Jonathan A. Epstein

Jonathan A. Epstein, M.D. serves as the Interim Executive Vice President of the University of Pennsylvania for the Health System and Dean of the Perelman School of Medicine, where he also holds the William Wikoff Smith Professor of Cardiovascular Research title. Based in the Department of Medicine, his laboratory is located at the SCTR building on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia.

Dr. Epstein received his A.B. in Biochemistry from Harvard College in 1983 and his M.D. from Harvard Medical School in 1988. His academic career has been dedicated to understanding cardiovascular development and disease mechanisms.

Dr. Epstein's research focuses on molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular development and stem cell biology, with particular emphasis on epigenetic regulation. His laboratory investigates how three-dimensional chromatin organization in the nucleus ('nuclear architecture') contributes to cell identity and differentiation. Key areas include cardiac development, neural crest biology, transcriptional regulation, and innovative approaches using CAR T cell technology to treat cardiac fibrosis. His work has pioneered the concept that entire gene programs defining cardiac cell types can be regulated through interactions between the nuclear lamina and chromatin.

Analysis of Dr. Epstein's recent publications reveals a strong focus on translating basic science discoveries into therapeutic applications, particularly in the area of cardiac fibrosis treatment using engineered immune cells. His work bridges molecular biology, epigenetics, and clinical cardiology, with significant contributions to understanding how chromatin organization affects cardiac development and disease.

As Dean of the Perelman School of Medicine and Executive Vice President of the Health System, Dr. Epstein oversees significant academic and clinical operations while maintaining an active research program. His laboratory includes multiple postdocs, research specialists, and graduate students working on various aspects of cardiovascular biology.

Dr. Epstein's laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding nuclear architecture in cardiac development, pioneered the use of CAR T cells for treating cardiac fibrosis, and elucidated molecular pathways involved in congenital heart disease. His team continues to explore novel therapeutic approaches for common cardiovascular disorders using cutting-edge molecular and cellular techniques.