The goal is to advance our global understanding of genetic, biological, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors that contribute to heart and blood vessel health in women, and to determine how these mechanisms differ from men and change when women develop cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in women. The group is focused on understanding how women’s cardiovascular health changes over the lifespan and the disproportionate impact of risk factors (ie obesity, preeclampsia, diabetes) on women’s health.
Researchers
Iris Z. Jaffe, MD, PhD
Relevant title(s)
- Multidisciplinary Research Group Co-Leader
- Executive Director, Molecular Cardiology Research Institute (MCRI)
- Elisa Kent Mendelsohn Professor of Molecular Cardiology TUSM
- Co-PI, Tufts Univeristy Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) Training Program
- Faculty Mentor, Tufts University MD/PhD Program SWAPS Program (Support for Women as Aspiring Physician-Scientists)
Research type
- Basic and Translational Research
Research interest and expertise relevant to women’s cardiovascular health
The Jaffe Laboratory is interested in uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying common vascular diseases, including high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. These cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death for women. I am specifically interested in how risk factors, including obesity, aging, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, exposure to cancer treatment, and a prior history of high blood pressure during pregnancy (preeclampsia), all lead to blood vessel diseases that cause heart attacks and strokes. Our population is aging and obesity is an epidemic; these two risk factors preferentially and disproportionately affect women. Using animal models and human cells, my lab has discovered profound sex differences in how blood vessels respond to obesity and aging. We continue exploring the underlying mechanisms for these sex differences with the ultimate goal of developing personalized therapies that will prevent or reverse vascular disease in women with diverse risk factors.
Karen Freund, MD, MPH
Relevant title(s)
- Multidisciplinary Research Group Co-Leader
- Sheldon M Wolff Professor and Chair of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center Tufts University School of Medicine
- American Cancer Society - Harry and Elsa Jiler Clinical Research Professor
- MPI, Tufts University Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) Training Program
Research type
- Translational, and Population Research
Research interest and expertise relevant to women’s cardiovascular health
My research team broadly addresses health disparities among minority and underserved women. Our research methods include outcomes and health policy research to understand the factors associated with poor health outcomes, and interventions to ameliorate these disparities. This work includes developing care management and patient navigation models to mitigate access to care barriers and promote health equity. My research has also addressed the impact of insurance reform and insurance stability over the past decade on improved cardiometabolic outcomes for black, Asian and Latina women.
I have also conducted research to understand the barriers to the career progression of women and faculty underrepresented in medicine and science and identified strategies to overcome these barriers.
Chloe Bird, PhD, FAAAS, FAAHB
Relevant title(s)
- Director, Tufts Center for Health Equity Research, Tufts Medical Center
- Professor, Tufts Medical Center Tufts University School of Medicine
- Sara Murray Jordan Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
- Tufts University Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) Training Program
Research type
- Population Research
Research interest and expertise relevant to women’s cardiovascular health
My research addresses sex and gender differences in health as well as health disparities among minority and underserved women.
Our work focuses on health and science policy that impact the evidence base on women’s health, health care delivery and outcomes and interventions to address gaps in the science and improve women’s care and outcomes. Recent work includes a collaboration with Lori Frank, PhD, on the return on investment on increasing funding for research on women’s health, which conducted microsimulations on Alzheimer’s and related dementias, coronary artery disease, rheumatoid arthritis and lung cancer. My work with Priya Batra, MD, MPH, engaged stakeholders in California using collaborative methods and education to develop an agenda for addressing racial disparities in maternal outcomes in Medicaid-funded births in California. My work with Evan Peet, PhD examines the impact of Quality of Care Collaboratives and the interventions they have implemented on maternal birth outcomes and on addressing racial disparities. My work with Stephanie Russell, DDS, PhD, examines barriers to utilization of dental care among urban low-income pregnant women in New York City.
Larissa Calancie, PhD
Relevant title(s)
- Assistant Professor, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University
- Scholar, Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) Training Program
- Co-Investigator, ChildObesity180
Research type
- Population and translational research
Research interest and expertise relevant to women’s cardiovascular health
My research focuses on promoting healthy weights across the life course to protect against cardiometabolic disease. I conduct community-engaged research that includes obesity prevention interventions that include investigations of cross-sector collaborations working to change policies, systems, and environments that encourage healthy behaviors such as physical activity and healthy eating. I work with diverse populations that often include low-income, rural, and/or African American community members. I also conduct translational research by integrating clinical data into computer models that can inform care for pregnant individuals to promote cardiometabolic health among women and their families at this critical point in the life course.
