TARDIS Mentors
Internal Medicine Mentors
![Dr. Zahid Ahmad](/departments/internal-medicine/divisions/endocrinology/assets/ahmad-zahid-square.jpg)
Zahid Ahmad, M.D. , Associate Professor
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology
Research Interests: 1) identifying the cause(s) of cholesterol and triglyceride disorders and 2) establishing new treatment options for patients who suffer from these disorders.
![Dr. James Brugarolas](/departments/internal-medicine/divisions/hematology-oncology/assets/brugarolas-james-square.jpg)
James Brugarolas, M.D., Ph.D., Professor
Director of the Kidney Cancer Program
Department of Internal Medicine,
Division of Hematology and Oncology
Research Interests: Kidney cancer, renal cell carcinoma (RCC); Molecular genetics and genomics of cancer; Molecularly targeted therapies; Mechanisms of resistance to targeted agents; Research translation; Biomarkers; Immunotherapy
![Dr. Ezra Burstein](/departments/internal-medicine/divisions/digestive-liver-diseases/assets/burstein-ezra-square.jpg)
Ezra Burstein, M.D., Ph.D., Professor
Department of Internal Medicine,
Division Chief, Digestive and Liver Diseases
Research Interests: COMMD proteins: regulation of endosomal protein sorting and immune function by members of this protein family; Genetics of inflammatory disorders; Genetic basis of disorders of immune function, particularly affecting the GI tract; Mucosal immunity and immune-tumor interactions in the GI tract
![Dr. Thomas Carroll](/departments/internal-medicine/divisions/nephrology/assets/carroll-thomas-square.jpg)
Thomas J. Carroll, Ph.D., Professor
Departments of Internal Medicine and Molecular Biology, Division of Nephrology
Research Interests: Developmental biology, Genetics, Cell polarity, Polycystic kidney disease, and Cancer
Research Lab
![Dr. David Gerber](/departments/internal-medicine/divisions/hematology-oncology/assets/gerber-david-square.jpg)
David Gerber, M.D., AProfessor
Departments of Internal Medicine and Population and Data Sciences; Division of Hematology and Oncology
Research Interests: Lung cancer, clinical and translational research; Oncology outcomes research
![Dr. Sarah Huen](/departments/internal-medicine/divisions/nephrology/assets/huen-sarah-square.jpg)
Sarah Huen, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Departments of Internal Medicine and Pharmacology, Division of Nephrology
Research Interests: Acute Kidney Injury; Inflammation and Sepsis; Inflammatory cachexia; Renal Metabolism
Research Lab
![Dr. Rodney Ifante](/departments/internal-medicine/divisions/digestive-liver-diseases/assets/infante-rodney-square.jpg)
Rodney Infante, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Center for Human Nutrition and Department of Internal Medicine
Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases
Research Interests: Cachexia, Cytokine-Associated Adipocyte, Lipolysis, Lipid Metabolism Obesity
![Dr. Mark Link](/departments/internal-medicine/divisions/cardiology/assets/link-mark-square.jpg)
Mark S. Link, M.D., Professor
Department of Internal Medicine
Division of Cardiology, Director, Cardiac Electrophysiology
Research Interests: Air Pollution and Arrhythmias, Atrial Fibrillation, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Resuscitation, Sudden Cardiac Death
![Dr. Lenette Lu](/departments/internal-medicine/divisions/infectious-diseases/assets/lu-lenette-square.jpg)
Lenette Lu, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Departments of Internal Medicine and Immunology
Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine
Research Interests:Antibody Effector Functions, Antibody Glycosylation, Host Microbial Interactions, Humoral Immunity, Tuberculosis
Research Lab
![Dr. Una Makris](/departments/internal-medicine/divisions/rheumatic-diseases/assets/makris-una-square.jpg)
Una Makris, M.D., Professor
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatic Diseases
Dr. Makris’ research is focused on degenerative musculoskeletal pain conditions in older adults. Her research is based out of the Dallas VA and UTSW. Her research spans secondary data analysis, patient reported outcomes research, qualitative methods and more recently trials to evaluate behavioral interventions for comorbid back pain and depression in older adults.
![Dr. Denise Marciano](/departments/internal-medicine/divisions/nephrology/assets/marciano-denise-square.jpg)
Denise Marciano, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor
Departments of Internal Medicine and Cell Biology, Division of Nephrology
Dr. Marciano's research is focused on genetics and cell biology of kidney disease, developmental biology, epithelial biology and cell polarity, glomerular development and function.
