Cardiovascular Biology and Disease

Diseases of the cardiovascular system are the leading cause of death and morbidity in the US.  CMM faculty with interests in cardiovascular biology use a wide variety of interdisciplinary approaches to investigate the molecular mechanisms of heart development, heart function, heart disease, and other malfunctions of the cardiovascular system. Particular strengths are in the areas of cardiovascular development, mechanisms of myofibril assembly and function, and cardiomyopathy. 

Cardiovascular research faculty in CMM are members of the Sarver Heart Center’s Molecular Cardiovascular Research Program (MCRP). In concert with MCRP faculty from other Departments, the CMM cardiovascular group provides a strong training environment for undergraduates, medical students, graduate students, postdocs and medical residents.

Jared Churko, PhD
Associate Professor, Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Director, UA iPSC Core
Associate Professor, BIO5 Institute
Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Associate Professor, Genetics GIDP
Associate Professor, Physiological Sciences GIDP
(520) 626-2347

Using informatics to understand cardiovascular development and disease mechanisms using human induced pluripotent stem cells.
Brett Colson, PhD
Associate Professor, Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Associate Professor, BIO5 Institute
Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Associate Professor, Clinical Translational Sciences
Associate Professor, Physiological Sciences GIDP
(520) 621-1950

Deciphering the structural basis for cardiac muscle contraction at the molecular level in healthy heart physiology and disease.
Henk Granzier, PhD
Professor, Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Professor, BIO5 Insitutue
Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Professor, Genetics GIDP
Professor, Molecular and Cellular Biology
Professor, Physiological Sciences GIDP
Professor, Physiology
(520) 626-3641

Discovering mechanisms whereby the giant filamentous protein titin influence muscle structure and function.
Shanna Hamilton, PhD
Assistant Professor, Cellular and Molecular Medicine
520-621-0303

Discovering molecular mechanisms that regulate calcium handling and contribute to arrhythmogenesis in the diseased heart.
Casey E. Romanoski, PhD
Associate Professor, Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Associate Professor, Clinical Translational Sciences
Associate Professor, Genetics GIDP
Associate Professor, BIO5 Institute
(520) 626-7244

Systems genetics approaches to identify mechanisms of complex disease.
Sakthivel Sadayappan, PhD, MBA
Professor and Department Head, Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Associate Director, Sarver Heart Center
Czarina M. & Humberto S. Lopez Endowed Chair
(520) 621-1583

Leading advanced research and education programs in muscle biology