Research Team

Program leadership

• 
  Atta Behfar, M.D., Ph.D.

  • Director, Mayo Clinic Van Cleve Cardiac Regenerative Medicine Program
  • Russ and Kathy Van Cleve Professor of Regenerative Medicine
  • Dr. Behfar is a transplant cardiologist and stem cell biologist with a focus on cardiovascular regeneration. He provides strategic and visionary leadership for the program in support of its overarching mission.
  • Publications
• 
  Drew N. Rosenbaum, M.D.

  • Consultant, Regenerative Clinical Translation
  • Dr. Rosenbaum focuses on the hemodynamics of mechanical circulatory support. He supports the clinical arm of the Mayo Clinic Van Cleve Cardiac Regenerative Medicine Program and also is involved in the program's preclinical projects.
  • Publications
• 
  Andre Terzic, M.D., Ph.D.

  • Director, Cardiovasology Training Program, Mayo Clinic
  • Dr. Terzic, a Distinguished Mayo Clinic Investigator, pioneered regenerative medicine at Mayo Clinic and served as the inaugural director of the Center for Regenerative Medicine. He chairs the President's Discovery-Translation Advisory Board. His team science approach led to the development of next-generation cardioprotective, regenerative and interceptive solutions for heart disease.
  • Publications
• 
  Suraj M. Yalamuri, M.D.

  • Medical Director, Cardiothoracic Transplantation and Left Ventricular Assist Device Critical Care
  • Consultant, Anesthesiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Dr. Yalamuri drives innovation in cardiac mechanical support and tissue preservation. His preclinical research focuses on cardiovascular regeneration and heart transplantation.
  • Publications

Administrative staff

• 
  Allison J. McCabe

  • Ms. McCabe has a background in healthcare administration and quality initiatives. She provides administrative support to the team, including project management and program coordination. She works with the preclinical team to provide quality control oversight and guidance during investigational new drug studies.
• 
  Paul G. Stalboerger, M.S., PMP

  • Mr. Stalboerger manages the program to ensure its operations align with the strategic vision and mission.

Research team

• 
  Humberto De Vitto, Ph.D.

  • Dr. De Vitto is a molecular biologist and a specialist in intracellular pathways that are highly active in cancer cells. These cells can be used to facilitate regeneration in the body. He obtained his doctoral degree from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
  • Publications
• 
  Zeji Du, Ph.D.

  • Dr. Du, a molecular biology expert, develops nonviral gene delivery approaches and technologies for regenerative therapies.
  • Publications
• 
  Matthew L. Hillestad, Ph.D.

  • Dr. Hillestad, a gene therapy expert, develops targeted technologies to deliver new regenerative therapies to the heart.
  • Publications
• 
  Ryan C. Mahlberg, M.S.

  • Mr. Mahlberg has an extensive background in histology and immunological staining. He supports preclinical studies and innovation within the program.
  • Publications
• 
  Mary E. Nagel

  • Ms. Nagel supports surgical care and investigative models to enhance the program's mission and vision.
  • Publications
• 
  Dinah Tauferner

  • Ms. Tauferner graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in biology. She is a postbaccalaureate student in the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Graduate Research Education Program. She uses histological analysis to validate biomarker discovery efforts and explores new mechanisms of heart failure pathogenesis.
• 
  Henriette Thau

  • Ms. Thau graduated from Technical University Berlin in Germany with a Master of Science in medical biotechnology. She joined the program as a student in Mayo Clinic's Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program. She investigates the potential of inducing cardiomyocytes proliferation as a therapeutic option for cardiovascular disease.
• 
  Katrina M. Tollefsrud, R.D.C.S.

  • Ms. Tollefsrud, a registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer, supports the program by performing noninvasive echocardiograms and analysis for preclinical studies.
• 
  Tyra A. Witt

  • Ms. Witt develops investigative models and avenues in surgical supportive care to support the program's mission.
  • Publications

Ph.D. and M.D.-Ph.D. students

• 
  Monique S. Bagwell

  • Ms. Bagwell, a doctoral student, studies exosomes as a diagnostic and therapeutic platform for inflammation-related diseases.
  • Publications
• 
  Skylar A. Rizzo

  • Ms. Rizzo, an M.D.-Ph.D. student, is using exosomes to create a gene-delivery tool.
  • Publications

Postdocs and clinical fellows

• 
  Mohsin Abbas, M.B.B.S.

  • Dr. Abbas, a clinical research fellow, works in cardiac interventional and imaging laboratories. He uses advanced innovation tools including transcriptomics and artificial intelligence.
  • Publications
• 
  Sara S. Inglis, M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O.

  • Dr. Inglis, a clinical research fellow, focuses on advanced heart failure and mechanical circulatory support. She is involved in the program's clinical and preclinical studies.
  • Publications
• 
  Parisa P. Kargaran, Ph.D.

  • Dr. Kargaran works to optimize cardiopoiesis for therapeutic and diagnostic applications in heart disease.
  • Publications
• 
  Tiffany L. Sarrafian Griffiths, D.V.M., Ph.D.

  • Dr. Sarrafian Griffiths generates small- and large-animal models of cardiovascular disease. She also coordinates all reports related to effectiveness and preclinical toxicology. These reports support investigational new drug applications to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
  • Publications