Lab Members

Dr. Shah is the Stone Endowed Professor of Medicine, Director of Research for the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute and Director of the HFpEF Program at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Shah’s research interests include understanding the physiology, mechanisms, epidemiology, and treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Dr. Shah started the first dedicated HFpEF clinical program at Northwestern University in 2007, and has been a leading enroller in HFpEF clinical trials since that time. Dr. Shah’s research interests also include the study of acquired and genetic risk factors for abnormal cardiac mechanics, and novel machine learning techniques for improved classification and therapeutic targeting for heart failure syndromes. Dr. Shah is currently the PI of 3 active NIH R01 grants and an AHA Strategically Focused Research Network project grant, and he is also the PI or on the executive/steering committee member for several ongoing international HF clinical trials. Dr. Shah has published over 250 peer-reviewed research publications, and he is an Associate Editor for JAMA Cardiology. 

Laura is the Senior Project Manager on the HeartShare Study. Prior to joining Dr. Shah’s lab in February 2022, Laura worked as a project manager in Northwestern’s Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research (CFAAR). She has extensive experience in managing technology and data projects and has a background in data management and preservation. Laura attended Amherst College for her undergraduate studies and earned a Master’s in Information Sciences from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Hamorabi is a Chicago native and attended the University of Illinois at Chicago for his undergraduate studies in Biology. After his studies, he began work in the Investigational Pharmacy at Northwestern Memorial Hospital managing investigational product for various oncology, cardiology, transplant, and infection disease studies across Northwestern University. Soon after, he shifted into a clinical research coordinator role at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center where he managed radiation oncology studies. He then stepped into a Project Manager role for the HFpEF program run by Dr. Sanjiv Shah.  Most recently, Hamorabi has transitioned to the Clinical Operations Manager in the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute Clinical Trails Unit where he oversees the research staff and day to day operations of the group. Outside of Northwestern, Hamorabi can occasionally be found managing dance floors from the DJ booth at various establishments.

Lauren grew up in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  She attended the University of Missouri, where she obtained her Bachelor of Health Science degree, followed by a Master of Science degree with a focus in Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound.   She joined Dr. Shah’s lab as a research sonographer in 2010.  Lauren has served as the lead sonographer on several clinical trials and is also responsible for performing echo in rodents, dogs, and primates for a variety of heart failure studies.  In her capacity as technical director of the core laboratory, she has quantitated over 5,000 echos for projects relating to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, scleroderma, and pulmonary hypertension.  She is also the resident expert on speckle tracking echocardiography, a high level echo analysis technique that is used to evaluate the deformation of atrial and ventricular tissue.  In 2015, Lauren became a Fellow of the American Society of Echocardiography.  She frequently presents on speckle tracking echocardiography and animal echocardiography and is also responsible for training new laboratory personnel in basic and advanced echocardiographic analysis techniques and cardiovascular anatomy and physiology.  Outside of the lab, Lauren enjoys reading, horseback riding, watching Mizzou football and basketball, and spending time with her young family and her dog, Charles Barkley.

Ryan grew up in Northwest Indiana before venturing south to Purdue University for his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.  After undergrad, he moved to Chicago and began working at Northwestern in 2011.  After working on a few projects focused on the genetics of polycystic ovary syndrome and completing a Masters of Science in Predictive Analytics, Ryan joined Dr. Shah’s lab in January 2019.  As lab manager, Ryan has a hand in various aspects of all non-clinical trial studies and always trying to learn more.  He enjoys reading, having his heart broken by Purdue sports, and enjoying baseball through statistical analysis.

