Smilow Center Team

DIRECTOR

Hal Dietz

Dr. Dietz is trained as a pediatrician, cardiologist, and geneticist. He is a Professor of Pediatrics, Medicine, and Molecular Biology & Genetics in the Institute of Genetic Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and an Associate Investigator in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Dr. Dietz is currently chair of the Professional Advisory Board of the National Marfan Foundation. All research activities within the William S. Smilow Center for Marfan Syndrome research are coordinated by Dr. Dietz in a state-of-the-art molecular biology research laboratory. Dr. Dietz also coordinates a clinic for the comprehensive care of individuals with Marfan syndrome and related disorders.

RESEARCH TEAM
Daniel Judge is an Assistant Professor of Cardiology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He has been integrally involved in the generation of mouse models of Marfan syndrome and elucidation of molecular mechanisms of disease. He continues to be involved in elucidation of the mechanism of valve disease in Marfan syndrome and in the exploration of new treatment strategies.
Ronni Cohn is an Assistant Professor in the Institute of Genetic Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He performed the pioneering studies investigating the basis for muscle disease in Marfan syndrome and continues to study the basis for failed muscle regeneration in Marfan syndrome and related disorders.
Jennifer Habashi is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric Cardiology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She performed the initial studies demonstrating the effectiveness of losartan in mouse models of Marfan syndrome and is currently evaluating the utility of additional medications for the treatment of this disorder.
Bart Loeys is a Professor in the Institute of Genetic Medicine and at the University of Ghent in Belgium. He was intimately involved in the recognition and characterization of the Loeys-Dietz syndrome. He continues to work on the genetic basis of aortic aneurysm conditions.
Mark Lindsay is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric Cardiology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is exploring the developmental underpinnings of aortic aneurysm in Marfan syndrome and related disorders.
David Loch is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Institute of Genetic Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University of Medicine. He is developing mouse models of Loeys-Dietz syndrome in order to test new treatment strategies.
Christel Van Erp is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Institute of Genetic Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Her studies address molecular basis for failed muscle regeneration in the Marfan syndrome and related disorders.
Enid Neptune is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pulmonology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Her initial work identified altered TGFb signaling as a driving force in the pathogenesis of Marfan syndrome. She is now studying factors that are downstream TGFbeta that contribute to failed lung septation.
K.C. Kent is a Graduate Student in Human Genetics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She is currently studying both Loeys-Dietz syndrome and bi-commissural aortic valve with aneurysm.
Junji Chen is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Institute of Genetic Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is studying alterations in the performance of vascular smooth-muscle cells in both the Marfan syndrome and the Loeys-Dietz syndrome.
Pamela Frischmeyer-Guerrerio is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric Immunology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She is studying the basis for food allergy in patients with Loeys-Dietz syndrome
Anthony Guerrerio is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is studying the basis for inflammatory bowel disease in the Loeys-Dietz syndrome.
David Kim is a Graduate Student in the Cellular and Molecular Medicine Program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is studying the molecular basis for tetralogy of Fallot with ascending aortic aneurysm.
Tammy Holm is a Graduate Student in the Human Genetics Graduate Program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She is studying genetic modifiers of aortic disease in the Marfan syndrome.
Jefferson Doyle is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Cellular and Molecular Medicine Program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is studying genetic modifiers of vascular disease in inherited aortic aneurysm syndromes.
Sara Cooke is Lab Manager who coordinates studies for all members of the laboratory.
Loretha Myers is a Technician who performs immunohistochemical analyses.
Yi-Chun Chen is a Technician who coordinates animal colony maintenance. She also assists in clinical trials in the mouse models.
CLINICAL TEAM
Gretchen Oswald is a Genetic Counselor in the Institute of Genetic Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She serves as the coordinator for the Connective Tissue Clinic and also coordinates care for individuals with Loeys-Dietz syndrome.
Elizabeth (Libby) Sparks is an Advanced Practice Nurse in Genetics in the Institute of Genetic Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She participates in the diagnostic evaluation and clinical management of patients with diverse connective tissue disorders.
Mary Rykiel is a Nurse Practitioner in the Institute of Genetic Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She coordinates the losartan clinical trial at Johns Hopkins.
Felicia Bartee-Rogers is the Clinic Coordinator for our Connective Tissue Clinic in the Institute of Genetic Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She handles patient scheduling and coordinates their visit to our Connective Tissue Clinic.