Research News
Eric Small's Research Suggests a Cancer Protein Could Be at the Heart of Cardiac Scarring and Disease
The associate professor of Medicine and his colleagues found that the tumor suppressor protein p53 might play an important role in both. Supported in part by the CTSI, the research shows that too much p53 may speed progression of a heart rhythm disease, while too little p53 could lead to scarring after cardiac injury.
DOM Sets the Pace at Heart Rhythm Society Meeting
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Our Division of Cardiology has been on the cutting edge of electrophysiology for several decades, from leading the seminal trials on implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) nearly 25 years ago to launching the first Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) registry in 1979. Last weekend, Cardiology faculty and trainees presented new research on ICDs, LQTS, and much more at the annual Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) meeting.
Ilan Goldenberg, MD and Valentina Kutyifa, MD, PhD
Given the immense advances in medical therapies for heart failure over the past two decades, Ilan Goldenberg, MD, and Valentina Kutyifa MD, PhD, are reassessing the risk stratification criteria for ICDs and whether they still provide a survival benefit compared to medical therapies. They presented recent research in two core sessions. Fellow Keshav Patel, MD, shared research from the LQTS registry highlighting the sustained risk of life-threatening events for LQTS patients over age 50. Faculty members and trainees also presented research on LVADS, beta-blockers, GLP-1s, and more:
- Mehmet Aktas, MD, MBA, presented “Effect of Carvedilol versus Metoprolol on the Risk of Inappropriate Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Therapies: Analysis from the APPRAISE-ATP Trial” and the poster “The Competing Risk of Arrhythmic Events and Non-Arhythmic Mortality by Age: Analysis from the APPRAISE-ATP Trial”
-
Malcolm Dix, MD, cardiovascular disease fellow, presented the poster “Impact of Statins on the Risk of Life-Threatening Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias in Patients with Non-ischemic Cardiomyopathy”
Keshav Patel, MD, and Malcolm Dix, MD
- Dillon Dzikowicz, PhD, RN, presented two posters: “Serum Potassium and Atrial Arrhythmia Risk in ICD Patients” and “Serum Potassium Levels and ICD Therapy Incidence in a Real-World Cohort”
- Shaul Gelikas, MD, MBA, presented two posters: “The Association Between Ranolazine Treatment and Ventricular Arrhythmia Burden in Patients Without Atrial Fibrillation” and “Ranolazine Treatment is Associated with a Reduced Burden of Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias Among Patients with Elevated Brain Natriuretic Peptide Levels”
- Ilan Goldenberg, MD, presented “Limitation of Evidence: Outdated Trial Data, Inadequate Risk Stratification, and Lack of Personalization.”
- David Huang, MD, presented the poster “Impact of Heart Failure Etiology on the Burden of Sustained Ventricular Tachyarrhythmic Events Following LVAD Implant: Preliminary data from the PIVATAL Trial”
- Jefferson Hunter, MD, Internal Medicine resident, presented the poster “Association of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Use with Atrial and Ventricular Arrhythmias in Obese Populations with Heart Failure”
-
Valentina Kutyifa, MD, presented “LVEF is Not Enough: Limitations of Current ICD Criteria” and “The Present and Future of Risk Stratification for and Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death: An HRS Think Tank Follow-Up (non-ACE)”
From Left: Jefferson Hunter, MD, Ilan Goldenberg, MD, Valentina Kutyifa, MD,
PhD, Nicole Guerrero, Kristina Cutter, Alexei Nakonechnyi, PhD, Dillon Dzikowicz,
PhD, RN, Sofia Nguyen, and Anika Beierle, MD. - Alexei Nakonechnyi, PhD, presented “LLM classification of clinical notes to facilitate lifestyle intervention in patients with atrial fibrillation” as part of the HRX satellite conference.
- Amole Ojo, MD, co-chaired the core session “Atrial Fibrillation and Special Populations: Treatment Dilemmas and Future Directions” and the HRS Board Review Course.
