Where did you receive your undergraduate and/or medical training?
I completed my undergraduate, medical school and doctorate at Duke. My residency was at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

How long have you been at Duke?
Since 1984 except for three years during pediatric residency at Rainbow.

Have you received any awards or honors? Do you sit on any boards or journals?
I received the Stead-McDaniel Research Scholarship at Duke University Medical Center in 1990 and 1991, and the Predoctoral Research Fellowship, National Science Foundation/ Engineering Research Center, Center for Emerging Cardiovascular Technologies at Duke University in 1994 and 1995.

I’ve been awarded the Neonatology Clinical Excellence Award from Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in 1997, the Neonatology Clinical Excellence Award - Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in 1999, the Resident Research Presentation Award, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in 1999, the NIH Institutional National Research Service Award Trainee, Duke University Medical Center, July 1999 to June 2001, American College of Cardiology/Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Affiliate in Training Award in March 2001, and the Michael M. Frank MD Academic Fellowship Award, Dept. of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, in July 2001 to June 2002.

I’m a journal reviewer for the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, American Heart Journal, American Journal of Cardiology, Heart Rhythm, and Clinical Science.

I was also a reviewer for NIH Minority Biomedical Research Support SCORE pilot project in 2004.

What are your board certifications and society memberships?
I am board certified in pediatrics (1999) and pediatric cardiology (2004). I am a member of the American Heart Association Scientific Council on Cardiovascular Diseases in the Young, American College of Cardiology, Pediatric Electrophysiology Society, Cardiac Electrophysiology Society, and the Heart Rhythm Society.

What led you into the field of pediatric cardiology/pediatric cardiac surgery?
I have always had exposure to pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery throughout my childhood -- I suppose that had a lasting effect. I felt that I could make the most impact by applying my training in biomedical engineering and basic electrophysiology to children with heart disease.

What are your areas of sub-specialty and how have things changed since you entered the field?
Pediatric electrophysiology, arrhythmias, and ablation are my areas of subspecialty. New technologies for arrhythmia ablation and three-dimensional catheter tracking and imaging have developed in the past several years. These are exciting additions to the clinical tools needed to treat pediatric arrhythmias.

Are you involved with any clinical trials or research studies? If so, what are you examining?
I presently run a basic science electrophysiology laboratory in collaboration with faculty in biomedical engineering. In this laboratory, I am studying the influence of normal postnatal electrophysiologic development on arrhythmia vulnerability in the newborn, child, and adolescent. These studies will help in our understanding of arrhythmogenesis throughout childhood.

I also collaborate with faculty in Biomedical Engineering in the advancement of real-time three-dimesional echocardiographic imaging during electrophysiologic procedures.

What drew you to Duke and what do you enjoy most about your work?
I came to Duke as an undergraduate because of its excellence in Biomedical Engineering. I enjoy being able to both help patients in the hospital and help patients through my research.

What are your personal hobbies or interests?
I enjoy cooking, gardening, and being with my family.