Cardiovascular Faculty

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Bill Clark
Phone:
Email: wclark10@umphysicians.umn.edu
Fax: 
Mail: 420 Delaware ST SE
MMC 508 Mayo
8508A (Campus Delivery Code)
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Madhu's clinical practice comprises noninvasive cardiac imaging (including echocardiography, cardiac CT, and cardiac MRI) and general cardiology. His general-cardiology clinic treats all adult patients, including those with congenital heart disease, valvular disease, and coronary-artery disease.

Research Summary

In addition to cardiac imaging, Dr. Madhu is interested in computer-enhanced acoustic diagnostic techniques. He has partnered in biomedical engineering research to improve stethoscope technology, and is currently involved in clinical studies to determine whether preliminary diagnosis of coronary and carotid blockages can be accurately determined using an electronic acoustic recording instrument.

Clinical Summary

General cardiology; Valvular heart disease; Coronary artery disease; Marfan's syndrome; Adult congenital heart disease; Echocardiography; Cardiac MRI; Cardiac/coronary CT angiography

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Mai Xiong
Phone: 612-626-1370
Email: mtxiong@umn.edu
Fax: 612-626-4411

Summary
Dr. Maharaj is an Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant cardiologist. He received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota, completed internal medicine residency training at Loyola University Medical Center, and came back to the University of Minnesota for general cardiology and heart failure fellowships. His interests include treatment of advanced heart failure, cardiomyopathies, and cardiogenic shock, use of temporary and durable mechanical circulatory support devices, and studying outcomes and complications related to heart transplantation.

Research Summary

• Use of Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support
• Cardiorenal Syndrome
• Heart Transplant Outcomes and Complications

Teaching Summary

Hemodynamics, Pathophysiology, Temporary Mechanic Circulatory Support

Clinical Summary

Amyloid and Infiltrative Cardiomyopathies; Advanced Heart Failure

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Bill Clark
Email: wclark10@umphysicians.umn.edu 
Mail: 420 Delaware ST SE
MMC 508
Minneapolis, MN 55401

Summary
Dr. Markowitz received his M.D. from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, then completed his Internal Medicine residency at UPMC in Pittsburgh PA, and then completed Cardiology and Advanced Cardiac CT Imaging Fellowships at the University of Minnesota.

His clinical interests include Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Cardiac Sarcoidosis, as well as Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging, with a particular interest in the use of Cardiac CT for planning of complex structural interventions.

Dr. Markowitz is also interested in Medical Informatics, and is the Informatics Director for the Cardiovascular Service Line.  

Research Summary

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
• Cardiovascular CT

Teaching Summary

• Human Health & Disease: Cardio & Resp - INMD 6808
• OSUR5277

Clinical Summary

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy; Cardiac Sarcoidosis; Cardiac Imaging; Cardiac CT

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Lisa Moe
Email: seif0046@umn.edu
Mail: Cancer & Cardiovascular Research Building
Lillehei Heart Institute
2231 6th Street SE
1st Floor Mailroom CCRB
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Focus Areas:

• Myocardial Calcium Cycling 
• Therapies for Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
• Biological Effects of Heart Rate and Chronotherapy

Research Summary

• Heart Failure

Research Funding Grants

• R01 HL122744-01A1 NIH-NHLBI

Service Summary

• Heart Failure

 

Clinical Summary

Hypertension and Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Bill Clark
Email: wclark10@umphysicians.umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE
MMC 508 Mayo
8508A (Campus Delivery Code)
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr Nijjar received his early education in India, and after completing his Internal Medicine residency and Cardiac Prevention training in Philadelphia, he moved to Minneapolis for fellowship training in Cardiology and Advanced Cardiac Imaging at the University of Minnesota. He has a general cardiology practice, with a focus on cardiac prevention. He is involved in the conduct of clinical trials in behavioral cardiology, including studying the benefits of meditation in treatment of heart disease. He is the medical director of cardiac CT, and is passionate about the optimal use of CT in diagnosis of various heart conditions.

Research Summary

Dr Nijjar's research interests include optimal use of cardiac CT and MRI, behavioral cardiology, and benefits of meditation in treatment of heart disease.