Research Lab
![Dr. John Minna](/departments/internal-medicine/divisions/hematology-oncology/assets/minna-john-square.jpg)
John Minna, M.D., Professor
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology
Research Interests: Breast Cancer, Genome wide mRNA, protein, and DNA analysis, Lung Cancer, Molecular biomarkers of response to cancer therapy, Molecular pathogenesis of human cancer
![Dr. Nikhil Munshi](/departments/internal-medicine/divisions/cardiology/assets/munshi-nikhil-square.jpg)
Nikhil Munshi, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology
Assistant Director, Physician Scientist Program
Research Interests: Cardiac Development, Cardiac Dysrhythmia, Microfluidics, Regeneration, Reprogramming, Serum Biomarkers, Single-cell genomics, Transcriptional Regulation
Research Lab
![Dr. Michael Shiloh](/departments/internal-medicine/divisions/infectious-diseases/assets/shiloh-michael-square.jpg)
Michael Shiloh, M.D, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Departments of Internal Medicine and Microbiology, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine
Research Interests: Innate immune response to intracellular pathogens, Microbial pathogenesis, Mucosal immunology, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Role of carbon monoxide (CO) in host-pathogen interactions
Research Lab
![Dr. Lance Terada](/departments/internal-medicine/divisions/pulmonary-critical-care/assets/terada-lance-square.jpg)
Lance Terada, M.D., Professor
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Research Interests: Anchorage sensing and anoikis, Oxidant biochemistry, Signal transduction, and Vascular biology
Research Lab
![Dr. Dwight Towler](/departments/internal-medicine/divisions/endocrinology/assets/towler-dwight-square.jpg)
Dwight Towler, M.D., Ph.D., Professor
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology
Associate Dean, Resident Research
Research Interests: Arteriosclerosis, Calcification, Wnt Signaling, Extracellular Vesicle Biology, Signal Transduction
![Dr. Peter Van Buren](/departments/internal-medicine/divisions/nephrology/assets/van-buren-peter-square.jpg)
Peter Van Buren, M.D., Assistant Professor
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology
My primary research interest is in treating hypertension and reducing cardiovascular disease and mortality in HD patients
Research Profile
Pediatric Mentors
![Dr. Lina Chalak](/departments/pediatrics/who-we-are/faculty/assets256/chalak-lina.jpg)
Lina Chalak, M.D., Associate Professor
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
Interests: Neonatal brain injury, asphyxia, hypothermia
![Dr. Dai Chung](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/utsw-patientcare-web-production/images/chung-dai-185119-200x200.width-200.jpg)
Dai Chung, M.D., Professor
Chief, Division of Pediatric Surgery
Research Interests: Neuroendocrine Regulation of Neuroblastoma
![Dr. Jyothsna Gattineni](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/utsw-patientcare-web-production/original_images/gattineni-jyothsna-77129-200x200.jpg)
Jyothsna Gattineni, M.D., Associate Professor
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Nephrology
Interests: FGF23 and its receptors, Tubular Transport
![Dr. Natasha Hanners](https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/departments/pediatrics/who-we-are/faculty/assets256/hanners-natasha.jpg)
Natasha Hanners, M.D., Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Disease
Interests: Flavivirus infections, including Zika virus neurotropism Neurovirology, Type I Interferon responses, Virus-host interactions
![Dr. Chieko Mineo](/research/programs/tardis/assets/mineo-chieko-200x200.jpg)
Chieko Mineo, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Department of Pediatrics and Cell Biology, Division of Pulmonary & Vascular Biology
Interests: Antiphospholipid Syndrome, Insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction, Vascular Biology and Atherosclerosis
![Dr. Jessica Moreland](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/utsw-patientcare-web-production/original_images/moreland-jessica-149626-200x200.jpg)
Jessica Moreland, M.D., Professor, and Chief
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care
Interests: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support, traumatic brain injury, granule, and vesicle exocytosis, NADPH oxidase and reactive oxygen species signaling, and neutrophil priming
Research Lab
![Dr. Philip Shaul](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/utsw-patientcare-web-production/original_images/shaul-philip-16558-200x200.jpg)
Philip Shaul, M.D., Professor and Vice Chair of Research
Director, Center for Pulmonary and Vascular Biology
Interim Chief, Division of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
Interests: Caveolae-lipid rafts, membrane-associated estrogen receptors, nitric oxide synthase, scavenger receptor class B-Type I (HDL receptor), and signaling by C-reactive protein
Shaul-Mineo-Umetani Lab
