MEMBERS
FACULTY
Wei Sun, MD
Assistant Professor
Medicine-Cardiology
sunw2@upmc.edu
I am a Cardiologist and an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiology at UPMC. While I practice general cardiology as an attending physician, I am a principal investigator of functional genomics studies on cardiopulmonary diseases including pulmonary hypertension. I receive support from the NIH K08 award and the AHA Career Development award for my research.
When I am not working, I enjoy spending my spare time with my family.
Steven Woodcock, PhD
Scientific Operations Officer, VMI
Research Assistant Professor
Medicine-Cardiology
srw22@pitt.edu
Rong Xie, PhD
Research Assistant Professor
rongxie11@pitt.edu
412-383-1270
I am interested in gene regulatory elements in human diseases. Besides research, I enjoy reading books, watching sports and travelling.
POSTDOCS / FELLOWS
Neil Kelly, MD, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar
I am a cardiologist and postdoctoral scholar in the Heart, Lung, and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute at the University of Pittsburgh. My previous research has focused on the most common form of pulmonary hypertension – that caused by left heart disease – including its clinical characterization, preclinical modeling, and the leveraging of mouse genomics to gain novel insights into disease mechanisms. Prior to joining the VMI, I completed undergraduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MD/PhD training at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and clinical training in internal medicine and cardiovascular medicine at UPMC. Outside of work, I enjoy doing fun things around Pittsburgh with my family.
Wadih El Khoury, MD
I graduated first as a Mechanical Engineer and then as a Medical Doctor (MD) from the American University of Beirut (AUB), Lebanon.
Currently I am working on large scale data analysis and wet bench experiments involving atherosclerosis, inflammation, and environmental pollution in the modulation of pulmonary hypertension.
My hobbies include hiking, playing tennis and enjoying some good food. Feel free to contact me!
Chen-Shan (Julia) Woodcock, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar (T32)
jcsw17@pitt.edu | 412-383-1270
I am currently a postdoctoral researcher who have joined the Chan lab since 2018. I graduated with an MS from the National Taiwan University in Taiwan, and received my PhD at the University of Pittsburgh in the Molecular Pharmacology Graduate Program. My current research interest is understanding how RNA modifications affect gene regulation linked to pulmonary endothelial functions and physiology, specifically in the context of pulmonary hypertension pathogenesis. My favorite comic book is “Dog Man”. The favorite thing I love to do with my family is to see the baseball game.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Felix E.Y. Aggor, PhD
Medical Student
Aggor.Felix@medstudent.pitt.edu
Felix E.Y. Aggor, PhD, originally from Ghana, graduated from the Program in Microbiology and Immunology (PMI) at the University of Pittsburgh in 2020. Felix made his way back to PittMed after a short post-doc to be trained as a physician scientist. Felix is passionate about health equities and quality health care through excellent patient care and translational research. Outside of the lab, school, hospital and church, Felix enjoys spending time with his family and exploring the beautiful parks around Pittsburgh.
Alice Jiang
Alice graduated from the University of Washington with a B.S. degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. Alice is now a Ph.D. student in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Graduate Program and joined Chan Lab in 2023. In her spare time, she enjoys playing badminton, baking, cooking, and playing the piano.
Anna Kirillova
Medical Student, MSTP program
kirillova.anna@medstudent.pitt.edu
Anna is in the dual MD-PhD program at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, currently pursuing her PhD in Integrative Systems Biology. Her research interests include Group 2 pulmonary hypertension and generating patient-specific models of cardiomyopathies using inducible pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes.
Outside of lab, Anna enjoys baking pies, ice skating, growing orchids, and foraging.
Rashmi Rao
After graduating from Cornell University in 2020, Rashmi joined the Physician-Scientist Training Program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. As a research student in the Chan Lab, she is studying the role of endothelial sterol metabolism in pulmonary hypertension. In her free time, Rashmi enjoys running, hiking, and painting.
