Dr. Atluri is Director of Mechanical Circulatory Support and Heart Transplant and Director of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Cardiac Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. He has a large practice focused on heart failure and minimally invasive therapy for valvular heart disease. He has written extensively on heart transplantation, mechanical circulatory support, and mitral valve disease. His basic science focus dovetails his clinical focus.
Amit is a PGY5 Resident in the Integrated Cardiac Surgery Program and is a graduate of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. His interests include extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and heart transplantation. He plans to pursue a career in academic surgery.
Takeshi is a resident of cardiovascular surgery from Japan and is a member of Oita University Hospital. His interests include minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) and aortic surgery. In his free time, he likes to listen to and play classical music, and also enjoys traveling and reading.
Jessica is the lab manager and a current research specialist in the lab. She received her Bachelor's in Bioengineering at Temple University and her Master's in Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to working in the lab, she worked at a pharmaceutical company in Exton, PA. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading and playing with her puppy.
Joyce is a Measey Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania with a dual Bachelor's degree in Biology and Political Science in addition to a Master's of Science in Biology. She aspires to go to medical school and pursue a career as a cardiothoracic surgeon. Outside of the lab, she is the founder of a human rights organization.
Andrew Belec graduated from Earlham College with a Bachelors degree in Biochemistry. He plans to attend medical school in the fall. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, trying out new recipes in his air fryer and keeping everyone up to date on Gen Z slang.
Preston is a third-year medical student at Drexel University College of Medicine. He graduated from THE Ohio State University with a bachelors degree in Biochemistry, and from Georgetown University with a masters degree in Physiology. He is interested in pursuing a career in Cardiothoracic Surgery, with particular interest in heart transplantation. In his spare time, Preston enjoys golfing (but not well), exercising, stand-up comedy, and spending time with friends and family.
David is a second-year medical student at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Maryland with dual degrees in biochemistry and biology. He is particularly interested in mechanical circulatory support devices and heart transplantation. In his free time, David enjoys running on the Schuylkill River Trail and biking into the Philadelphia suburbs.
Cindy is a second-year medical student at the Perelman School of Medicine. She graduated from Rutgers University in 2021 with a degree in molecular biology & biochemistry. At Penn, she serves as a general surgery lead personal patient navigator for the Center for Surgical Health and a graphic designer for apenndx, PSOM’s medical humanities magazine. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and sunrise walks.
Mapalo is an undergraduate student currently pursuing a degree in Biology and Economics. He is passionate about using science to serve humanity and particularly about using research methodologies to drive innovative solutions to global challenges. He aspires to be a medical doctor specializing in cardiothoracic surgery.
Noah is a PGY4 General Surgery Resident and aspiring cardiac surgeon-scientist. He is a graduate of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. His professional interests include heart transplantation, mechanical circulatory support devices, and the development of novel heart failure therapies.
Rachel graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelors degree in Biology. She plans to attend NYU Gross Long Island School of Medicine to pursue a career in surgery.
Grace is a first-year Bioengineering Master’s student at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, focusing specifically on Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials. She graduated from Boston University in 2023 with a Bachelors in Biomedical Engineering, where she worked on various projects aiming to combat degeneration in both the brain and the eyes. She is now interested in exploring stem cell therapy applications for the heart. For fun, Grace likes to travel, draw, and spend time with her friends and family.
Humza is a current undergraduate student at the University of Pennsylvania. He is pursuing a double major in Chemistry and Economics and also, a Masters of Science in Chemistry. In addition, he aspires to become a cardiothoracic surgeon.
Chaitanya ("Chad") is an undergraduate at Penn studying Bioengineering and focused on pursuing academic medicine and cardiac surgery. In addition, he is on the board of the Penn Pre-Medical Association, volunteers at multiple worship outreach centers in Philadelphia, and is a peer leader/mentor to other students in various capacities. In his spare time, Chad loves to read and hike with friends.
Triloshan is a current undergraduate student at the University of Pennsylvania. He is pursuing a major in Biochemistry. In addition, he plays trumpet in the Penn Wind Ensemble and volunteers at the university hospital. He is interested in pursuing a career in surgery.
Danika graduated with a B.S. and M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Drexel University in 2020. While at Drexel, she competed on the Varsity Swim and Crew teams. Her clinical interests include cardiology and surgery. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, scuba diving, and going on bike rides.
Missy is a fourth-year veterinary student at PennVet. She earned a BS in biochemistry at the University of Minnesota, where she also conducted preclinical research that evaluated novel cardiac devices and surgical techniques. She aims to specialize in lab animal medicine or surgery, while conducting alongside translational research. Outside of the lab, she enjoys crossword puzzles and spending time with her cat Mulligan.
