Mark Pletcher

Mark Pletcher, MD, MPH is a Professor in the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. In 2023, he became Chair of the UCSF Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. He is an epidemiologist and general internal medicine physician whose research focuses on clinical decision-making and policy relevant to primary care and prevention, particularly in cardiovascular disease prevention.

Dr. Pletcher earned his M.D. from the University of California, San Francisco in 1998 and completed his residency at UCSF School of Medicine. He also completed UCSF's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training in 2019.

His research interests span cardiovascular disease prevention with particular focus on early life causes of atherosclerosis, prevention of coronary heart disease, clinical decision-making regarding preventive medications, screening for subclinical cardiovascular disease, interventions to improve blood pressure control, and the use of technology to enhance health outcomes. He has led numerous studies on marijuana use and cardiovascular health, blood pressure management, and digital health interventions. His work often leverages large cohort studies like the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on digital health interventions for hypertension management, cardiovascular risk assessment in young adults, liver disease applications of artificial intelligence, and the impact of pandemic policies on mental and physical health outcomes. His research increasingly incorporates machine learning and large language models for clinical decision support, particularly in gastroenterology and cardiology applications.

Dr. Pletcher leads the UCSF CTSI's Informatics and Research Innovation Program and has been Principal Investigator on numerous NIH and PCORI-funded projects including the Health eHeart Study and the PCORnet Blood Pressure Control Laboratory. His research funding spans cardiovascular disease prevention, digital health interventions, and health policy evaluation.

He mentors students, fellows, and junior faculty members, and teaches clinical research methods. His laboratory work focuses on the Health eHeart Alliance and related digital health initiatives that leverage consumer technologies for cardiovascular research.