Preventive Cardiovascular Research Group 

Iwona Świątkiewicz, MD, PhD, FESC

Visiting Scholar

Dr.  Świątkiewicz is a Professor of Medicine in Nicolaus Copernicus University, Collegium Medicum, Bydgoszcz, Poland. Her medical training and specialization include internal medicine and cardiology. She has been involved in research, teaching, and clinical activities, and participated in numerous professional events, teaching courses, workshops, and scientific meetings. She published more than 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals and several book chapters. Her research interests are focused on the diagnostic and prognostic value of echocardiography and biomarkers in cardiac diseases, efficacy and safety of transcatheter structural cardiac interventions, circadian clock disruption in cardiometabolic diseases, impact of pharmacologic intervention and lifestyle changes on cardiometabolic risk, and clinical and translational research in cardiovascular diseases. Her clinical areas of activities include non-invasive cardiology, echocardiography, prevention of heart disease, management of heart defects, coronary disease and heart failure, transcatheter structural cardiac interventions, as well as evidence-based tailored approach to care of individual patients.

Jia Shen, MD

Investigator

Jia Shen, MD, is a board-certified cardiologist who specializes in the treatment and prevention of heart disease.

As an assistant professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine, Dr. Shen's research interests include cardiac rehabilitation, global burden of cardiovascular disease and risk factors, distribution of cardiovascular health services in low-resource settings, and biomarkers in cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Shen was named outstanding fellow during her fellowship training in cardiovascular disease at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, where she also completed her residency training in internal medicine. She earned her medical degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine in Missouri. She also holds a Master of Public Health degree from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston. She is board certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease.

In addition to English, Dr. Shen is fluent in Mandarin.

Erika Padilla

Clinical Research Coordinator

Erika Padilla earned her B.S. in Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience from UC San Diego in 2020, where she also worked as a student research assistant studying Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. Through this experience, she gained valuable insight into neurological diseases affecting movement and cognition.

Since joining Dr. Taub's research group, Erika has expanded her focus to cardiovascular medicine, where she is excited to explore the intersection of behavioral interventions and cardiovascular disease prevention. She is dedicated to advancing healthcare through innovative research and is passionate about improving health equity. Through her volunteer work at the UC San Diego Student-Run Free Clinic, she serves as a Spanish-English interpreter, providing culturally competent care to underserved communities. Erika is committed to ensuring that all patients, regardless of background, have access to compassionate and inclusive healthcare.

Outside of her professional and academic endeavors, Erika enjoys reading, rollerblading along the beach, and practicing Pilates and Yoga.

Marissa Dzotsi

Clinical Research Coordinator

Marissa earned her MPH with a concentration in Health Policy from UCSD in 2024 and a BA in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Non-Profit Social Enterprise/Philanthropy from USD. During her time at USD, she gained hands-on experience as a Care Coordinator for high-risk Medi-Cal recipients at La Maestra Community Health Centers, deepening her commitment to health equity. She also conducted research in Dr. Jessica Bell’s Biochemistry lab, exploring the phosphorylation of the SIKE protein. As captain of USD’s women’s rowing team, Marissa developed resilience, leadership, and teamwork skills, which she now channels into mentoring first-generation student-athletes at Hoover High School in City Heights. She also founded TriumphConnected, LLC., a platform supporting collegiate athletes in building careers beyond sports. Marissa’s research focuses on metabolic disorders and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), addressing healthcare disparities and driving impactful, accessible solutions for underserved communities. 

Gavin Mclaren

Clinical Research Coordinator

Skylar Johnson

Clinical Research Coordinator

Skylar Johnson graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 2017 with a B.S. in Psychology and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at Indiana University – Bloomington, with an expected graduation in 2026. She joined Preventive Cardiovascular Research Group in 2024, brining a strong foundation of clinical expertise and a deep understanding of patient care gained through her experience as an ophthalmology technician and scribe. She is excited about transitioning into clinical research and dedicated to advancing innovative studies that enhance patient outcomes, particularly for individuals with cardiovascular conditions. She is committed to contributing to healthcare innovation by addressing complex health challenges through high-quality research. Outside of her professional life, Skylar enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her dog. She is also exploring her creative side through crochet, blending her curiosity and love for new challenges into her hobbies. 

Fatima Abdelmajid

Clinical Research Coordinator

Fatima Abdelmajid is a licensed general practitioner in Sudan, the United Arab Emirates, and Ireland. She earned her Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Medical Science and Technology (UMST) in Khartoum. After completing her medical training, she served as a physician in clinical trials in the UAE, gaining experience in patient care and research coordination. Driven by a passion for advancing medical science, Dr. Abdelmajid pursued a Master’s in Clinical Research at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). She has co-authored several research papers across various specialties, with her latest work focusing on the efficacy of integrative medical approaches in gastrointestinal disease management, combining clinical insights with evidence-based practices. In her current role, she contributes to observing the impact of preventive medicine on cardiovascular health outcomes, with continued dedication to explore methods to bridging the gap between traditional and modern medicine, with innovative solutions in integrative and preventive healthcare.

Lauren Harris

Clinical Research Coordinator

Lauren holds degrees in Psychology and Medical Science. With a strong passion for exploring novel treatment options and improving patient care, she is dedicated to advancing healthcare through innovative research. Outside of her professional pursuits, Lauren enjoys hiking, traveling, and immersing herself in music, which allows her to recharge and stay inspired.

Mariam Marooki

Volunteer

Mariam Marooki, is a third year student at UC San Diego planning to graduate in June of 2025. She is majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology and hopes to pursue a career in medicine as a practicing physician. Mariam joined the Preventive Cardiovascular Research Group in June of 2024 with hopes of contributing to innovative approaches in preventive cardiology and understanding the different ways of enhancing patient care. Throughout her time at the lab, Mariam has been exploring the impacts of time-restricted eating on patients with type II diabetes and is excited further explore how this treatment can be integrated into clinical practice to improve the overall quality of care for patients. 

Outside of school and research, Mariam enjoys baking, taking walks on the beach, and spending quality time with family and friends.