Tamer Sallam

Dr. Tamer Sallam is Vice Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and a clinical cardiologist at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. He is a member of the Atherosclerosis Research Unit and Cardiovascular Theme Initiative at UCLA, and serves as co-director of the UCLA Center for Cholesterol Management and Executive Co-Director of the UCLA Specialty Training and Advanced Research (STAR) Program.

Dr. Sallam's educational background includes:

• MD from UC Irvine School of Medicine (2005)
• PhD in Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology from UCLA School of Medicine (2014)
• Cardiology fellowship at UCLA School of Medicine (2014)
• Residency and chief residency in Internal Medicine at Yale-New Haven Hospital (2008-2009)

His research focuses on the role of novel transcription factor regulatory circuits in cardiometabolic disease, particularly investigating cholesterol metabolism, atherosclerosis, and non-coding RNA mechanisms. Dr. Sallam's laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding how lipid-responsive non-coding RNAs like LeXis modulate cholesterol homeostasis. His work bridges basic molecular mechanisms with clinical applications in hypercholesterolemia, familial dyslipidemia, and coronary artery disease.

Analysis of Dr. Sallam's publications reveals a consistent focus on molecular mechanisms of cardiometabolic disease, with particular emphasis on regulatory circuits controlling lipid metabolism and vascular biology. His research spans basic molecular biology, translational studies, and clinical investigations, demonstrating an integrated approach to understanding cardiovascular disease pathogenesis.

Dr. Sallam has received numerous scientific awards including:

• Induction into American Society for Clinical Investigation (2022)
• Transformational Project Grant Award from American Heart Association (2020)
• Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award for Medical Scientist (2017)
• American College of Cardiology Presidential Career Development Award (2015)
• NIH K Award

As a mentor and educator, Dr. Sallam plays a significant role in training the next generation of physician-scientists through the UCLA STAR Program. His laboratory includes multiple post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, and research technicians working on various aspects of cardiometabolic disease. He has secured multiple independent NIH grants to support his research program investigating novel mechanisms of cholesterol metabolism and atherosclerosis.

Dr. Sallam directs the Sallam Laboratory at UCLA, which is part of the Atherosclerosis Research Unit and Molecular Biology Institute. His team employs cutting-edge approaches including CRISPR tools to study noncoding RNAs and their role in metabolic homeostasis. The laboratory focuses on RNA binding protein Raly, lncRNA LeXis, and novel regulatory circuits controlling metabolic disorders such as dyslipidemia, obesity, and atherosclerosis.