Heart and Vascular Faculty

Description of Research Expertise

My research program focuses on the role of innate immunity, inflammation and human genomics in subclinical atherosclerosis. I have a particular interest in human genomics, in vivo inflammation and accelerated atherosclerosis. Our trans-disciplinary approach involves genetic epidemiology, cardiovascular radiology and translational medicine, all of which I have advanced training within to understand the role of cellular phenotypes, lipoproteins and common genetic variation on vascular inflammation. Our research program has advanced understanding of the epidemiological association between psoriasis and cardiometabolic diseases, as well as the first to demonstrate in vivo vascular inflammation in severe psoriasis utilizing novel imaging techniques.

Description of Clinical Expertise

My clinical expertise is in Preventive Cardiology, Nuclear Cardiology and General Cardiology. I am the director of the Inflammatory Risk Program which specializes in the preventive cardiometabolic care of patients with psoriasis. Our multidisciplinary approach is the first of its kind and has >200 active patients. I also interpret exercise nuclear tests at HUP and Radnor, as well as serve on the consult service and Coronary Care Unit service at HUP.

Description of Other Expertise

I have experience in medical media and have been featured on ABC News, MSNBC News, several magazines including Men's Health, Fitness as well as newspapers both local and national. Most of the commentary focus on emerging studies on factors of risk for vascular and metabolic diseases, as well as epidemiology of cardiovascular diseases in general. I also speak at several patient-based and community-based lecture series, and write extensively for the lay population on heart disease risk.