Jesus A. Araujo

Dr. Jesus A. Araujo serves as Associate Professor of Medicine in the Cardiology Division at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine, where he directs the Environmental Cardiology program and holds membership in the Cancer and Stem Cell Biology research area. Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Echocardiography, he provides clinical care at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center with fluency in English and Spanish.

His educational trajectory includes:

• MD from Universidad Central de Venezuela (1991)
• MS in Molecular Biology from Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (1994)
• PhD in Molecular Biology from UCLA Molecular Biology Institute (2004)
• Internal Medicine Residency/Internship at Beth Israel Medical Center (1994-1998)
• Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship at UCLA School of Medicine (1998-2003)

Dr. Araujo's Environmental Cardiology and Vascular Biology Laboratory pioneers research at the intersection of environmental exposures and cardiovascular pathophysiology. His work employs genetic, biochemical, and translational approaches to dissect:

• Mechanisms linking air particulate matter (especially ultrafine particles) to accelerated atherosclerosis
• Synergistic interactions between pollutant chemicals and oxidized lipids in endothelial inflammation
• Protective roles of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and Nrf2 pathways against vascular oxidative stress
• Emerging connections between air pollution-induced lung inflammation and systemic DNA damage with oncogenic potential

Publication analysis reveals consistent focus on environmental cardiology with methodological integration of genomics, toxicology, and vascular biology. Key themes include dysfunctional HDL formation from pollutant exposure and HO-1's dual role in transplant rejection and atheroprotection.

His contributions earned recognition highlighted in UCLA Health media coverage for elucidating air pollution's cardiovascular impacts.

As Environmental Cardiology Director, Dr. Araujo leads collaborative initiatives spanning cardiology, environmental health sciences, and oncology, with laboratory investigations informing public health responses to urban air quality challenges.