Francisco Altamirano

Dr. Francisco Altamirano is an Assistant Professor of Cardiovascular Sciences at the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Weill Cornell Medical College, and an Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine. He earned his Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Chile and leads a lab at the Houston Methodist Research Institute since 2020.

• Education: Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences, University of Chile

His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms linking Polycystin-1 (PKD1) mutations to cardiac dysfunction in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). He investigates cardiovascular electrical remodeling, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and regenerative therapies using human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, as highlighted in his 2023 review on translational gaps in heart failure research.

Recent publications (2024) explore TANGO2-deficiency disorder, epigenetic regulation of cardiomyocyte maturation, and IRE1α-mediated translation of hypertrophic transcripts. These works span molecular biology, cardiology, and genetic disorders, emphasizing therapeutic targets like folic acid and autophagy modulation.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Career Development Award, American Heart Association (2021)
  • Pew Biomedical Scholars internal nomination (2022)
  • Presidential Award - Career Cornerstone (2022)

Dr. Altamirano's lab at Houston Methodist Research Institute (established in 2020) investigates polycystin-1's role in cardiovascular function, with projects funded by federal agencies and non-profits. His work integrates regenerative medicine and genetic disease modeling to address ADPKD-related cardiac pathologies.