Principal Investigator
Javid Moslehi, MD
I am a cardiologist and myocyte biologist. My clinical focus is cardio-oncology and cardio-immunology. My clinical interests overlap with my laboratory focus, where we are investigating the mechanistic underpinnings of cardiovascular sequelae of novel targeted and immune-based cancer therapies. I have previously directed similar cardio-oncology programs at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (2009-2014) and Vanderbilt (2014-2021) before coming to UCSF. In each case, I have created clinical and research programs involving multiple clinicians, and researchers, as well as robust fellowship programs interested in training the next generation of physician-scientists. Our group works closely with industry and regulatory bodies (e.g., US FDA) to bring new therapies to cardiovascular disease.
Senior Scientists
Amir Munir, MD
Amir Munir, MD is a current Cardiology Fellow at UCSF. He earned his bachelor's degree in Chemistry at Washington University in St Louis, and his MD at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. During medical school, Amir worked in the lab of Saptarsi Haldar, MD studying the role of BET bromodomains in vascular smooth muscle activation. He was subsequently awarded the Sarnoff Fellowship in Cardiovascular Research and spent a year in the lab of Eric Olson, Ph.D. at UT Southwestern. At UTSW, he helped characterize several previously unknown microproteins in putative lncRNAs found in skeletal muscle and cardiomyocytes, including microproteins integral to calcium handling, fatty acid oxidation, and the mitochondrial electron transport chain. He plans to pursue a career as a physician-scientist studying the interplay of cardiology, oncology, and immunology. Outside the lab and hospital, he enjoys hiking, exploring San Francisco, and cheering on his Cleveland sports teams.
Alan Gutierrez
Alan is a third-year medical student at Yale School of Medicine and current Sarnoff Fellow visiting the Moslehi lab. He received his B.A. in Biochemistry from Vassar College in 2018. There, he conducted research on Wingless signaling regulation in Drosophila melanogaster in the Kennell lab. In addition, he was a part of the First Generation 9, a sociological research team that investigated the experiences of first generation college students at a liberal arts institution, under the guidance of Dr. Eréndira Rueda. He was a research associate at the Broad Institute prior to matriculation to YSM. He worked with Dr. Steven Reilly as a part of the ENCODE Consortium Functional Characterization Center’s efforts to develop and apply next-generation non-coding CRISPR screens. As a result, he helped optimize HCR-FlowFISH—a novel technology that identifies cis-regulatory elements in the genome. He is broadly interested in cardiothoracic surgery and T cell immunology. He will be studying myocarditis and is looking forward to the discoveries ahead.
Postdoctoral Scholars
Chen Zhang, PhD
Dr. Chen Zhang is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow in Dr. Moslehi's Lab at UCSF. His research interests encompass intercellular reactions, cardio-immunology, and the study of immune cells in tumors. Prior to joining UCSF, Chen earned his Ph.D. degree in Oncology from Nankai University in 2024, where he focused on the interactions between macrophages and tumor cells. He is enthusiastic about conducting research that has clinical implications. Looking ahead, Chen aspires to make contributions to the fields of cardio-immunology and cancer biology.
Priyanka Manandhar, PhD
Dr. Priyanka Manandhar is a post-doctoral fellow who graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2024. She completed her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology in the laboratory of Dr. Lawrence Kane, Ph.D. Her research focused on the role of Tim-3 on CD8 T cells during the acute and memory stages of a viral infection. She has also worked on the mechanisms of Tim-3 expression in CD8 T cells in the settings of chronic and acute infections. Prior to entering graduate school, she worked as a Junior Specialist at UCSF in the laboratory of Dr. Adrian Erlebacher, working on the Immunology of Pregnancy. She completed her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology with an emphasis on Immunology. During her time as an undergraduate, she was a part of multiple summer research programs in Immunology and Microbiology. Priyanka is interested in the intersection of checkpoint inhibitors and Oncology. Outside of the lab she enjoys hiking, outdoor activities and taking care of her houseplants.
Post-Doctoral Fellows
Richard Baylis, MD, PhD
Dr. Baylis is a current cardiology fellow at UCSF. He earned his bachelor's degree at Ohio State University and his MD at University of Virginia School of Medicine. He completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. In his PhD, he studied the role of smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells in atherosclerosis with a particular focus on the role of inflammation. More recently, he has been focusing on the pathophysiologic similarities of cancer and cardiovascular disease and how this might be of clinical relevance. Outside the lab and hospital, he enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and any activity that allows him to be outside.
Akito Shindo, MD, PhD
Akito Shindo earned his MD and PhD at the University of Tokyo, Japan. He completed his Internal Medicine Residency and cardiology fellowship at NTT Medical Center Tokyo, Japan. In his PhD, he studied the mechanisms by which clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) contributes to the progression of heart failure. His current research interests focus on the role of immune cells in cancer therapy-related cardiovascular diseases. He will start the UCSF cardio-oncology fellowship, along with a post-doctoral fellowship in the Moslehi Laboratory in Spring 2026. Outside of the lab, he enjoys playing tennis and golf.
Graduate Students
Sofia Tasca
Sofia Tasca is a Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) for the UCSF Division of Cardiology Section of Cardio-Oncology and Immunology. She recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a BS in Nutritional Sciences, Physiology and Metabolism. She spent her undergraduate years volunteering at Highland Hospital in Oakland and various non-profit organizations, as well as served as a medical assistant for Silkiss Eye Surgery in Oakland. Sofia's role as a CRC at UCSF involves supporting ongoing clinical studies that focus on advancing our understanding of cardiovascular complications in cancer patients and survivors. She is looking forward to collaborating with this team as she works towards fulfilling her dreams of becoming a physician.