Clinical Summary

Cardiac Imaging; Coronary artery disease; Lipid/Cholesterol disorders; Cardiac Prevention; Cardiac CT; Cardiac MRI; Wellness/Integrative Medicine; South Asian Health

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Esther Almeida
Email: ealmeida@umn.edu
Mail: 2231 6th Street SE
4-132
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Jin O-Uchi MD, PhD is Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Lillehei Heart Institute, Department of Medicine, Cardiology Division at the University of Minnesota. Dr. O-Uchi received the MD and PhD degree from Jikei University School of Medicine in Japan. He did a postdoctoral fellowship at University of Rochester and worked as an Instructor and a Research Assistant Professor at Thomas Jefferson University. Prior to his position with the U of MN, , he was at Cardiovascular Research Center at Brown University and Rhode island Hospital as an Assistant Professor of Medicine. His research potential has been recognized at a national level by grant awards from NIH/NHLBI, NIH/NIGMS, American Heart Association (AHA) and American Physiological Society (APS). He serves on several editorial boards for publications including Frontiers in Physiology; Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine; Frontiers in Genetics; Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology; World Journal of Cardiology; Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Research; and JSM Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Dr. O-Uchi is a Fellow of Cardiovascular Section of American Physiological Society (FCVS), and a Trustee (elected) of Japanese Physiological Society (JPS). He is a member of the and the American Heart Association (AHA), International Society for Heart Research (ISHR), American Physiological Society (APS), Biophysical Society (BPS), and Cardiac Muscle Society, among others. His research interests include cardiac excitation-contarction/metabolism coupling, heart failure, sudden cardiac death, cardiac channelopathies, and cardiac mitochondrial biology. Come work with us! Visit https://med.umn.edu/lhi/about/jobs to see open positions in the O-Uchi lab.

Research Summary

Arrhythmia Heart Failure Adrenergic Signaling Ion Channels Mitochondria

Clinical Summary

Arrhythmia; Heart Failure

Bio

Our laboratory has a long-term interest in understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling lineage-specific differentiation of pluripotent stem cells (PSC), which has led to the efficient generation of  PSC-derived myogenic progenitor cells endowed with in vivo regenerative potential. Current research projects focus on the effect of the environment on the engraftment and maturation of PSC-derived myogenic progenitors, the development of allogeneic and autologous cell therapy for muscular dystrophies (MD), and application of MD patient-specific iPSC-derived muscle derivatives for disease modeling and drug discovery.

Creative Activity Summary

Full list of publications at Experts@Minnesota or PubMed.

