Day Lab Members

Sharlene Day, MD

Presidential Professor and Director of Translational Research, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute
 sharlene.day@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Sharlene M. Day, MD joined Penn Medicine in July 2019 as an Associate Professor of Medicine and Genetics, and Director of Translational Research for the Penn Cardiovascular Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. She earned her B.S from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1991 and her MD from New York University School of Medicine in 1995. She completed her internal medicine residency and cardiovascular medicine fellowship at the University of Michigan, followed by postdoctoral research fellowships in cardiovascular biology and physiology. At the University of Michigan, she established the Program for Inherited Cardiomyopathies and Arrhythmias, where she served as the Director for 12 years. Dr. Day sees patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and other genetic heart conditions in the Penn Center for Inherited Cardiac Disease. Her research program primarily focuses on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and integrates basic, translational and clinical science. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, running, swimming and cycling.

Jaime Yob, MS

Lab Manager
 jaime.yob@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Jaime is the Lab Manager and has been with the Day Lab since the beginning! She got her BS in Biochemistry and her MS in Biology from Eastern Michigan University. She is a mom to two cats and enjoys bowling, going on cruises and watching hockey.

April Allison

Clinical Research Coordinator
 April.Allison@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu

April earned master’s degrees in Sociology and Public Health at UCLA. For two decades she was an editor and communications professional at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine where she provided editorial support to medical faculty; created newsletters, annual reports, and websites; and wrote articles and a book-length History of Family Practice in Michigan. She recently moved to Durham, N.C., with her spouse, Melanie, and their kitty, Little Miss Ellie.

Mary Ann Concannon

Clinical Research Coordinator
 MaryAnn.Concannon@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Maryann Concannon is the HCM database admin. She has works for University of Michigan and PENN and has been in this position 10 years now. She is a graduate of University of Michigan with a BA in Sociology and an MSW in Social Work. She loves her job. For enjoyment she knits and crochets.

Trisha Phan

Clinical Research Assistant
 trisha.phan@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Trisha is from Cape Coral, Florida and received her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a minor in Health Studies from Haverford College in 2024. Outside of work, she dances at Urban Movement Arts and volunteers with Caribbean Community in Philadelphia.

Lucy Plenge

Research Technician C
 lucy.plenge@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Lucy is from Boston, Massachusetts, and she graduated from Villanova University with degrees in Biology and Spanish in 2025. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with friends, walking and hiking, and trying new restaurants. 

Emily Romick

Administrative Coordinator
 emily.romick@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Emily provides administrative support to Dr. Day and her lab as part of Penn's Cardiovascular Institute.  Outside of her work in research administration, Emily enjoys finding time for hiking and reading. 

Kyra Turner

Postdoctoral Researcher

Neha Hafeez

Internal Medicine Resident
 Neha.Hafeez@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Neha is an internal medicine resident, interested in pursuing a career as a cardiologist! She is originally from Michigan. She earned her BS from the University of Michigan (where she first met Dr. Day!) and her MD from the University of Pittsburgh. Neha’s research focuses on the role of social determinants of health in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy outcomes. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, hiking, and making aesthetically appealing food. 

Christopher McAllister

PhD Candidate
 christopher.mcallister@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Chris McAllister is a PhD student at the University of Pennsylvania studying the genetic causes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Originally from the Philadelphia area, Chris earned his undergraduate degree in Biology from West Chester University in 2019 before beginning his graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania in August 2021. Chris’s research focuses on uncovering the molecular mechanisms by which disease-causing variants in the sarcomere gene myosin binding protein c cause HCM. Outside of the lab, Chris enjoys watching Philadelphia sports and golfing.

Savannah Knutson

PhD Candidate
 Savannah.Knutson@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Savannah is a current CPM/CAMB PhD student from Washington State and did her undergraduate degree in genetics and anthropology at Baylor University. She is interested in exercise physiology and is currently exploring HIIT training and the activin pathway in the context of HCM. In her free time she enjoys running and triathlons.