Sara graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Global Disease Biology. While the Knights Landing (KL) Student-Run Clinic Chair, she was awarded the 2020-2021 Gold UCD Community Service Award for creating the “Resource Table.” The Resource Table provides free weekly resources to the residents of the KL food desert and remains ongoing through UC Davis Medical Center. Ultimately, her passion is to practice rural medicine in underserved communities while targeting social determinants of health. In her free time, she enjoys going to local parks with her guinea pig, “Piglet,” and making soap, which she distributes to individuals in need within her community.
Alan is a CY6 General Surgery Resident and a University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine graduate. He is an aspiring cardiac surgeon. Outside the lab and hospital, he enjoys flying the skies with his new pilot's license and walking around Philly with his puppy "Ekho."
Shahe is a second-year medical student at Drexel College of Medicine and is aspiring to become a Cardiovascular surgeon. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Long Beach State University. Among medicine, Shahe is also passionate about giving back to the community. During his time at Long Beach State, Shahe started a non-profit, UPSS Education Foundation, aimed at providing mentorship and tutoring services to underprivileged students.
Peter is in the General Surgery Program at Thomas Jefferson University and is a graduate of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College. His interests include cardiac surgery and heart failure. He plans to pursue a career in academic cardiac surgery.
Jason is in the Integrated Cardiac Surgery Program. He received his bachelors degree in Neuroscience at Columbia University and is a graduate of the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a writer for the healthcare section of the Philadelphia Inquirer, a writing fellow for Doximity Op (m)-ed, and is interested in heart failure, and clinical ethics. He plans to pursue a career in academic cardiac surgery.
Mark is in the Integrated Cardiac Surgery Program and is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. His interests include valvular disease and heart failure. He plans to pursue a career in academic cardiac surgery.
Michael is in the Integrated Cardiac Surgery Program. He is a graduate ofGonville and Caius College, Cambridge and Imperial College London. He has held honorary research fellowships at The Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital and The Heart Hospital.
1fd7
Dr. Ibrahim completed his PhD under the mentorship of Sir Magdi Yacoub FRS OM. His research focus is on short and long-term advanced therapies for heart failure. In particular, Dr. Ibrahim’s research aims to identify novel therapeutic mechanisms by which mechanical unloading induces reversal of heart failure, alone or in conjunction with novel, disruptive therapies. He also has a research interest in aortic root surgery, including The Ross Operation. He aspires to a career in academic cardiac surgery.
Alexis graduated from Georgetown University '19 and majored in Human Science magna cum laude. She is interested in pursuing a career in neonatal surgery.
Robin graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a double major in Biophysics and Communications in the College. She is interested in pursuing a career in medicine.
Hetal graduated from Drexel University in Biological Sciences with Honors distinction. Outside of research, she is an advocate for homeless healthcare by starting www.ch2i.org, volunteers as an EMT, and dances competitively. She is interested in pursuing a career in medicine and surgery.
Jakub Jarmula (2019-2020)
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
Jakub Jarmula (2019-2020)
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
Samuel Kim (2018-2020)
UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
Samuel Kim (2018-2020)
UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
Zoe Tran (2018-2020)
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Zoe Tran (2018-2020)
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
1fc9
Drew Goldberg, MD MS (2018-2020)
University of Pennsylvania General Surgery Resident
Drew Goldberg, MD MS (2018-2020)
University of Pennsylvania General Surgery Resident
Ann C. Gaffey, MD MS (2018-2019)
University of Pennsylvania Vascular Surgery Fellow
Ann C. Gaffey, MD MS (2018-2019)
University of Pennsylvania Vascular Surgery Fellow
Read More about Amit Iyengar, MD MS 1f79
Read More about Takahiro Tashima, MD
Read More about Devon Kelley, MD, MS
Read More about Takeshi Wada, MD
Read More about Jessica Dominic, MS
Read More about Joyce Ho, MS, BA
Read More about Andrew Belec
Read More about Preston So, MS
Read More about David Rekhtman
Read More about Cindy Song
Read More about Mapalo Mulwe
Read More about Noah Weingarten, MD
Read More about Rachel Wilson
Read More about Grace Chabbott
Read More about Humza Asif
Read More about Chaitanya ("Chad") Karimanasseri
208e Read More about Triloshan Thillaikumaran
Read More about Danika Meldrum, MS
Read More about Melissa Seiberlich
Read More about Sara Guevara-Plunkett, BS
Read More about D. Alan Herbst, MD MS
Read More about Shahe Tchillingirian
Read More about Peter Altshuler, MD
Read More about Jason Han, MD
Read More about Mark R. Helmers, MD
Read More about Michael Ibrahim, MD PhD
Read More about Alexis Schiazza
Read More about Saitej Guttikonda
Read More about Robin Hu
Read More about Hetal Lad
