Medicine. His research focuses on cardiovascular diseases, geriatric cardiology, and the interplay between aging, frailty, and cardiac health. He has published extensively on topics including heart failure pathophysiology, nanomedicine applications, and clinical case studies in cardiology. Research Interests: Cardiovascular pathophysiology and interventions Frailty and sarcopenia in elderly populations Nanotechnology for cardiac therapy Orthostatic hypotension and geriatric care Case studies in valvular heart disease and cardiac tumors Recent publications highlight his work on biomarkers predicting complications in transcatheter valve procedures, novel tools for frailty assessment in hospitalized patients, and advanced therapies targeting fibrosis in heart failure. His contributions bridge clinical cardiology with gerontology and translational nanomedicine. Contact: gianluca.testa@unimol.it

• Cardiovascular disease
• Inherited heart disease
• Aortic disease
• +5 more

Professor Richmond Jeremy is a distinguished academic and clinician at the University of Sydney, serving as Professor of Medicine within the Central Clinical School. He holds multiple leadership positions including Head of School for the Central Clinical School, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, and Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University. Clinically, he serves as a Consultant Cardiologist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Strathfield Private Hospital, and is the Clinical Director of the Marfan and Aortic Disease Clinic. University of Sydney - Professor of Medicine, Central Clinical School Royal Prince Alfred Hospital - Consultant Cardiologist Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand - President Royal Australian College of Physicians - Chair, Specialties Board Heart Lung and Circulation - Editor in Chief Professor Jeremy's research focuses on cardiovascular disease, particularly inherited heart conditions and aortic diseases such as Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, and bicuspid aortic valve disorders. His work spans cardiovascular genetics, imaging, hemodynamics, and tissue banking for aortic diseases. His laboratory investigates genetic mutations, epigenetic modifiers, and biomechanical properties of the aorta. Analysis of Professor Jeremy's 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent focus on genetic aortopathies, with particular emphasis on comparative clinical outcomes across different syndromes, molecular mechanisms of disease progression, and innovative approaches to risk stratification. His work increasingly incorporates advanced imaging techniques and molecular biology to understand the pathophysiology of aortic diseases. RT Hall Prize for Research, Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand Ralph Reader Prize for Research, Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand Yvonne Ahlmgren Research Award, National Heart Foundation of Australia Professor Jeremy actively supervises Honors and PhD students in cardiology and aortic surgery research. His research program has been supported by multiple NHMRC and National Heart Foundation grants, including the 2016 NHMRC Project Grant 'Beyond the tape measure' focusing on flow dynamics in aortic dilation. He leads several international collaborations through the Montalcino Aortic Consortium and maintains research partnerships with institutions in Belgium, Finland, and the United States. His laboratory work is centered at the Baird Institute for Aortic Research, where his team investigates basic science aspects of aortic disease including genetics, proteomics, cell signaling, and pathology. The group maintains a tissue bank for genetic aortopathies and conducts clinical trials on aortic disease management.