![Dr. Luis Sifuentes-Dominguez](/departments/pediatrics/who-we-are/faculty/assets256/sifuentes-domingues-luis.jpg)
Luis Sifuentes-Dominguez, M.D., Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology
Research Interests: Identifying the genetic causes of early onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease; Role of enteroendocrine cells in inflammatory bowel disease pathogenesis
![Dr. Jeff SoRelle](/research/programs/tardis/assets/sorelle-jeff-square.jpg)
Jeff SoRelle, M.D., Assistant Professor
Department of Pathology and Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology
Research Interests: Genetic mechanisms of allergy in mice and humans, In vivo glycosylation, Multiplex molecular diagnostics
![Dr. Dawn Wetzel](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/utsw-patientcare-web-production/original_images/wetzel-dawn-150859-200x200.jpg)
Dawn Wetzel, M.D., Ph.D. , Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Biochemistry
Division of Infectious Diesease
Interests: Pediatric infectious diseases, parasitic infections, cellular and molecular pathogenesis of leishmaniasis and other parasitic infections, development of novel antiparasitics
![Dr. Hao Zhu](/research/programs/tardis/assets/zhu-hao-134601-400x400.jpg)
Hao Zhu, M.D., Associate Professor,
Children’s Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern, Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
Research Interests: Epigenetics, Liver cancer, Mechanisms of organ regeneration, RNA biology
Zhu Laboratory
Surgery Mentors
![Dr. Mathew Augustine](/research/programs/tardis/assets/augustine-mathew-155201-400x400.jpg)
Mathew Augustine, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Department of Surgery
Research Interests: Genetic screening for gastrointestinal tumors and methods for identifying drugs that may enhance chemotherapy
![Dr. Rolf Brekken](/research/programs/tardis/assets/brekken-rolf-10808-400x400.jpg)
Rolf Brekken, Ph.D., Professor
Departments of Surgery, Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, and Pharmacology
Research Interests: Angiogenesis & ECM signaling, Cancer Therapy, Immune therapy, Metastasis, Tumor Microenvironment
Brekken Lab
![Dr. Emina Huang](/research/programs/tardis/assets/huang-emina-199121-400x400.jpg)
Emina Huang, M.D., Professor
Department of Surgery and the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center
Research Interests: Colorectal cancer oncogenesis; Relationship between inflammation and cancer; Early onset colorectal cancer
![Dr. Ben Levi](/research/programs/tardis/assets/levi-ben-198600-400x400.jpg)
Benjamin Levi, M.D., Associate Professor & Division Chief
Department of Surgery, Burn, Trauma, Acute and Critical Care Surgery (BTACCS)
Research Interests: fibrosis, matrix biology, stem cell fate
![Dr. Vanessa Nomellini](/research/programs/tardis/assets/nomellini-vanessa-square.jpg)
Vanessa Nomellini, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor
Research Interests: critical care, emergency general surgery, immune dysfunction in injury and infection, post-ICU syndrome, sepsis, and trauma
![Dr. Shirling Tsai](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/utsw-patientcare-web-production/images/tsai-shirling-133852-200x200.width-200.jpg)
Shirling Tsai, M.D., Assistant Professor
Department of Surgery
Interests: Genetics of abdominal aortic aneurysms and Lipoprotein Receptor signaling mechanisms in aortic aneurysm pathogenesis
![Dr. Sam Wang](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/utsw-patientcare-web-production/original_images/wang-sam-155688-200x200.jpg)
Sam Wang, M.D., Assistant Professor
Department of Surgery
Research Interests: how the normal regenerative process in the liver and pancreas mutates and leads to cancer
![Dr. Adam Yopp](/research/programs/tardis/assets/yopp-adam-110771-400x400.jpg)
Adam Yopp, M.D., Associate Professor
Department of Surgery
Research Interests: Developing novel biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with upper gastrointestinal malignancies especially hepatocellular carcinoma and pancreatic cancer.
![Dr. Herbert Zeh](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/utsw-patientcare-web-production/original_images/zeh-herbert-162393-200x200.jpg)
Herbert Zeh, M.D., Professor & Chair
Hall and Mary Lucile Shannon Distinguished Chair in Surgery
Department of Surgery
Interests: examines damage-associated molecular pattern molecules in pancreatic cancer.
Neurology Mentors
![Dr. Marc Diamond](/research/programs/tardis/assets/diamond-marc-154271-400x400.jpg)
Marc Diamond, M.D., Professor & Director
Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Research Interests: Cell and Molecular Biology; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neuroscience; Prion Biology
![Dr. Elan Louis](/research/programs/tardis/assets/louis-elan-197185-400x400.jpg)
Elan Louis, M.D., M.S., Professor & Chair
Department of Neurology
Research Interests: Disorders of involuntary movement; History of Science; Neurodegenerative diseases; Tremor disorders