Pulmonary Circulation Gateway Programme

Dr Anna Hemnes is a translational physician-scientist researching altered metabolism in pulmonary vascular disease. Her research focuses on the effect of BMPR2 mutation on insulin-mediated intracellular signaling in the pulmonary vasculature and right ventricle, and the role of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in human pulmonary vascular disease. Her work has led to the development of an Omic signature of vasodilator-responsive pulmonary arterial hypertension, and she is actively researching novel blood-based Omic predictive strategies for FDA-approved therapies for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Dr Hemnes sees patients at the Vanderbilt Center for Pulmonary Vascular Disease is the Chair of Medicine and System Physician-in-Chief of Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Dr. Sandeep Sahay is a pulmonary and critical care physician specializing in pulmonary vascular diseases. He is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and serves as Director of the Pulmonary Hypertension Program at Houston Methodist Hospital.

A nationally recognized leader in pulmonary hypertension, Dr. Sahay is the Principal Investigator for multiple phase II and III clinical trials evaluating novel therapies for pulmonary arterial hypertension. He is frequently invited to serve on scientific steering committees, national leadership bodies, guideline panels, and in advisory roles with industry and regulatory agencies. He served as Chair of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) Pulmonary Vascular Diseases Section.

Dr. Sahay holds editorial leadership roles as Associate Editor for Pulmonary Circulation, JHLT Open, and Respiratory Medicine. He also serves on data and safety monitoring boards and endpoint adjudication committees for NIH-funded clinical trials.

An accomplished clinician and educator, Dr. Sahay is deeply committed to teaching and learning alongside the Houston Methodist faculty and fellows, as well as collaborating with colleagues worldwide. In recognition of his excellence in patient care, he received the American Thoracic Society Outstanding Clinician Award in 2025.

Dr. de Jesus Perez is Associate Dean of MD Admissions and holds the rank of Professor of Medicine with tenure in the Division of PACCM at Stanford University. His academic journey began with an MD from the University of Puerto Rico Medical School, followed by a distinguished residency in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. Subsequently, he pursued specialized training in pulmonary and critical care medicine in Denver, complemented by postdoctoral research at Stanford University.

Dedicated to advancing knowledge in pulmonary hypertension (PH), Dr. de Jesus Perez leads a comprehensive research program spanning basic and clinical domains. His investigations include various aspects of PH, from genetics and vascular biology to drug-induced complications and clinical outcomes. At the core of his research are two key areas: understanding the role of Wnt signaling in maintaining and restoring pulmonary microvasculature and examining genetic modifiers as predisposing factors for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).  As a medical professional, Dr. de Jesus Perez is involved in academic endeavors to improve access to care and the quality of life of patients afflicted with cardiopulmonary disorders.