Program Testimonials

The program provided a rich, well balanced research and clinical experience that has been academically challenging and extremely rewarding. The outstanding mentorship from Ronald Victor, MD, a world leader in the field, along with other hypertension faculty in a full service American Society of Hypertension-certified Hypertension Center, in a large tertiary facility, ensured exposure to the full range of clinical hypertension, in both the outpatient and inpatient setting. The multiple ongoing studies in the Hypertension and Vascular Biology Clinical Research Center created an unparalleled learning environment that allowed me to rapidly develop the skills necessary to begin my career as a cardiovascular physician scientist.

- O’Neil Mason, MD, 2016 Graduate

My participation in research began during my undergraduate career at Berkeley and ultimately led me to my mentor Ronald Victor, MD. He provided a unique opportunity for me after residency to conduct hands-on translational research at a world-class institution while continuing to see patients.

As a Hypertension and Vascular Biology fellow, I have an active role in the design and conduct of several clinical trials. My projects span from studying nitric oxide-mediated muscle perfusion to cardio-sphere stem cells infused in the coronary arteries of patients with dystrophic cardiomyopathy. I was intrigued by the applications of vascular biology research, particularly in the field of muscular dystrophy. Using leading-edge technology in vascular imaging, I designed a pilot study to demonstrate capillary recruitment to the skeletal muscle for the first time and presented my findings at the American Heart Association.

In addition to research, I have truly enjoyed and learned from my clinical duties in diagnosing and treating complex cases of hypertension. I take care of patients in our weekly hypertension clinic and provide inpatient consultation for high-risk patients with difficult to control blood pressure, often due to secondary causes such as primary aldosteronism. I passed the board exam for the American Society of Hypertension. This fellowship has taught me valuable clinical knowledge and technical skills that I will carry over to my professional career as a physician and a scientist. Moreover, it has primed me to succeed as both, in my pursuit of an academic career in cardiology.

- Matthew Hakimi, MD, 2016–17 Fellow

As someone with no prior research experience, I have had an immersive experience since having the opportunity to work under Dr Victor. As a Hypertension and Vascular Fellow, I have had the opportunity to be involved with research in every stage from conceptualization of an idea to performing experiments to drafting a manuscript. My primary project has been to investigate the effects that electronic cigarettes have on the perfusion of the microcirculation of the heart by using non-invasive myocardial contrast echocardiography. It is exciting to think that the results we collect may potentially impact public health policy and I have had the opportunity to present our findings at a national scientific meeting. This fellowship has also been balanced with clinical exposure into the management and treatment of complex Hypertension Cases in a Hypertension Center Of Excellence. This fellowship has well prepared me to take the American Society of Hypertension's Certification Exam. I eagerly look forward to the day that I can apply the skills I learned here in my career of academic cardiology.

- Katherine Davoren MD, PharmD, 2017–19 Fellow