- Keshav Patel, MD, cardiovascular disease fellow, presented “Long QT Syndrome in Older Adults: Risk Factors and Outcomes After Age 50.”
Geriatrics Faculty Named PALTmed Fellows
4/14/2026
From left: Dallas Nelson, MD, Suzanne Gillespie, MD, Erin Brooks, PA-C, and Thomas Caprio, MD.
(Not pictured: Sarah Howd, MD.)
Five Geriatrics & Aging faculty members are among the inaugural class of fellows of the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed)—more than any other institution.
Congratulations to: Erin Brooks, PA-C, Suzanne Gillespie, MD, Sarah Howd, MD, Dallas Nelson, MD, and Thomas Caprio, MD, acting chief of the Geriatrics & Aging Division. They and 55 other fellows from across the country were recognized for their leadership and commitment to advancing the field and organization.
“This recognition reflects the depth of leadership and innovation coming out of the University of Rochester in post-acute and long-term care. Having the largest representation in this inaugural class of PALTmed fellows speaks not only to the caliber of our clinician leaders, but to our sustained commitment to advancing care for older adults across care settings nationally,” Caprio said.
PALTmed represents and supports the post-acute and long-term health care workforce and leads the way in empowering these compassionate and skilled clinicians to deliver person-centered care.
Building Partnerships at 2026 Research in Health Equity Symposium
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
From left: Ahona Shirin, MBA, Olveen Carrasquillo, MD, MPH, Laura Stamm,
PhD, and Chunkit Fung, MD. Photo credit: Keith Burris.
Building sustainable solutions that address community needs and improve health equity takes a village. At our 4th Annual Research in Health Equity Symposium over 200 health care providers, researchers, trainees, and community leaders gathered to exchange expertise and learn how to build partnerships across disciplines and with the community to improve health for all.
Keynote speaker Olveen Carrasquillo, MD, MPH, associate dean for Clinical and Translational Research at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, shared his experience co-developing community health worker programs to address conditions such type 2 diabetes. Community partners shaped research questions, clinical interventions, and cultural alignment of health education.
Other panel presentations stressed the importance of working across institutions and sectors, from music therapists working with dentists to quell patients’ dental anxiety, to psychiatry residents riding along with law enforcement officers to better understand how they respond to mental health emergencies. A workshop featured research teams composed of University and community researchers, sharing strategies to build sustainable partnerships.
“This meeting exemplifies our commitment to advancing health equity, fostering collaboration, and engaging with our community to address pressing health care challenges,” said DOM Chair Ruth O’Regan, MD, who opened the meeting with a welcome message.
At the end of the day, judges selected the top projects and presentations from the symposium:
From left: Karina Hiroshige, MD, London Smith, and Drea Hacker. Photo credit:
Keith Burris.
- Best Community Partnership Project:
- Presenter: Karina Hiroshige, MD, trauma surgery research fellow at the University of Pennsylvania
- Project: “Increasing Patient Volume at a Student-Run Free Clinic: 21-Month Follow-Up of a Two-Phase Community Outreach Initiative”
- Best Oral Presentation:
- Presenter: Drea Hacker, fourth year undergraduate student at Hamilton College
- Project: “Adapting Individualized Care Plans for Inpatient Sickle Cell Care(I-PIC)”
- Best Poster Presentation:
- Presenter: London Smith, medical student at the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry
- Project: “Rochester Outreach Catering Dermatology Education: Outreach and Education Dermatology Initiative Serving Underserved Communities in Rochester, NY”
Congratulations to this year’s awardees and a special thank you to our conference coordinating team: Chunkit Fung, MD, DOM’s associate chair for Engagement, Enrichment, and Well-Being, Laura Stamm, PhD, assistant professor of General Medicine and Health Humanities & Bioethics, and Ahona Shirin, MBA, project manager for DOM Engagement, Enrichment, and Well-Being.