Yunshan Yue
Medical Student
Yunshan has been enrolled in School of Medicine, Tsinghua University as a candidate for the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree in Clinical Medicine. She is now a 4th year student and would spend two years for research training in Chan lab. She is intersted in post GWAS functional genomics analysis for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). In her free time, she enjoys drawing, reading, hanging out with friends and traveling.
RESEARCH STAFF
Yassmin Al Araj, MD, MPH
Clinical Research Coordinator
I am a dedicated individual with a passion for healthcare and research. I began my journey in Dr. Chan’s lab at VMI in 2017 as a CRC. Previously, I worked as a Project Manager in the Family Medicine Department, focusing on behavioral health research for low socioeconomic status population. I obtained my medical degree from the University of Damascus School of Medicine and completed a two-year residency in OB/GYN. After moving to the US, I pursued a master’s degree in public health from the University of Pittsburgh and volunteered at a free clinic for two years, providing health care for the uninsured population. I hold an ECFMG certification. In my free time I enjoy baking and exploring new destinations.
Hee-Jung (Janice) Kim, BS
Janice graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry from Carnegie Mellon University. She is excited to focus on both basic science and translational research in Chan’s lab and is planning to attend medical school in the future. In her free time, she enjoys film photography, art, and trying out good pastries.
Miranda Tai, MS
Laboratory Technician
taiy@upmc.edu | 412-383-1270
Miranda graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a master degree in Biomedical Engineering. She is interested in the roles and functions of microRNA and long-noncoding-RNA in pulmonary hypertension. In her spare time, Miranda enjoys art, music, playing badminton, kayaking, and exploring new places as well as trying out new (yummy) food!
Ying Tang
Research Specialist IV, Senior Lab Manager
yit3@pitt.edu | 412-648-2094
Ying has extensive experience in the development of viral vectors and the application of stem cells for gene and cell therapy, especially for musculoskeletal disease and injury. She has played a major role in the following projects: 1) recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-based gene therapy for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD); 2) bone regeneration including the use of gene-enhance human mesenchymal stem cell with biomaterial scaffolds; 3) the development of techniques in small animal experiments and imaging.
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Her research is focused on the field of gene transfer and stem cell modification utilizing AAV, lentivirus and retrovirus. She is currently investigating: 1) the response of pulmonary and peripheral blood vessels to hypoxic and ischemic injury; 2) strategies for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension (PH).
In these projects, small animals, such as transgenic and double-knock out mice, are bred, genotyped and treated for pulmonary and peripheral blood vessel related diseases. Imaging techniques frequently used in these animal experiments include micro-CT for bone imaging. Imaging techniques employed in cell-based experiments include dot blot, western blot and other immunostaining procedures.
Annie Watson, MPH
Clinical Research Coordinator
watsonam3@upmc.edu | 412-647-4964
Annie spent many years doing bench work in genetic laboratories and later completed an MPH at the University of Pittsburgh. Afterwards, she became a clinical research coordinator. She is interested in expanding the pulmonary hypertension biorepository to facilitate future studies. She is elated to be part of the Chan lab, as it provides an opportunity for her to learn more about the clinical trial process and the development of novel therapies. In her free time, Annie likes kayaking, running, watching movies and attending Pittsburgh cultural events.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Jonah Bruemmer
Jonah is a sophomore from Pittsburgh. Jonah is currently pursuing a bioengineering degree at the University of Pittsburgh. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, and skiing. Additionally, Jonah also enjoys spending time in the various neighborhoods and parks of Pittsburgh.
Harsh Hiwase
Undergraduate Researcher
My name is Harsh, I’m an international student from Singapore pursuing a double major in Molecular Biology and History and Philosophy of Science. I’m interested in complex diseases in cardiology and I’m currently working on a post-GWAS functional genomics analysis of non-coding SNPs in ischemic stroke found in patients of African Descent. In my free time I enjoy cooking food that reminds me of home, working out and learning how to DJ!
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Erica Carson
Administrative Coordinator
carsonec@upmc.edu | ecc50@pitt.edu
412-383-6030