1. Baik J, Ortiz-Cordero C, Magli A, Azzag K, Crist SB, Yamashita A, Kiley J, Selvaraj S, Mondragon-Gonzalez R. Perrin E, Maufort JP, Janecek JL, Lee RM, Stone LH, Rangarajan P, Ramachandran S, Graham ML, & Perlingeiro RCR. (2023). Establishment of skeletal myogenic progenitors from non-human primate induced pluripotent stem cells. Cells, 12(8), 1147; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12081147.
2. Singh BN, Yucel D, Garay BI, Tolkacheva EG, Kyba M, Perlingeiro RCR, van Berlo J, & Ogle BM, (2023) Proliferation and Maturation: Janus and the art of engineered cardiac tissue. Circulation Research, 132(4):519-540.  PMCID: PMC9943541.
3. McKenna DH & Perlingeiro RCR, (2023) Development of allogeneic iPS cell-based therapy: from bench to bedside. EMBO Molecular Medicine, 15(2):e15315. PMCID: PMC9906386.
4. Azzag K, Bosnakovski D, Tungtur S, Salama P, Kyba M, & Perlingeiro RCR, (2022) Transplantation of pluripotent stem cell-derived myogenic progenitors counteracts disease phenotypes in a mouse model of FSHD. NPG Regenerative Medicine,  7(1):43. PMCID: PMC9440030.
5. Garay BI, Givens S, Stanis N, Magli A, Yücel D, Abrahante JE, Goloviznina NA, Soliman HAN, Dhoke NR, Baik J, Kyba M, van Berlo JH, Ogle B, & Perlingeiro RCR, (2022) Inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway enhances maturation of human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. Stem Cell Reports. 17(9):2005-2022. PMCID: PMC9481895.
6. Kim H, & Perlingeiro RCR, (2022) Generation of human myogenic progenitors from pluripotent stem cells for in vivo regeneration. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. 8;79(8):406. doi: 10.1007/s00018-022-04434-8. PMCID: PMC9270264.
7. Ortiz-Cordero C, Bincoletto, C, Dhoke N, Selvaraj S, Magli A, Zhou H, Kim D-H, Bang AG, & Perlingeiro RCR, (2021), Defective autophagy and increased apoptosis contribute toward the pathogenesis of FKRP-associated muscular dystrophies. Stem Cell Reports. 16(11):2752-2767. PMCID: PMC8581053.
8. Dhoke N, Kim H, Selvaraj S, Oliveira NAJ, Azzag K, Tungtur S, Ortiz-Cordero C, Kiley J, Lu QL, Bang A, & Perlingeiro RCR, (2021), A universal gene correction approach for FKRP-associated dystroglycanopathies to enable autologous cell therapy. Cell Reports. 36(2):109360. PMCID: PMC8327854.
9. Ortiz-Cordero C, Magli A, Dhoke N, Kuebler T, Selvaraj S, Oliveira NA, Zhou H, Sham YY, Bang AG, & Perlingeiro RCR, (2021), “NAD+ enhances ribitol and ribose rescue of α-dystroglycan functional glycosylation in human FKRP-mutant myotubes”. Elife, 2021 10:e65443. PMCID: PMC7924940
10. Ortiz-Cordero C, Azzag K, & Perlingeiro RCR, (2021), “Fukutin-Related Protein: from Pathology to Treatments”. Trends in Cell Biology, 31:197-210. PMID: 33272829 (cover article).
11. Kim H, Selvaraj S, Kiley J, Azzag K, Garay BI, & Perlingeiro RCR, (2021), “Genomic safe harbor expression of PAX7 for the generation of engraftable myogenic progenitors”. Stem Cell Reports, 16:10-19.PMCID: PMC7815936
12. Baik J, Felices M, Yingst A, Theuer, CP, Verneris MR, Miller JS, & Perlingeiro RCR,(2020), “Therapeutic effect of TRC105 and decitabine combination in AML xenografts”. Heliyon, 6(10):e05242. PMCID: PMC7566100.
13. Incitti T, Magli A, Jenkins J, Lin K, Yamamoto A and Perlingeiro RCR, (2020), “Pluripotent stem cell-derived skeletal muscle fibers preferentially express oxidative myosin heavy-chain isoforms: new implications for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy”. Skeletal Muscle, 10(1):17. PMCID: PMC7268645
14. Azzag K, Ortiz-Cordero C, Oliveira NAJ, Magli A, Selvaraj S, Tungtur S, Upchurch W, Iaizzo PA, Lu QL and Perlingeiro RCR, (2020) “Efficient Engraftment of Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Myogenic Progenitors in a Novel Immunodeficient Mouse Model of Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy 2I”. Skeletal Muscle, 10(1):10. PMCID: PMC7175515.
15. Selvaraj S, Mondragon-Gonzalez R, Xu B, Magli A, Kim H, Lainé J, Kiley J, McKee H, Rinaldi F, Aho J, Tabti N, Shen W, & Perlingeiro RCR, (2019) “Screening identifies small molecules that enhance the maturation of human pluripotent stem cell-derived myotubes”. eLIFE, 8. pii: e47970. PMCID: PMC6845233.
16. Selvaraj S, Dhoke N, Kiley J, Aierdi AJM, Mondragon-Gonzalez R, Killeen G, Oliveira VKP, Tungtur S, Munain AL & Perlingeiro RCR, (2019) “Gene Correction of Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Type 2A Patient-Specific iPS Cells for the Development of Targeted Autologous Cell Therapy”. Molecular Therapy,27:2147-2157. PMCID: PMC6904833.
17. Selvaraj S, Kyba M & Perlingeiro RCR, (2019) “Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Therapeutics for Muscular Dystrophies” Trends in Molecular Medicine. 25:803-816. PMCID: PMC6721995. (cover article)
18. Mondragon-Gonzalez R, Azzag K, Selvaraj S, Yamamoto A & Perlingeiro RCR, (2019) “Transplantation studies reveal internuclear transfer of toxic RNA in engrafted muscles of myotonic dystrophy 1 mice”. eBioMedicine. 47:553-562. PMCID: PMC6796515.
19. Magli A, Baik J, Pota P, Ortiz Cordero C, Kwak IY, Garry DJ, Love PE, Dynlacht BD and Perlingeiro RCR, (2019) “Pax3 cooperates with Ldb1 to direct local chromosome architecture during myogenic lineage specification”. Nature Communications, 10:2316. PMCID: PMC6534668.

Full list of publications at Experts@Minnesota or PubMed.

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Lisa Moe
Phone:
Email: seif0046@umn.edu
Fax: 
Mail: Cancer & Cardiovascular Research Building
Lillehei Heart Institute
1st Floor Mailroom CCRB
2231 6th Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Prins is dedicated to understanding right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in pulmonary hypertension. He studies the RV in clinical studies as well as his basic science laboratory. He has given talks at multiple international conferences and receives grant funding from the NIH. Come work with us! Visit https://med.umn.edu/lhi/about/jobs to see open positions in the Prins lab.

