Jesus A. Araujo

Jesus A. Araujo, MD, PhD, serves as Associate Professor of Medicine in Cardiology at UCLA School of Medicine and Director of Environmental Cardiology. He is affiliated with the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center's Cancer and Stem Cell Biology program, with clinical practice at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center focusing on general cardiology and echocardiography.

His educational background includes:

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

Dr. Araujo's research centers on Environmental Cardiology and Vascular Oxidative Stress, investigating how air pollution—particularly ultrafine particles—triggers atherosclerosis through systemic inflammation and dysfunctional HDL. His laboratory demonstrates that pollutants synergize with oxidized lipids to induce endothelial inflammation while exploring protective roles of HO-1/Nrf2 pathways against vascular damage.

His publication timeline (2003-2012) reveals an evolution from cardiovascular mechanisms to interdisciplinary oncology collaborations, particularly in glioma immunotherapy. The cardiovascular studies dominate his output, with later papers reflecting extensions of his oxidative stress research into pulmonary DNA damage and pro-oncogenic effects.

He directs the Environmental Cardiology and Vascular Biology Laboratory, where his team examines gene-environment interactions in cardiopulmonary disease. His findings on air pollution's cardiovascular impacts have received media recognition, including features on heart health implications.