Kiersten Rasberry was born in Chicago, IL, and raised in the western suburb of Aurora. She attended Princeton University receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Medical Anthropology with a minor in Global Health and Health Policy. During her undergraduate studies, Kiersten demonstrated an early interest in cardiology, working with an interventional cardiologist to research and write a publication on the safety and efficacy of the transulnar approach during percutaneous coronary interventions. Following graduation from Princeton, Kiersten began working as a clinical research coordinator in the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute Clinical Trials Unit, where she managed pharmaceutical studies on dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, as well as HFpEF. Most recently, Kiersten began her studies at the Feinberg School of Medicine pursuing her MD. Outside of school, she enjoys exploring the city of Chicago, spending time with family and friends, and traveling.

Ellen hails from West Michigan and completed her undergraduate studies in Movement Science at the University of Michigan. She briefly moved to Chicago in 2016, while earning her master’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. After graduation from UIC, she returned to Michigan and started her career at University of Michigan Health- Michigan Medicine in the Ann Arbor area. There, she worked in Phase II cardiac rehab and performed a variety of clinical stress tests. Ellen returned to Chicago in 2023, shifting her career focus to working in research performing cardiopulmonary exercise tests and stress echocardiograms in Dr. Shah’s lab. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time along the shores of Lake Michigan, hiking, traveling, attending events around the city, and quality time with friends and family.  

Jordyn is a current Chicago resident who attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for her undergraduate studies in Kinesiology. She then went on to work in research at both the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and Northwestern Memorial Hospital prior to attending PA school at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. After completion of her Masters in Physician Assistant Studies, she started her first job as a certified PA in Lung Transplant at Northwestern Memorial Hospital before transitioning into her current role in cardiology as part of the HFpEF and Pulmonary Hypertension programs. 

Sue was born in Winnetka, Illinois and attended the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign on an soccer scholarship, where she obtained a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences. Her heart was always yearning to study nursing so shortly after graduation she enrolled in Chamberlain College of Nursing in Chicago earning her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing graduating with honors. Sue began her nursing career working on the Hematology-Oncology Stem Cell Transplant  Unit at Northwestern Medicine where she continued to hone her nursing skills and served as a preceptor for new nurses. Sue then transitioned to a Clinical Research Coordinator position at Northwestern University working with patients with autoimmune diseases for participation in Stem Cell Transplant Clinical Trials –CAST (Cardiac Safe Transplant for Systemic Sclerosis) & ASSISTIIB (Autologous Stem Cell Systemic Sclerosis Immune Suppression Trial). Sue then transitioned back to Northwestern Medicine where she is now the Clinical Nurse Program Coordinator for Cardiomyopathy and focuses on new patient coordination, clinical protocols, clinical trials, program development, patient education, multi-disciplinary physician collaboration, and community outreach for both Cardiac Amyloidosis & Cardiac Sarcoidosis Programming.

Caitlan was born and raised in Chicago, IL and earned her Bachelor's of Science in Nursing at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN. Caitlan began her nursing career in Northwest Indiana working on a cardiac telemetry step-down and observation unit. Her strong clinical knowledge and leadership skills became evident, and she was promoted to the charge nurse role on her unit. She then transitioned to Northwestern Medicine as a clinical nurse in heart failure where she focuses on patient education and heart failure management in the ambulatory setting. Caitlan is also a member on the Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice Committee. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring the city, spending quality time with her family and friends, and walking her two dogs Ace and Charlie.

Madeline Jankowski is an advanced cardiac sonographer and research associate with Northwestern University. A Wisconsin native, Maddie is a Chicago transplant via Cleveland, OH, where she started her sonography career at the Cleveland Clinic. From 2015-2021, she served as a lead sonographer in the Northwestern Memorial hospital echo lab, transitioning into a researched focus role in 2021. In her clinical work, she specializes in adult patient’s undergoing stress echo and valvular research studies. In research, her interests include artificial intelligence and advanced echo technology, including strain and 3D analysis. She is the current chair of the Adult Echo Boards Exam committee with the sonographer credentialing body – Inteleos, and the sonographer co-chair of the 2023 American Society of Echocardiography Scientific Sessions in National Harbor.

