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Education
- BS Biochemistry: Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA (1995)
- PhD Biological Sciences: Mount Sinai, School of Medicine, NY, NY (2002)
- MD: Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY, NY (2004)
- Residency, Medicine: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (2006)
- Fellowship, Cardiology: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (2011)
Board Certifications
- Cardiovascular Diseases
Recognition
- American Society of Clinical Investigation Young Physician-Scientist Award, Washington University in St. Louis, 2014
- Northwestern Cardiovascular Young Investigators’ Forum Finalist, Washington University in St. Louis, 2012
- Keystone Symposium Graduate Student/Postdoc Research Competition Winner, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 2011
- Burroughs Wellcome Foundation Career Award for Medical Scientists, 2011
- Department of Medicine Bradley Award for Bench Research, 2011
- Department of Medicine Bradley Award for Bench Research, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 2010
- Department of Medicine Measey Senior Research Fellow, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 2009
- Barry Coller Award for Excellence in Clinical Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 2004
- AMWA’s Glasgow-Rubin Achievement Award, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 2004
- The William Osler Society of Fellows in Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 2004
- Graduate School of Biological Sciences Doctoral Dissertation Award, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 2003
- Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 2003
- Graduate School of Biological Sciences Award for Academic Excellence, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 2001
Research Interests
The cardiac conduction system generates and propagates electrical impulses within the heart, and cells of the conduction system network arise from lineage specification of cardiomyocyte progenitors. Conduction disorders are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome affects 1 in 500 people and is characterized by accessory atrioventricular pathways in the heart which bypass the normal conduction system and can result in ventricular preexcitation, palpitations, and sudden cardiac death. Although WPW has been well described clinically, the developmental mechanisms behind the formation of this functional ectopic myocardial tissue are poorly understood. We previously showed in a mouse model that activation of Notch signaling in the myocardium results in accessory pathway formation and ventricular preexcitation similar to that seen in human WPW. In addition, activation of Notch signaling is able to reprogram neonatal cardiomyocytes into conduction-like cells. In the Rentschler lab, we will seek to better understand the mechanisms by which Notch regulates cardiac conduction in normal and disease states, and will use screening approaches to identify interesting candidates for novel pathways regulating conduction system formation and function. Deciphering the signals that instruct cells to adopt a conduction phenotype may ultimately provide insight into regenerative approaches such as the development of a biologic pacemaker.