Lab Members

Jennifer Van Eyk, PhD, is a prominent proteomic and cardiac scientist and has been named the inaugural director of Cedars-Sinai's Advanced Clinical Biosystems Research Institute. She leads basic research at Cedars-Sinai's Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center aimed at unlocking the mysteries of gender differences in heart disease.

Margo B. Minissian, PhD, RN, is nationally board certified as an acute care nurse practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and holds California licensures as an acute care nurse practitioner and a clinical nurse specialist. Her focus is on women and heart disease, specifically microvascular disease and endothelial wall dysfunction.

Wei received her MD from Northwestern University and completed her internal medicine residency at Cedars-Sinai. She remained at Cedars-Sinai for her general cardiology fellowship and was a Chief Cardiology Fellow in 2012-13. Additionally, she was the 2013-14 Constance Austin Women's Heart Fellow at the Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center.

Deeksha Acharya, MD completed her internal medicine residency at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-McKeesport Hospital. She served as chief resident during her third year and was awarded best resident two years in a row. She is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a member of the American College of Cardiology IM program-Women's Cohort. Her passion for women's cardiovascular health and prevention brought her to the Barbara Streisand Women's Heart Center, Women's Heart Fellowship, where she is eager to grow her clinical and research interests. Her research interests include Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) and INOCA and she strives to go into Cardiology Fellowship in the future.

I am currently working on the following studies: Cardiac MRI-Normal Reference Group, Autologous CD34 Cells for the Treatment of Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction (CMD), Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) Mechanisms of CMD Leading to Pre-Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), and its brain supplement and vascular inflammation sub-studies.

Ana joined Cedars-Sinai in November 2021 from the Instituto Cardiovascular de Buenos Aires, where she is board-certified in cardiology and internal medicine. She collaborates with other investigators in the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center to boost knowledge of heart diseases in women, specifically microvascular disease and endothelial wall dysfunction.

Maria holds a BS in statistics from California State University, Northridge (CSUN), and has gained valuable experience at Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center and City of Hope. Her passion for medical data has brought her to the Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center, where she is eager to contribute her expertise.

Jenna received her BA from UC Berkeley in molecular and cell biology with an emphasis on cell and developmental biology in 2018. She joined the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center in 2015 and manages data collection and study implementation. She is also the Biobank coordinator, managing many biorepository studies.

Dorcas received her MPH from Boston University, School of Public Health in epidemiology and international health. Her love for clinical research data led her to join the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center. She assists in managing research data for various studies.

Sabrina graduated from the University of Southern California with a BA in health and human sciences (emphasis on international health) and two minors, occupational sciences and international relations. Sabrina joined the Bairey Merz Lab to contribute to the intersectionalities in cardiology research and strives to become a pediatric occupational therapist.

Brenda graduated from UCSD with a bachelor's in sociology. She aspires to be a clinical social worker. Her interest in addressing health disparities has led her to join the Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center. Since joining the Bairey Merz Lab, her work primarily focuses on the SCORE Mae-West Study.

Yulith Roca Alvarez, MD, graduated from Universidad Adventista del Plata in Argentina and completed her internal medicine residency at Kettering Health in Ohio. She is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and aspires to be a cardiologist, focusing on women’s heart health, microvascular disease and preventive cardiology.

Natalie received an AA degree in interdisciplinary studies from Los Angeles Trade Technical College. Natalie began working on the Takotsubo Registry and currently works for the Bairey Merz Lab on the WARRIOR trial. Natalie is working on her BSN and aspires to become an NP.

Niko holds a post-baccalaureate in medical technology from CSUDH and a BA in biology from CSUN. She served as a logistical specialist in the U.S. Army National Guard. She is CPT certified and pursuing EKG and Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) certifications.

Brandon graduated from Yale University with a BS in molecular, cellular and developmental biology. Previous stints include the Emergency Department at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston as well as for the Department of Anesthesiology at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

Dominique graduated from Howard University with a BS in biology and double minors of chemistry and psychology. Her work in the Bairey Merz Lab focuses primarily on the WARRIOR trial. Dominique aspires to be a family practice physician in the future and is prepping for medical school.

Eileen graduated from Cal State Long Beach, with a BA in sociology. She joined Cedars-Sinai in 2015 and through dedication and hard work, she flourished in her administrative leadership role. Eileen is well-organized and able to multitask while maintaining a high level of professionalism and attention to detail.