Meet the Team

Current Lab Members

Sofia Alcasey, M.S.

Project Manager: Clinical Research

Sofia Alcasey holds a bachelor's degree in public health from the University of Texas at Arlington and a master's degree in clinical research management from the University of North Texas Health Science Center. She oversees Phase I–IV clinical trials, ensuring regulatory compliance and operational efficiency. Her prior experience includes directing a multi-site NIDA-funded trial at the Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care, and serving as project director for a multisite NIDA-funded clinical trial of ketamine in methamphetamine use disorder. She is passionate about advancing cardiology research through strategic leadership and trial management. 

Rahul Banerjee, B.S.

Clinical Research Assistant I

Rahul Banerjee earned his bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in English from Georgetown University. While on the pre-med track, his passion for medicine and public health was solidified through various experiences, including research at the VA and MedStar Georgetown Hospital. While in college, he became involved with Aid Via Action, an organization dedicated to reducing disparities in surgical care between low- and high-income countries. This culminated in a week-long mission trip to El Petén, Guatemala, an experience that deepened his commitment to medicine and public service, and fueled his interest in healthcare.

Bhavik Bansal, M.B.B.S.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Originally from Delhi, BhaviBansal earned his medical degree from the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, where he contributed to research focused on chronic disease and patient-reported outcomes. I also volunteered his time teaching basic life-support skills to schoolchildren and mentoring incoming medical students interested in pursuing science. Dr. Bansal is dedicated to advancing equitable care for patients with chronic conditions and enhancing research methodologies to outcomes in heart failure and related diseases.

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Traci Tiemann Betts, D.P.T., PT

Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

Traci Betts is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Physical Therapy. She completed her degree at UT Southwestern Medical Center, followed by residency training in cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy at Duke University. Her clinical focus targets rehabilitation for patients with chronic illness and high frailty across healthcare settings. Dr. Betts also serves as the Program Director for the UTSW Cardiovascular & Pulmonary PT Residency and contributes to the Cardiometabolic Research Unit, where she engages in collaborative clinical research and training.

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Myriam Bustillo-Rubio, M.D.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Myri Bustillo-Rubio earned her medical degree from Tec de Monterrey in Mexico, where she completed clinical rotations in adult and pediatric cardiology. Her research interests include heart failure in adult patients with congenital heart diseases and strategies for prevention and care improvement. In the Cardiometabolic Research Unit, she focuses on advancing evidence-based medicine and contributing to clinical research that enhances patient outcomes and care quality.

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Alvin Chandra, M.D.

Ass Professor

Alvin Chandra completed his medical degree, residency, and cardiology fellowship at UT Southwestern, followed by advanced training in cardio-oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and in cardiovascular imaging at the Brigham and Women's Hospital. His research focuses on heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) management and echocardiography, with more than 40 peer-reviewed publications. He specializes in cardiac imaging, cardio-oncology, and HFpEF, and currently serves in the echo laboratory supporting major studies, including the Dallas Heart Study and the UT Southwestern HFpEF registry. Additionally, he is a site Principal Investigator for multiple clinical trials.

Daniela Charry, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Daniela Charry holds a degree in physical therapy from the National University of Colombia with clinical experience in critical care. She earned a master’s degree in exercise science and chronic disease from the University of North Florida and completed a doctoral degree in exercise physiology at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research focuses on vascular dysfunction and its association with cardiovascular disease and mortality in older adults. She is particularly interested in the pathophysiological role of arterial stiffness in the development and progression of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

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Juan David Coellar Pauta, M.D.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Originally from Ecuador, Juan David Coellar Pauta earned his medical degree from Tec de Monterrey in Mexico, with a concentrations in bioscience and in innovation and research. His research interests include improving cardiovascular care for underserved populations, particularly within the Hispanic community. His experience at the MD Anderson Cancer Center helped him appreciate the transition from basic science to clinical research in support of innovative, patient-centered care.

Amritesh Grewal, M.B.B.S.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Originally from India, Amritesh Grewal completed his medical training at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, where he contributed to research on chronic disease and cancer survivorship. His current work focuses on improving care for patients with heart failure through clinical research. Dr. Grewal is committed to advancing evidence-based practices and enhancing outcomes for individuals with chronic cardiovascular conditions.

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Rashedat ‘Kemi’ Ibrahim M.S., M.Ed., B.Pharm.

