Center for Arrhythmia Research
Advancing Cardiovascular Health

The Center for Arrhythmia Research, comprised of a multidisciplinary team of experts, is focused on the understanding of cardiac electrophysiology and disease from the molecular to the organ levels.

Researcher hand with blue gloves handling some samples in a lab

At the Center for Arrhythmia Research, scientists and physicians from a variety of disciplines work together to develop new understanding, methods of diagnosis, and treatments for cardiac diseases with the primary goal of preventing cardiac death. Our scientists have made major advances in the investigation of fundamental molecular, cellular, and tissue mechanisms of complex life-threatening arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.

Our Research

Our research centers around understanding cardiac electrophysiology and disease at the molecular, cellular, and organ levels. Our research objectives are to:

  • Understand how cells in the heart function and communicate with each other.
  • Understand mechanisms of ventricular fibrillation, the major cause of sudden death.
  • Understand mechanisms of atrial fibrillation, the major cause of stroke.
  • Study mechanisms of heart failure and diseases of blood vessels.
  • Develop new treatments for arrhythmias and prevention of sudden death.
  • Develop genetic and stem cells models of human heart diseases.
  • Develop new technologies and methods for cardiovascular investigations and therapies.


 

Our Education Initiatives

The Center for Arrhythmia Research offers multi-disciplinary training and support programs for graduate students, medical students, postdoctoral students, and clinical scientists.

Students come from more than 20 countries. Many are physicians-in-training ­cardiology fellows who have completed medical school, residency, and intend to practice cardiology but want to learn basic cardiac electrophysiology.

Other trainees include graduate students pursuing PhDs and scientists with PhDs seeking postdoctoral education. Our faculty members teach laboratory research, computational research, and elective courses in cardiovascular science. Students meet regularly to discuss research papers with Center for Arrhythmia Research faculty and present their work at scientific meetings. Graduates of the Center for Arrhythmia Research go on to highly coveted positions in academics and industry.

Our Team
Faculty
Justus Anumonwo, PhD Justus M Anumonwo
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine
Associate Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology
Omer Berenfeld photo Omer Berenfeld
Professor of Internal Medicine
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
 L Michel M Espinoza-Fonseca L Michel M Espinoza-Fonseca
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine
Todd Herron Todd J Herron
Research Scientist, Molecular and Integrative Physiology
Research Scientist, Internal Medicine
Andre Monteiro Da Rocha, PhD Andre Monteiro Da Rocha
Research Assistant Professor
Internal Medicine
jalife-jose Jose Jalife
Professor Emeritus of Internal Medicine
Professor Emeritus of Molecular and Integrative Physiology

Postdoctoral Fellow

  • Carlos Cortes, PhD

Research Team