Roland Wu

Roland Wu is an Assistant Clinical Professor (Voluntary) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine, specializing in cardiology. He is a board-certified cardiologist and physician-scientist with expertise in general cardiology and echocardiography. Dr. Wu practices inpatient cardiology at UCSF Medical Center and conducts research through the UCSF Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI).

Dr. Wu's educational background includes:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Cornell University
• Medical degree (M.D.) from University of Texas Houston
• Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine at University of Texas Southwestern
• Research Fellowship at Columbia University
• Clinical Fellowship in Cardiology at University of California San Francisco

Dr. Wu's research focuses on understanding human cardiovascular disease by studying the genetics and gene regulation underlying these disorders. His work utilizes advanced technologies such as in vivo genetic and enhancer screens coupled with computational biology. With his background in electrical and computer engineering, Dr. Wu brings a unique perspective to the analysis of Big Data in cardiovascular research, often doing his own computer programming to process genomic data.

His laboratory work at the CVRI investigates which genes are associated with beneficial and harmful responses to cardiovascular injury, assessing how different tissues respond to such injury. Dr. Wu also uses genome editing technologies in animal models to promote healing and minimize heart damage, with future plans to conduct large-scale drug screens for new cardiovascular therapies.

Analysis of Dr. Wu's publication record reveals a strong focus on cardiovascular genetics and molecular mechanisms of heart disease. His research spans from basic science investigations of ion channels and gene regulation to clinical studies of cardiac interventions and transplantation. A notable trend is his progression from molecular and cellular studies toward more translational research with clinical applications, particularly in understanding genetic determinants of heart development, function, and disease.

At UCSF, Dr. Wu works in the lab of Dr. Shaun Coughlin, director of the UCSF Cardiovascular Research Institute. The CVRI at Mission Bay provides an exceptional research community dedicated to advanced cardiovascular research, which Dr. Wu describes as "one of the most exciting places to work."