Jennifer J. DuPont, PhD
Relevant title(s)
- Principal Investigator, Molecular Cardiology Research Institute (MCRI) Director, Vascular Function Core, MCRI
- Assistant Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
Research type
- Basic, Translational, and Clinical
Research interest and expertise relevant to women’s cardiovascular health
My research interest is to understand and uncover sex differences in the mechanisms of the development of vascular aging. I am specifically interested in sex differences in developing arterial stiffness and vascular dysfunction with aging. My research also examines the role of sex hormones and their receptors in developing arterial stiffness and vasomotor dysfunction throughout the lifespan. At the DuPont Laboratory, I use a translational approach to my studies, employing various basic science techniques, preclinical disease models, and clinical studies examining vascular function in aging men and women. Ultimately, the goal of these studies is to identify novel sex-specific therapeutic strategies to aid in improving cardiovascular disease outcomes in the aging population, especially aging women. These studies are timely and important to improving these outcomes, as most preclinical work has been performed in males only and women have been previously under-represented in larger clinical trials, therefore limiting.
Sara C. Folta, PhD
Relevant title(s)
- Associate Professor, Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life, Tufts University
- Director, Integrating Underrepresented Populations in Research, Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute
- Adjunct Scientist, Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, and Sarcopenia (NEPS) Laboratory, Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University
- Doctoral and Postdoctoral Officer, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University
Research type
- Community-Based/Population Research
Research interest and expertise relevant to women’s cardiovascular health
The main area of my research is developing and evaluating community-based cardiovascular disease prevention interventions for midlife and older women. I was a lead researcher on developing and evaluating StrongWomen – Healthy Hearts, a 12-week program that includes aerobic activity and skill-building for achieving a heart-healthy dietary pattern. The American Journal of Public Health reported that this program demonstrated effectiveness in a randomized, controlled trial with rural women in eight counties in Arkansas and Kansas. This work led to a successful bid for Centers for Disease Control funds, allowing us to evaluate program dissemination in 22 states rigorously. We discovered that the program remained effective in various settings; however, we also learned that African American women did not realize the same level of benefit from the program as white women. Given that CVD represents one of the most pronounced and alarming health disparities in the United States, I applied for and received two grants to develop heart health programming that is culturally appropriate for African American women. With this funding, I have developed and pilot-tested two programs: Healthy Hearts for an Abundant Life, and Change Clubs for African American Women.
Stefania Lamon-Fava, MD, PhD
Relevant title(s)
- Scientist I, Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory, JM USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University
- Associate Professor, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University
- Chair, Division of Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University
Research type
- Translational Research
Research interest and expertise relevant to women’s cardiovascular health
My research focuses on identifying the effects and mechanisms of omega-3 fatty acid regulation of inflammation in cardiovascular disease in men and women. Specifically, in support of strong epidemiological evidence of differences in immune-related diseases between sexes, my lab has recently demonstrated a dimorphism in monocyte transcriptomics, with monocytes from postmenopausal women primed to higher expression of pro-inflammatory pathways, including interferon. I am currently studying how different types of omega-3 fatty acids impact the number and function of innate and adaptive immune cells to modulate CV progression in a sex-specific manner in pre-clinical models and human trials.
Amy M. LeClair, PhD
Relevant title(s)
- Assistant Professor of Medicine, Center for Health Equity Research, Tufts Medical Center
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Tufts University
Research type
- Translational Research
Research interest and expertise relevant to women’s cardiovascular health
My research focuses on the health and well-being of minoritized communities, with special emphasis on sexual and gender minorities (SGM). Currently, I am investigating implementation strategies and best practices for the standardized collection of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data in clinical settings. These data can be used to promote health equity by identifying disparities in SGM populations, but only we have valid, patient-reported data.
Jennifer Lee, PhD
Relevant title(s)
- Scientist II, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University
- Assistant Research Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
Research type
- Basic and Translational Research
Research interest and expertise relevant to women’s cardiovascular health
My research program aims to understand how diet interacts with the gut microbiome and specific cell types within the intestinal epithelium to regulate body weight, glucose metabolism, and normative aging processes in mice. Considering the fact that obesity prevalence is greater in women, I am particularly interested in determining sex-specific differences and underlying mechanism(s) of action that distinctly regulate host metabolism in aging female mice. Leveraging a combination of mouse genetics, cell-based models, imaging, and molecular biology, one of the major goals of the lab is to identify nutrition-based interventions that can support weight maintenance for women across the healthspan.