Biostatistical Consultant II

Kemi Ibrahim holds a bachelor's degree in pharmacy from the University of Lagos in Nigeria, and a master's degree in quantitative statistical methods and pharmaceutical sciences from The University of Texas at Austin, with a concentration in health economics and outcomes research. She brings more than four years of research experience in real-world evidence research using healthcare claims data. Prior to joining the CMRU, she led studies at Johnson & Johnson and Anlitiks, supporting healthcare decision-making through data-driven insights.

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Anand Jain, B.S.

Clinical Research Assistant I

Anand Jain holds a bachelor's degree in public health, with academic focus areas in epidemiology, biostatistics, and public health informatics. He previously interned with the CMRU and now contributes to research addressing health inequities and preventative care. His role includes supporting clinical trial coordination and data integrity across cardiovascular studies.

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Neil Keshvani, M.D.

Adjunct Assistant Professor

Neil Keshvani completed his residency and cardiology fellowship training at UT Southwestern and is currently pursuing a master's degree in biomedical informatics with a focus on health data science at UT Houston School of Biomedical Informatics. His research focuses on implementation science, pragmatic clinical trials, and quality improvement in cardiovascular care, particularly heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). He is actively involved in advancing evidence-based practices in heart failure care.

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Milam Lacey, RDCS

Lead Cardiac Sonographer

Milam Lacey performs echocardiograms for internal and industry-sponsored clinical trials, including studies related to pulmonary hypertension. Prior to joining the CMRU, he worked full-time at Parkland Memorial Hospital and part-time at Texas Health Plano. He brings extensive experience in echocardiography and supports research efforts through high-quality imaging and diagnostic expertise.

Reagan Lewis, B.A.

Research Technician II

Reagan Lewis earned her bachelor's degree in biology from the University of North Texas, where she developed a strong foundation in laboratory techniques and scientific analysis. She supports hands-on research activities and contributes to experimental workflows aimed at bridging basic science and clinical practice. Her work in the CMRU is part of a broader goal of pursuing a career in medicine.

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Elviche Lenou, B.S., M.S.

Senior Research Associate

Elviche Tsakem received her master's degree in medical biotechnology from the Technical University of Berlin and has contributed to research at Vanderbilt University, Baylor College of Medicine, and UT Southwestern. Her expertise spas immunology, neurodegenerative disease modeling, and laboratory operations. In the CMRU, she supports translational research in preclinical cardiovascular disease and manages biobank development to advance future investigations.

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Syed ‘Kazim’ Rizvi, M.D.

Cardiology Research Fellow

Kazim Rizvi earned his medical degree at UT Southwestern and became a clinical research fellow through the UT-StARR Program. His research focuses on heart failure, health inequities, and social determinants of health within UT Southwestern and Parkland Health. As a member of the CMRU, he contributes to clinical trials targeting interventions for underserved populations and explores the use of big data to address disparities in cardiovascular outcomes. 

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Poornima Shreenath, B.S., M.S.

Research Technician II

Poornima Shreenath holds a bachelor's degree in biotechnology from Nagpur University and a master's degree in biotechnology from the University of Western Sydney. She brings expertise in quality assurance, process monitoring controls, and quality control. She is certified in Lean Six Sigma and ISO internal auditing. Her role supports research activities through precise data collection, equipment handling, and adherence to quality standards.

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Katherine Tran, B.A.

Clinical Research Coordinator I

Katherine Tran holds a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Texas at Arlington and has coordinated Phase I-IV clinical trials in infectious diseases and orthopedics. She specializes in trial management, regulatory compliance, and protocol implementation. Her collaborative approach and commitment to patient-centered research support the advancement of cardiology studies and contribute to improved clinical outcomes.

Muhammad Shariq Usman, M.D.

Cardiology Fellow

Muhammad Shariq Usman completed medical school at Dow University of Health Sciences in Pakistan and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Mississippi Medical Center before entering the Internal Medicine Physician-Scientist Training Program at UT Southwestern. His clinical and research focus is in cardiometabolic disease and large-scale clinical trials aimed at improving care for patients with heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

Our team is a fun and collaborative Group

We are always looking to recruit motivated researchers.

Team Member Presentations

Cardiometabolic Research Team members actively attend and presents at regional and national conferences.

View our Team's Presentations

Presentations by Ambarish Pandey, M.D., M.S.C.S.

Dr. Pandey actively provides updates and progress of the research projects in the Cardiometabolic Research Unit.

View presentations by Dr. Pandey

representative presentation of Dr. Pandey lecture presentation