My earlier research examines the effects of both adult and prenatal chronic stress on cardiovascular disease. More recently I have been studying the microbial composition of subaerial biofilms growing on marble monuments of national and historical significance. I am also interested in developing and implementing research-based courses to enhance student engagement and learning in STEM.

• PhD in Biochemistry, 1997, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
• BA in Biology & Chemistry, 1993, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

• Najafi AH, Aghili N, Tilan JU, Andrews JA, Peng X, Lassance-Soares RM, Sood S, Alderman LO, Abe K, Li L, Kolodgie FD, Virmani R, Zukowska Z, Epstein SE, Burnett MS. A new murine model of stress-induced complex atherosclerotic lesions. Dis Model Mech. 2013 Mar;6(2):323-31.
• Lassance-Soares RM, Sood S, Chakraborty N, Jhamnani S, Aghili N, Nashin H, Hammamieh R, Jett M, Epstein SE, Burnett MS. Chronic stress impairs collateral blood flow recovery in aged mice. J Cardiovasc Transl Res. 2014 Nov;7(8):749-55.
• Stabile E, Kinnaird T, la Sala A, Hanson SK, Watkins C, Campia U, Shou M, Zbinden S, Fuchs S, Kornfeld H, Epstein SE, Burnett MS. CD8+ T lymphocytes regulate the arteriogenic response to ischemia by infiltrating the site of collateral vessel development and recruiting CD4+ mononuclear cells through the expression of interleukin-16. Circulation. 2006 Jan 3;113(1):118- 24.