Alice H. Lichtenstein, DSc
Relevant title(s)
- Director and Senior Scientist, Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory, JM USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging
- Stanley N. Gershoff Professor of Nutrition Science and Policy, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University
- Professor, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts University
- Professor, Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
- Chair, KL-2 Scientific Training and Advisory Committee, Tufts CTSI
- Editor-in-Chief, Tufts Health and Nutrition Letter
Research type
- Translational Research
Research interest and expertise relevant to women’s cardiovascular health
My research group assesses the interplay between diet and cardiometabolic risk factors, emphasizing postmenopausal women and older men. Specific research interests focus on how lifestyle modification, particularly diet, can reduce risk. Past and current work addresses issues related to trans fatty acids, soy protein and isoflavones, sterol/stanol esters and novel vegetable oils differing in fatty acid profile and glycemic index. Additional work addresses the relationship between taste perception and diet quality and plasma metabolite profiles and shifts in macronutrient composition; identification of objective biomarkers of dietary intake, and effect of food fermentation on the gut microbiota; and application of systematic review methods as related to the development of evidence-based population-wide dietary guidance. Postmenopausal women are one of the fastest-growing demographic groups. Their risk of developing cardiovascular disorders increases dramatically with age. It is critical we not only refine methods to treat the disorder but also develop approaches to prevent disease progression.
Nirupa R. Matthan, PhD
Relevant title(s)
- Scientist 1, Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University
- Associate Professor, Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University
Research type
- Clinical and Translational Research
Research interest and expertise relevant to women’s cardiovascular health
I conduct translational research aimed at bridging the gap between basic, clinical and population science in the field of diet and cardiovascular health. I have developed novel methodologies to enable the objective measurement of indicators of diet quality (nutrient biomarkers) as well as disease biomarkers (metabolite signatures) and apply them to clinical and large-scale population-based studies to elucidate diet-disease relationships, particularly in post-menopausal women and older adults. Some notable findings include documenting that cholesterol synthesis biomarkers have prognostic value for predicting 10-year CVD risk, but there are significant sex differences that should be factored into their use. I have also shown that distinct dietary patterns are associated with subsequent CVD outcomes and that plasma nutrient biomarkers, reflecting both diet and metabolism, are more robust predictors of CHD risk. Current projects address the role of dietary fatty acids on the gut microbiome and metabolome, biomarkers related to cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease, and the effect of avocadoes on diet quality, cardiometabolic risk factors and metabolomic profiles. Past projects include diet-drug-gene interactions using the ossabaw pig model, and clinical trials on glycemic index, carbohydrate quality, trans fatty acids, soy protein and isoflavones, and in vivo fatty acid metabolism using stable isotopes.
Perrie O’Tierney-Ginn, PhD
Relevant title(s)
- Executive Director, Mother Infant Research Institute (MIRI)
- Research Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, TUSM
Research type
- Basic, Translational and Clinical Research
Research interest and expertise relevant to women’s cardiovascular health
The broader intention of my research is to understand the connection between maternal health and the placental regulation of nutrient metabolism and delivery and to improve the cardiometabolic health of offspring and, thus, population health in the long-term. During my postdoctoral training, I received a K99/R00 Pathway to Independence award to determine the degree to which maternal obesity alters sex-specific fatty acid transport and metabolism in the placentas of women at term, which resulted in several publications establishing the sex-specific nature of placental nutrient handling. My training in cardiovascular and fetal physiology, paired with my current focus on maternal-placental crosstalk, endow me with a unique perspective on the origins of obesity and heart disease. My current NIH R01 studies focus on 1) determining the effect of the maternal metabolic milieu on placental lipid metabolism and fetal growth, and 2) identification of placental-derived microRNA that affect maternal metabolism and fetal growth. The O'Tierney-Ginn Laboratory uses a broad and multi-layered translational approach utilizing molecular biology, in vitro and in vivo metabolic measurements, placental physiology and body composition analyses to address these research questions.
Ayan R. Patel, MD
Relevant title(s)
- Director, Cardiovascular Imaging & Hemodynamic Laboratory
- Director, Women’s Heart Center
- Cardiologist, Heart Failure & Cardiac Transplant Center
- Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
Research type
- Clinical and Translational Research
Research interest and expertise relevant to women’s cardiovascular health
My areas of interest are in the use of noninvasive cardiovascular imaging for the assessment of vascular and cardiac function. I have a particular interest in the use of noninvasive imaging to understand sex-based differences in cardiac disease and vascular function. Using noninvasive imaging, we have observed differences in vascular endothelial function in men and women, examined the association between vascular function and exercise capacity in women, and examined the association between overweight status and vascular function in women.
Whitney Perry, MD, MS
Relevant title(s)
- Assistant Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
- Scholar, Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) Training Program
Research type
- Clinical
Research interests
My work is focused on sex- and age-based differences in immune response to infection following organ transplantation (including cardiac transplant). There are well-known differences in immunity among men and women in the general population, which influence susceptibility to and severity of infection. This has not been extensively studied in the organ transplant population, a group with particular vulnerability to serious infection based on profound immunosuppression. My work has explored differences in key immune markers between male and female transplant recipients of varying ages and differences in clinical outcomes of transplant-related infections such as cytomegalovirus infection. My preliminary work in this area has identified women in an older, post-menopausal age category as carrying a particular risk for severe infection. Currently, post-transplant care related to immunosuppression, infection prophylaxis and infection prevention are uniform regardless of age and sex. Ultimately the goal is to shift away from the clinical paradigm of a universal approach to organ transplant care among all sexes and ages in order to better meet the needs of groups with specific risks.