Research Summary

• Pulmonary Hypertension
• Right Ventricular Failure
• CTEPH
• Clinical Trial Participation
• Pulmonary Balloon Angioplasty

Teaching Summary

• Cardiac Physiology

Clinical Summary

CTEPH, Invasive hemodynamics, Pulmonary embolus, Pulmonary artery hypertension, Pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure, Right ventricular dysfunction

Bio

Dr. Prisco is a cardiovascular physician-scientist who specializes in treating pulmonary hypertension. She has a basic science laboratory that investigates mechanisms of right ventricular dysfunction in pulmonary hypertension. She received her M.D. and Ph.D. at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She completed her training in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease at the University of Minnesota through the Physician-Scientist Training Pathway. As a cardiology fellow, she secured a National Institutes of Health postdoctoral grant (NIH F32) and won early career investigator awards from the American Heart Association (AHA), American College of Cardiology, and Northwestern Cardiovascular Young Investigators’ Forum. 

Research Summary

Right Ventricular Failure; Pulmonary Hypertension; Translational Research

Creative Activity Summary

• NIH Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (K08 Grant) (2023-2028)
• American Heart Association Career Development Award (2023-2026)
• American Heart Association Cardiopulmonary, Critical Care, Perioperative and Resuscitation Cournand and Comroe Early Career Investigator Award Winner (2021)
• American College of Cardiology Young Investigator Award Winner in Basic and Translational Science (2021)
• National Institutes of Health Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32 Grant) (2021-2022)
• Northwestern Cardiovascular Young Investigators' Forum Winner in Fellows Basic Science (2020)
• National Institutes of Health Ruth L. Kirschstein Institutional National Research Service Award (T32 Grant) (2019-2021)
• University of Minnesota Department of Medicine Peter Bitterman Award for Outstanding Postdoctoral Basic Research (2021)
• University of Minnesota Yang Wang Cardiology Research Fellowship Award (2021)
• University of Minnesota Cecil J. Watson Award (2021); University of Minnesota Cardiovascular Retreat (CardioPalooza) Best Postdoctoral Fellow Oral Presentation (2021)
• University of Minnesota Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) Translational Research Development Program Grant (2020-2022)

Teaching Summary

Training Future Physicians and Scientists.

Clinical Summary

Pulmonary Hypertension; Right Ventricular Dysfunction

Bio

Administrator Info
Email: cvheart@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE
MMC 508 Mayo
8508A (Campus Delivery Code)
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Heart disease is a chronic disease that requires a system of care to provide establisehd treatments and patient education and reinforcement, as well as to use established therapies in new and novel ways, and provide access to new and promising therapies as they emerge. We have a system of care that provides easy access and a team approach to long-term care, patient education, and therapy adjustment.

Clinical Summary

Complex heart disease and disease management; Heart failure; Non-healing wounds; Pulmonary artery hypertension; Heart transplantation and regeneration; Endothelial dysfunction (blood vessel disease); Electrophysiology

Bio

Dr. Ramu is an Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiologist, with additional expertise in Cardio-Obstetrics and Cardio Oncology. She is being recruited from the Medical University of South Carolina where she served as Director of Cardio-Oncology and Co-Medical Director of the Cardiovascular ICU. In her new role at the University of Minnesota, she will serve as the Director of Cardio-Obstetrics program apart from continuing her Advanced heart failure and Cardio-Oncology practice. Dr. Ramu’s research interests include increasing the understanding of and reducing the impact of health-related disparities in patients with advanced heart failure, with a goal of reducing health inequities and improving the health of disadvantaged and vulnerable populations. This research spans the fields of advanced heart failure, Cardio-Obstetrics and Cardio-Oncology.

Research Summary

Health related disparities in advanced heart failure, Cardio-Obstetrics, Cardio-Oncology

Creative Activity Summary

• American College of Cardiology's Emerging Faculty 2022
• ISHLT's 2022 Cardiology Professional Community Award for Excellence
• MUSC's John R. Raymond Mentoring Fellowship Award 2022; Highest patient satisfaction scores

Teaching Summary

 Teaching and mentoring trainees, Women in Cardiology

Service Summary

• American College of Cardiology
• American Heart Association
• Heart Failure Society of America
• International Society of Heart & Lung Transplantation
• American Society of Transplantation
• Women in Heart Transplant & Mechanical Circulatory Support

Clinical Summary

Advanced heart failure, Cardio-Obstetrics, Cardio-Oncology