Zahi A Fayad, PhD
img_Zahi A Fayad
DIRECTOR, BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING AND IMAGING INSTITUTE
PROFESSOR | Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology
PROFESSOR | Medicine, Cardiology
Research Topics
Atherosclerosis, Cardiovascular, Computed Tomography, Image Analysis, Imaging, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nanotechnology
Multi-Disciplinary Training Area
Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies in Medicine [AIET], Disease Mechanisms and Therapeutics (DMT)
My laboratory is focused on developing and using noninvasive imaging methods that allow the early detection, prevention, and treatment of cardiovascular disease.  Despite considerable therapeutic advances over the past 50 years, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. This is mainly a result of the increasing prevalence of atherosclerosis, owing to the ageing population, the improved survival of patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and, above all, the widespread under-recognition and undertreatment of individuals with risk factors for atherosclerosis.  Atherosclerosis is characterized by the thickening of the arterial wall to form an atherosclerotic plaque, a process in which cholesterol deposition, inflammation, extracellular-matrix formation and thrombosis have important roles (see Sanz and Fayad Nature 2008; 45:953-957). Symptoms occur late in the course of disease and are usually caused by the narrowing of the lumen of the artery, which can happen gradually (as a result of progressive plaque growth) or suddenly (as a result of plaque rupture and, subsequently, thrombosis). The resultant decrease in blood supply can affect almost any organ, although coronary heart disease and stroke are the most common consequences.

Traditionally, diagnosis of atherosclerosis was possible only at advanced stages of disease, either by directly revealing the narrowing of the arterial lumen (stenosis) or by evaluating the effect of arterial stenosis on organ perfusion. We are developing and using, new imaging approaches that allow the assessment not only of the morphology of blood vessels but also of the composition of the vessel walls, enabling atherosclerosis-associated abnormalities in the arteries (including the coronary arteries) to be observed, down to the cellular and molecular level in some cases. Some of these approaches are now in clinical use or are being tested in clinical trials, whereas others are better suited to basic (preclinical) and translational research.

Our current activities are focused on:

Imaging Acquisition and Analysis Methods: Development of novel multimodality cardiovascular imaging and analysis techniques using macro- and micro- Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR), computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and optical imaging.

Early Detection and Outcomes Prediction: Use of in vivo noninvasive multimodality imaging methods for the early detection of atherosclerosis in humans and for cardiovascular events and outcomes prediction.

Clinical Trials and Drug Development: Use in vivo noninvasive multimodality imaging methods in clinical trials for the development and testing of novel therapeutics to treat atherosclerosis.

Molecular Imaging: Development and use of novel multimodality imaging nanoparticulate systems to monitor fundamental cellular/molecular events in living subjects including patients.

Drug Delivery: Development and use of novel targeted drug delivery nanoparticulate systems to improve the treatment of atherosclerosis in living subjects including patients.

BSEE, Bradley University

MSE, Johns Hopkins University

PhD, University of Pennsylvania

2011

Opening Session Distinguished Lecturer

Radiological Society of North America

Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology companies, and other outside entities to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their outside financial relationships.

Below are financial relationships with industry reported by Dr. Fayad during 2023 and/or 2024. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.

Board Service

  • Trained Therapeutics Discovery

Consulting or Other Professional Services: Examples include, but are not limited to, committee participation, data safety monitoring board (DSMB) membership

  • Trained Therapeutics Discovery
  • rockley photonics
  • Matter Neuroscience

Editorial Services

  • America heart association

Equity (Stock or stock options valued at greater than 5% ownership of a publicly traded company or equity of any value in a privately held company)

  • Trained Therapeutics Discovery

Founder/Co-Founder/Partner:

  • Trained Therapeutics Discovery

Royalty Payments:

  • Trained Therapeutics Discovery

Mount Sinai's faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.