Bonnie was born on Long Island but has lived most of her life in the Chicago suburbs. She graduated from Quinnipiac College (now University) in Hamden, Connecticut in 1980 with a BS in Laboratory Animal Technology. Early in her career she briefly worked as a Veterinary Technologist at an animal hospital and then moved to Northwestern University where she has been for 35 years. The first 8 years she worked as a Veterinary Technologist/Surgical Coordinator for the Center for Experimental Animal Resources. In 1990, Bonnie joined a Cardiovascular Research laboratory where she performed cardiovascular ultrasound exams for clinical and animal research studies, and eventually became the laboratory manager in 2005. Over the past 12 years, she continues as a sonographer for large multi-site studies for echo, carotid IMT and brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD) studies (MESA, CARDIA, the HIV-CVD Collaborative) in addition to numerous smaller studies. She recently has joined the Shah laboratory, performing ultrasound scans for various studies including MESA, MACS, KNOCK-OUT and AHA-GRFW. She continues to be the only sonographer here at Northwestern University certified to perform the brachial flow mediated dilation (FMD) scans. Bonnie is a registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer with the ARDMS and is a Fellow with the American Society of Echocardiography. She has presented at Echo Northwestern and the American Society of Echocardiography Scientific Sessions.

Allie attended the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire where she received her Bachelor of Science degree, specialized in Kinesiology. She continued her education at Benedictine University where she received her Master of Science degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology. After working at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Cardiac Diagnostics for 3.5 years, she went back to school for Echocardiography. She first joined the lab in 2017 quantitating echos relating to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and a specialization in strain technology. Some of her responsibilities include review and critique of sonographer's echocardiograms for the MASALA study, and is the lead and primary contact for the Validation Study in India. Allie is excited to start new advanced technology using artificial intelligence on their most recent projects. 

Juliet grew up in the Southside of Chicago, Illinois, and attended Eastern Illinois University, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Administration/Therapeutic Recreation.  Later on, she studied exercise physiology courses at University Of Illinois at Chicago and echocardiography/electrocardiography at Medical Careers Institute where she began her career as a Cardiology Sonographer.  Juliet has worked at Northwestern Memorial Hospital Echo Lab for 15 years and has focused on research studies that eventually brought her to Dr. Shah’s Lab where she is in charge of administering echocardiograms and measurement/ strain analysis on multiple research studies. In addition to this, she enjoys sports, outdoor activities, music, spending time with family/friends and volunteering for military fundraisers.

Abi grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota and completed her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University. After graduating, she worked for several years as an engineer for a medical devices company before completing a master’s degree in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Abi has since collaborated with Northwestern University investigators for over 10 years on a variety of studies, trials, and projects. She is currently completing her dissertation at Johns Hopkins, working towards a doctoral degree in public health (DRPH) with a focus on implementation science. Abi enjoys spending time with her daughter, volleyball, reading, and being outdoors.

Before moving to Chicago with her family, Mo had worked at research institutes focusing on neuroscience and next generation genomic sequencing. She received her master’s in biology from Northeastern University and master’s in statistics in San Diego State University. Mo always has an extensive interest in healthcare fields, especially the analytical aspect. She joined Dr. Shah’s lab a statistical/bioinformatic analyst. Her current work involves applying both conventional statistics and novel machine learning methods in cardiology such as identifying risk factors and improving diagnosis. Outside work, Mo enjoys traveling, cooking and exploring the city of Chicago with her family.

I am originally from New England and moved to Chicago after graduating in the Spring of 2023. I attended the University of Michigan where I received a degree in Neuroscience. While in Michigan, I worked as an MA at a pediatric office, particularly working with COVID positive patients. I am very excited to be shifting my focus towards heart failure clinical research here at Northwestern.