Lakshmi Pulakat, PhD, M.Phil., M.Sc
Relevant title(s)
- Principal Investigator, Molecular Cardiology Research Institute (MCRI),
- Visiting Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
- Adjunct Professor, Medicine, UM-Columbia
- External Investigator, Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center (DCRC, UM-Columbia)
Research type
- Basic and Translational Research
Research interest and expertise relevant to women’s cardiovascular health
Research at the Pulakat Laboratory is focused on characterizing cardiovascular reparative signaling pathways that have the potential to repair cardiovascular damage arising either from chronic diseases (diabetes, obesity), or drug treatments (such as chemotherapy). Literature shows that cardiovascular risk is higher in obese and/or diabetic females than in age-matched males. We reported that the Angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) that promotes anti-inflammatory signaling is part of the cardiac signature that defines biological sex differences in cardiac signaling in both healthy and diabetic murine models. Our studies identified that the extent of cardiac structural damage and myocardial scarring is higher in female diabetic rats compared to their male counterparts and that diabetes causes suppression of cardiac AT2R expression only in female diabetic rats. We also showed that in young female diabetic rats with intact ovaries, any potential cardioprotection from estrogen was not evident as they developed diastolic and systolic dysfunction similar to their male counterparts along with more severe myocardial structural damage. Additionally, we identified microRNA biomarkers that are part of the cardiac signature for biological sex differences in diabetic rats. Based on our published and preliminary results, we hypothesize that a drug that can increase AT2R expression and signaling will induce a cardiac network that will be particularly beneficial to mitigating the increased severity of cardiovascular damage in obese and diabetic females. In collaboration with industry, we study the protective effects of new AT2R agonists that increase AT2R expression and signaling in cardiovascular cells on mitigating cardiac dysfunction and myocardial structural damage in murine models of both sexes. We use cell culturing and animal models for diabetes, combined with genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics approaches to define changes in cardio-protective molecular signature in response to diabetes and drug treatments. Our ultimate goal is to develop new treatment paradigms to mitigate the severity of myocardial structural damage (fibrosis, scarring) resulting from metabolic diseases in females.
Sebastian Z. Ramos, MD
Relevant title(s)
- Assistant Professor of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
- Associate Principal Investigator, Mother Infant Research Institute (MIRI)
Research type
- Clinical, Health Services Research
Research interest and expertise relevant to women’s health
I am a Maternal-Fetal Medicine physician and health services researcher with a focus on disparities in obstetric and neonatal outcomes. In the US, minority race, ethnicity and low socioeconomic status are independent risk factors for maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality with epidemiological studies demonstrating that adverse exposures during gestation have intergenerational effects. Structural racism has been postulated as a contributing factor and my research focuses on how to quantify this exposure and investigate its correlation with Black to White disparity in obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Using a novel Structural Racism Index that measures structural racism at multiple geographic levels, including at the county and state levels, we found a strong correlation between high structural racism scores and county-level differences in Black/White infant mortality and stillbirth disparity in the United States. Additionally, my current research projects include investigating individual-level exposures to racism and their effect on patient-physician trust, adherence to medical recommendations and prenatal care utilization. Future goals include investigating the mechanistic and biological underpinnings for how exposure to structural racism/chronic stress leads to adverse perinatal outcomes including preterm birth and preeclampsia.
Trainees
Casey G. Turner, PhD
Relevant title(s)
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Research type
- Basic, Translational and Clinical
Research interest and expertise relevant to women’s cardiovascular health
I am a postdoctoral scholar in DuPont Laboratory. My research expertise includes molecular and cellular biology and physiological techniques to measure arterial stiffness and resistance vessel dilation and constriction in mice and humans. Using these techniques, I am currently exploring the mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for vascular aging and cardiovascular disease in aging women and men. I also have expertise in exercise testing and prescription, which informs my special interest in a future career exploring physical activity-based lifestyle modifications to prevent or reverse pathologic vascular changes in aging women in particular.
Nicole Wolter, B.S.
Relevant title(s)
- MD/PhD Student
Research interest and expertise relevant to women’s cardiovascular health
I am an MD/PhD student completing my graduate thesis in Jaffe Laboratory and my research expertise includes molecular and cellular biology in cells and mouse models. I am exploring the mechanisms by which two steroid hormone receptors, the mineralocorticoid receptor and estrogen receptor alpha, interact to impact sex differences in atherosclerosis.