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
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.
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.
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.
Postdoctoral Scholars
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.
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.
Clinical Research 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.
Evelyn Song, MD
Evelyn Song is a current cardiology fellow at UCSF. She earned her bachelor's degree at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and her MD at Penn State College of Medicine. She completed her Internal Medicine Residency at Johns Hopkins Osler Residency Program. Her research interests include immunotherapy associated cardiotoxicity, heart transplantation, and medical education. Outside the hospital, she enjoys exploring the food scene in the Bay Area with her husband, hiking with their 2 dogs, and traveling whenever possible. She is also a tea and matcha enthusiast.
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.
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.
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.
Anya Shyani
Anya Shyani is a Student Intern in the Moslehi Lab at UCSF. She is currently pursuing dual degrees in Molecular and Cell Biology, with an emphasis in Immunology and Molecular Medicine, and Economics at UC Berkeley. During her undergraduate years, Anya has volunteered at Highland Hospital in Oakland and has been actively involved in campus organizations such as the Berkeley Forum and the Pre-Medical Honors Society. Anya hopes to pursue a career as a physician in the future. Outside of the lab, she enjoys being outdoors and sculpting.
Vivek Nalluri
Vivek Nalluri is a Student Intern in the Moslehi Lab at UCSF. He is currently pursuing dual degrees in Molecular/Cell Biology and Business Administration through the LSBE program at UC Berkeley. He is passionate about cardiovascular disease from both a pathological and translational perspective. Down the road, he plans to obtain an MD and MBA, hoping to pursue a career in healthcare entrepreneurship. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball, hiking, and thrifting.
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.