Despite his lack of an accent, Dan grew up on Long Island, NY and attended Washington University in St Louis where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Biology.  He spent two of his undergraduate summers working with Dr. William R. Jacobs at his tuberculosis lab at Albert Einstein College of Medicine where he helped with knockout plasmid design and delivery.  Additionally, he spent a summer working with Dr. John Curci at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine to study the use of doxycycline after endoluminal aneurysm repair.  After graduating from undergraduate studies, Dan worked as an oncology clinical research coordinator at The University of Chicago before moving to Northwestern University’s Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center.  He has been with the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute since 2012 where he works on a range of trials including those for vascular disease, heart failure, regenerative medicine, and electrophysiology.  In his spare time he is an avid biker rider and also enjoys strength training with friends.  He is also working towards completing his Masters of Science in Health Informatics through Northwestern’s School of Professional Studies.

Lis is from Phoenix, Az and graduated with a degree in Chemistry from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Or. Before being a clinical research coordinator for the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, Lis spent a year as a research study assistant with the All-of-Us Research Program in the preventive medicine department. She has trained in phlebotomy and is a certified Mental Health First Aider. In her spare time, Lis enjoys reading, spending time with friends, and trying new baking recipes.  

Brenda is a Chicago native. Started working at Northwestern Medical Group for Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute in 2010 checking patients in. 8 months later was assisting with scheduling procedures for TAVR patients, medical records clerk, hospital follow ups. Moved into a New Patient Coordinator role triaging new patients scheduled with cardiac and vascular surgery (4yrs), Patient Liaison for the Pulmonary Hypertension team triaging patients with pulmonary hypertension and CTEPH (6yrs). Left NM after 12 yrs and transitioned into her Program Coordinator role with Dr. Shah's team at Northwestern University. 

Amanda is a Chicagoland native with a background in psychology and healthcare administration. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky. She returned to Illinois after graduating to work with Northwestern's All of Us Research Program, the largest NIH-funded study aimed at advancing precision medicine. With a strong interest in health equity and innovation, Amanda completed a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration at Northwestern University, where she focused on the intersection of technology, patient experience, and clinical research. She is passionate about improving access to care through thoughtful system design and collaborative research. In her free time, Amanda enjoys reading, spending time with her dog, and trying new restaurants with friends.

Uma is from Cincinnati, Ohio and attended The Ohio State University for both her undergraduate and graduate studies in Public Health and Epidemiology. Prior to joining Dr. Shah’s lab, Uma worked as a Research Study Coordinator on the Cardiovascular Research Database study in the Clinical Trials Unit and worked on atrial fibrillation research at Ohio State. Currently, Uma is furthering her education and professional development at Northwestern University, where she is pursuing her Master of Healthcare Administration. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Uma serves as a helpline advocate for survivors of sexual assault. In her free time, Uma enjoys fine art and classical music and you can find her at the Art Institute of Chicago and CSO!

Savren is from Tuscaloosa, Alabama and attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a minor in Psychology. Moving to Illinois after graduating in 2020, Savren joined the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute - Clinical Trials Unit as Dr. Shah's Program Coordinator in early 2022. She works on a variety of projects running stress tests, working with visiting scholars on their studies, and helping oversee day to day operations of Dr. Shah's lab.  In her spare time, Savren enjoys hiking, running, backpacking, and reading.

Liz grew up in St. Louis, MO and made her way to Chicago for her undergraduate studies in Health Sciences at DePaul University. She went on to attend Northwestern University and earned her Master of Public Health, with a focus on Community Health Research. Once completing her studies, Liz worked with Healthy Futures of Texas, conducting an evaluation and review of a new puberty curriculum. Shortly after, she joined Dr. Sanjiv Shah's lab as she stepped into a Research Project Coordinator role for the Echo Core Lab. Here she works with a variety of trials, ensuring organization of documents, coordinating study activities, and visualizing data. In addition to Echo Core Lab, Liz works within the Clinical Trials Unit where she is leading the development of an HCM registry. Outside of Northwestern, you can find Liz trying out new coffee shops and taking yet another picture of lake Michigan or the city skyline.