Riad Ghandour
Riad Ghandour is a Junior Specialist in the Moslehi Lab at UCSF. He earned his B.A. in Molecular and Cell Biology from UC Berkeley. His previous research includes investigating ApoE’s role in macrophage bioenergetics at the UCSF Raffai Lab and studying fixational eye movements in amblyopic patients in the lab of Dennis Levi at the UC Berkeley School of Optometry. Riad also served as a Fulbright Scholar in Yunlin County, Taiwan, where he taught science, English, and counseling to middle school students. Outside the lab, he enjoys cycling, training jiu jitsu, and learning languages. He also requires one cup of Yerba Mate during every lab shift.
Undergraduate Students
Yugyung Oh
Yugyung Oh is a Student Intern in the Moslehi Lab at UCSF. She is also an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley, working toward a Bachelor's Degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a focus on Molecular Therapeutics. She plans to pursue a PhD in Immunology after graduation to deepen her understanding of human diseases and contribute to ultimately help relieve her patients of pain and suffering by developing new medicines.
Eva Rodriguez
Eva Rodriguez is a Student Intern in the Moslehi Lab at UCSF. She attends UC Berkeley as an undergrad majoring in Molecular Cell Biology with an emphasis on Immunology and Molecular Medicine. She is excited to participate in her first lab here, and intends to enter into the research field herself while pursuing a PhD in Immunology. Natural Killer cells are her favorite type of cell. Her favorite things to do outside of lab are crocheting, roller skating, and dancing folklorico.
Sakura Yamawaki
Sakura Yamawaki is a student intern in the Moslehi Laboratory at UCSF. She is currently studying chemical biology at UC Berkeley and is hoping to pursue a minor in data science. She hopes to go to medical school, and is considering whether to pursue a MD/PhD so she can continue doing medical research throughout her career as a physician-scientist. She's especially passionate about someday applying her chemistry background to the development of immunologically based therapies, drawn to the idea of understanding diseases by studying the core building blocks of biological systems. Outside the lab, she likes to spend her time trying new restaurants, thrifting, and listening to music.
James Zin
James Zin is a student intern in the Moslehi Lab at UCSF. He is pursuing a degree in Molecular and Cell Biology with an emphasis on immunology and molecular therapeutics at UC Berkeley. He plans to pursue a career in medicine and is particularly interested in uncovering the mechanisms underlying immunological diseases, including autoimmunity and cancer. Through his work in the lab, James hopes to further develop his research skills and contribute to advances in these fields. Outside of the lab, he enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and hiking.
Necla Erdogan
Necla Erdogan is a student researcher in the Moslehi Lab. She is currently studying molecular cell biology at UC Berkeley and is entering the medical field after graduating. Her research interests are centered on the mechanical miracle of cardiology and its overlap with the immune system's elaborate network. Outside of the lab she does a number of things, but mostly enjoys taking care of her balcony garden, attempting the school climbing wall, and working with kids.
Ashley Yan
Ashley Yan is a student intern in the Moslehi Lab. She is an undergraduate at UC Berkeley studying Molecular and Cell Biology with an emphasis in Immunology and Molecular Medicine and is interested in pursuing a minor in Data Science. Working in the Moslehi Lab has given her a deeper understanding of cardio-immunology and strengthened her interest in applying immunology to the development of new therapies. She hopes to continue combining medicine and research throughout her career. Outside of the lab, she enjoys playing badminton, drawing, and watching movies.
Alizey Hussain
Alizey Hussain is a high school student intern in the Moslehi Lab at UCSF. She is interested in pursuing a career in medicine or biology, and she enjoys learning about cardio-immunology in her first lab! She is looking forward to continuing her biology-related studies in college. Her other interests include spending time with her friends, listening to music, and exploring the city.
Adjunct Faculty
Amy Lin, MD, PhD
Dr. Amy Erica Lin is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCSF. Dr. Lin’s clinical and research focus is on cardio-oncology, immunology and clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) and heart disease. Dr. Lin obtained her medical and graduate degrees from the University of Toronto combined MD/PhD Program and Department of Medical Biophysics. Dr. Lin completed internal medicine residency at the University of Toronto, followed by cardiology fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and post-doctoral fellowship at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital as an American Society of Hematology (ASH) and an American College of Cardiology (ACC)/Merck Research Fellow.
Mandar Aras, MD, PhD
Dr. Mandar Aras is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at UCSF. He is an advanced heart failure/transplant cardiologist who is interested in the intersection of cardio-oncology, immunology, and heart failure. He is involved in multiple clinical research projects investigating the use of machine learning in disease detection, understanding cardiac arrhythmias in amyloidosis, and the role of genetic polymorphisms in chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy. Dr. Aras serves on the American Heart Association cardio-oncology subcommittee. Dr. Aras obtained his combined medical and graduate degrees from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine as part of a combined MD/PhD program. Dr. Aras completed an internal medicine residency at Duke University, and fellowships in cardiology and advanced heart failure/transplant cardiology at UCSF.
Alan Baik, MD
Dr. Alan H. Baik is a non-invasive cardiologist with a special interest in cardio-oncology. Cardio-oncology is an emerging field in cardiology that focuses on the cardiovascular care of cancer patients and survivors who have developed cardiovascular disease from their cancer-directed therapies. He provides specialized cardiovascular care to cancer patients who have received traditional chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and radiation therapy. Baik works closely with oncologists and other providers to optimize the cardiovascular care of these patients. Baik earned his medical degree at UCSF, where he was a Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Fellow and graduated with distinction after completing a graduate-level thesis in molecular medicine. He completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in cardiology at UCSF. He has served on the subcommittee for cardio-oncology with the American Heart Association.