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.
Juan Qin, PhD
Dr. Juan Qin is an Assistant Researcher in Dr. Moslehi’s Lab at UCSF. She is passionate about understanding the immune-cardiac interactions in inflammatory heart disease and cardiotoxicity of cancer therapy, hoping to identify novel safer therapies to treat patients. In the Moslehi Lab, her research is multifaceted and sits at the interface of Cardiology, Oncology, Immunology, Bioinformatics, and Biology. Juan earned her Ph.D. in Cell Biology and Cancer Biology from Nankai University in 2017. During her three years of postdoctoral training at UCLA, she focused on understanding cardiac repair after injury.
Matthew Fleming, MD, PhD
Dr. Matthew Fleming is a post-doctoral fellow in the Moslehi laboratory where he studies the role of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) inhibitors in the development of cardiac arrhythmias. Matthew performed his undergraduate studies in biochemistry at the State University of New York College at Geneseo prior to beginning his graduate studies at Yale University in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology in the lab of Dr. Len Kaczmarek. Matthew’s graduate research focused on ion channel modulation by kinases and mechanisms by which dysregulation of these signaling pathways results in pediatric epilepsy. After completion of his Ph.D., Matthew attended Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons where he earned his MD as a member of the first class of students in a 3 year Ph.D. to MD/Ph.D. track. After graduation, he began his post-graduate medical training at Vanderbilt University in Internal Medicine as a member of the Harrison Society, Vanderbilt’s Physician-Scientist Training Program. Matthew continued his training as a fellow in Cardiology at Vanderbilt and is currently a Fellow in Cardio-Oncology. He is currently co-mentored by Dr. Moslehi at UCSF and Dr. Dan Roden at Vanderbilt.
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.
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 labratory 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.
Claire Rammel
Claire Rammel is a recent graduate from UC Berkeley with a double degree in Molecular and Cell Biology and Psychology. Before joining the Moslehi Lab, Claire worked in the CALM Lab at UC Berkeley under Dr. Sheri Johnson studying Goal-Based Learning and Habit in the context of OCD. Claire also works for the Research Resilience Program in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at UC Berkeley where she holds workshops for undergraduates to meet researching faculty, helps undergraduates find research positions and overall supports the undergraduate research community. In the future Claire hopes to pursue a career as a scientist and researcher.
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 Bachelor of Science 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 encompasses the responsibility of supporting ongoing and prospective clinical studies focusing 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 doctor one day.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Stephen Upton, PhD
Dr. Stephen Upton is a postdoctoral fellow who graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder with a PhD in biochemistry in the summer of 2024. He completed his doctoral research at the University of Colorado, Boulder, devising 3D super-resolution microscopy, single-particle tracking, and FRET microscopy techniques to investigate interactions between bacterial membrane protein complexes in gram-negative bacteria. During his PhD, he interned with Double Helilx Optics, Inc to test and demonstrate novel 3D single molecule microscopy technologies. At KBI Biopharma, Inc and UNC-Chapel Hill he honed his skills in design, purification, and biochemical and biophysical characterization of proteins pertaining to biopharmaceuticals and vaccines. Outside of the lab, he enjoys mountain biking, skiing, cooking new recipes, and seeing live music.
Justin Hyun
Justin Hyun is a Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) at the UCSF Division of Cardiology with a focus on Heart Failure and Amyloidosis. He recently graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology. As an undergraduate student, Justin was a research assistant in the Yumi Kim Lab, studying the structure and function of the synaptonemal complex. Justin also worked as a biology intren at Mirati Therapeutics, focusing on cholangiocarcinoma and BCLXL KO cells. As Justin contributes to the ongoing clinical studies in the Moslehi Lab, his main goal is to pursue a career in medicine. Outside the lab, Justin enjoys exploring San Francisco and playing tennis.
Cade Krawiec
Cade Krawiec is a Junior Specialist in the Moslehi Lab at UCSF. He received his B.S. in general biology at UC San Diego, volunteering as a research assistant in the lab of Dr. Nicholas Spitzer. There, he investigated the changes in neurotransmitter identity which drive the cognitive deficits associated with drugs of abuse. He aspires to pursue a Ph.D. in immunology or a career in medicine. Away from the lab, Cade loves to play soccer and is an avid supporter of the English club Aston Villa.