Biography

I am a translational researcher leveraging my expertise in cohort development, clinical trials, clinical cardiology, cardiovascular epidemiology, bio-banking, and biomarker development to better understand atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and to improve ASCVD risk prediction. I completed a Masters of Science in Clinical Research graduate program at Emory University, am a board-certified Cardiologist and Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Louisville. I am the Medical Director of the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Vanderbilt University and the Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program—Research Focus. I have significant experience with the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA); serve on the MESA Project & Publication Committee and am the co-PI of a R-01 that is utilizing MESA to define the epidemiology of the etiologically defined subtypes of myocardial injury and infarction (1R01HL158976-01). I serve on the Steering Committee for the Myocardial Ischemia and Transfusion (MINT) Trial. MINT is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded randomized control trial with over 100 sites around the world. My work has been published in multiple peer-reviewed journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine, Annals of Internal Medicine, The Lancet, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, European Heart Journal, and Circulation. My ongoing clinical work allows me to identify the questions that can make the largest and most immediate contributions to science and society. My experience as a PI on NIH, Foundation, and Industry Grants has taught me the importance of collaboration, leadership, communication, and planning needed to successfully orchestrate innovative projects.

My career has been and continues to be influenced by multiple scientific and career mentors. More importantly, my work has been shaped by many bright trainees who I have had the pleasure of working with. I strive to provide a structured environment for trainees that provides specific training in experimental design, methodology, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of results while providing the mentee room to think creatively and find their specific scientific passion. My laboratory seeks diversity, including diversity of demographic and training backgrounds as well as a diversity of scientific ideas and approaches. In addition to scientific knowledge and methodology, mentees in my laboratory receive training in project management, productivity, and exposure to different scientific careers. I leverage the resources at my institution, Vanderbilt University, and throughout my research network, including MESA and MINT, to afford trainees a greater diversity of ideas and resources.