Research Team

Program leadership

• 
  Atta Behfar, M.D., Ph.D.

  • Director, Mayo Clinic Van Cleve Cardiac Regenerative Medicine Program
  • Dr. Behfar, a transplant cardiologist and stem cell biologist, focuses on cardiovascular regeneration.
  • Publications
• 
  Drew N. Rosenbaum, M.D.

  • Consultant, Regenerative Clinical Translation
  • Dr. Rosenbaum focuses on the hemodynamics of mechanical circulatory support. He supports the clinical arm of the Mayo Clinic Van Cleve Cardiac Regenerative Medicine Program and also is involved in the program's preclinical projects.
  • Publications
• 
  Andre Terzic, M.D., Ph.D.

  • Director, Cardiovasology Training Program, Mayo Clinic
  • Dr. Terzic, a Distinguished Mayo Clinic Investigator, pioneered regenerative medicine at Mayo Clinic and served as the inaugural director of the Center for Regenerative Medicine. He chairs the President's Discovery-Translation Advisory Board. His team science approach led to the development of next-generation cardioprotective, regenerative and interceptive solutions for heart disease.
  • Publications

Administrative staff

• 
  Allison J. McCabe

  • Ms. McCabe has a background in healthcare administration and quality initiatives. She provides administrative support to the team, including project management and program coordination. She works with the preclinical team to provide quality control oversight and guidance during investigational new drug studies.
• 
  Paul G. Stalboerger, M.S., PMP

  • Mr. Stalboerger manages the program to ensure its operations align with the strategic vision and mission.

Research team

• 
  Humberto De Vitto, Ph.D.

  • Dr. De Vitto is a molecular biologist and a specialist in intracellular pathways that are highly active in cancer cells. These cells can be used to facilitate regeneration in the body. He obtained his doctoral degree from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
  • Publications
• 
  Zeji Du, Ph.D.

  • Dr. Du, a molecular biology expert, develops nonviral gene delivery approaches and technologies for regenerative therapies.
  • Publications
• 
  Bea M. Hartke

  • Ms. Hartke supports the program's scientists and research team by managing clinical samples, lab inventories and routine maintenance.
• 
  Matthew L. Hillestad, Ph.D.

  • Dr. Hillestad, a gene therapy expert, develops targeted technologies to deliver new regenerative therapies to the heart.
  • Publications
• 
  Sara S. Inglis, M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O.

  • Dr. Inglis, a clinical research fellow, focuses on advanced heart failure and mechanical circulatory support. She is involved in the program's clinical and preclinical studies.
• 
  Ryan C. Mahlberg, M.S.

  • Mr. Mahlberg has an extensive background in histology and immunological staining. He supports preclinical studies and innovation within the program.
• 
  Mary E. Nagel

  • Ms. Nagel supports surgical care and investigative models to enhance the program's mission and vision.
• 
  Tiffany L. Sarrafian Griffiths, D.V.M., Ph.D.

  • Dr. Sarrafian Griffiths generates small- and large-animal models of cardiovascular disease. She also coordinates all reports related to effectiveness and preclinical toxicology. These reports support investigational new drug applications to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
• 
  Paige E. Schiebel

  • Ms. Schiebel graduated from Trine University with a Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering with an emphasis in research. She is now a postbaccalaureate student in the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Graduate Research Education Program. She is studying the therapeutic potential of engineered exosomes.
• 
  Katrina M. Tollefsrud, R.D.C.S.

  • Ms. Tollefsrud, a registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer, supports the program by performing noninvasive echocardiograms and analysis for preclinical studies.
• 
  Tyra A. Witt

  • Ms. Witt develops investigative models and avenues in surgical supportive care to support the program's mission.
  • Publications

Ph.D. and M.D.-Ph.D. students

• 
  Monique S. Bagwell

  • Ms. Bagwell, a doctoral student, studies exosomes as a diagnostic and therapeutic platform for inflammation-related diseases.
• 
  Skylar A. Rizzo

  • Ms. Rizzo, an M.D.-Ph.D. student, is using exosomes to create a gene-delivery tool.

Postdocs and clinical fellows

• 
  Mohsin Abbas, M.B.B.S.

  • Dr. Abbas, a clinical research fellow, works in cardiac interventional and imaging laboratories. He uses advanced innovation tools including transcriptomics and artificial intelligence.
  • Publications
• 
  Parisa P. Kargaran, Ph.D.

  • Dr. Kargaran works to optimize cardiopoiesis for therapeutic and diagnostic applications in heart disease.
  • Publications