Associate Professor of Medicine, Physiology, and Bioengineering at UCLA,United States
René Rupen Sevag Packard, MD, PhD, is an esteemed Associate Professor-in-Residence in the Division of Cardiology at the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA. Fluent in English, French, German, and Armenian, he holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Switzerland. Dr. Packard’s clinical focus encompasses nuclear cardiology and molecular imaging, where he serves as the Director of Cardiac Molecular Imaging at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. His research, grounded in advanced imaging techniques and bioengineering, seeks to innovate cardiovascular disease diagnostics and treatment. With a commitment to mentorship, he actively guides trainees in their academic pursuits. Dr. Packard’s contributions to cardiology and molecular imaging have earned him numerous accolades, establishing him as a leader in the field.
Profile:
ORCID Profile
Strengths for the Award:
- Extensive Academic Background: Dr. Packard has a robust academic foundation, holding both MD and PhD degrees with a focus on molecular and cellular physiology related to cardiovascular diseases. His joint appointments across multiple departments at UCLA demonstrate his interdisciplinary approach and ability to bridge medicine and engineering.
- Leadership and Innovation: As the Director of Cardiac Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Cardiology at prominent medical centers, he has demonstrated leadership in advancing imaging techniques crucial for diagnosing and treating cardiovascular diseases. His recent publications on novel imaging tracers showcase his commitment to innovative research.
- Impactful Research Contributions: Dr. Packard has a significant publication record, with numerous articles in high-impact journals, including Nature and the Journal of Nuclear Medicine. His work on anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity and advanced imaging methods reflects a strong contribution to both basic and translational research.
- Awards and Recognition: His accolades, including the Lauren B. Leichtman and Arthur E. Levine Cardiovascular Discovery Fund Investigator award and Young Investigator Awards, indicate recognition by peers and institutions for his contributions to the field.
- Mentorship and Training: Dr. Packard has actively engaged in training the next generation of researchers and clinicians, evidenced by his involvement in multiple interdepartmental programs and his role in mentoring young investigators, further solidifying his impact on the academic community.
Areas for Improvement:
- Broader Collaboration: While Dr. Packard has established collaborations within UCLA, expanding partnerships beyond his institution could enhance the reach and applicability of his research findings.
- Public Engagement: Increasing efforts to communicate research findings to broader audiences, including laypersons, could improve public understanding of cardiovascular health and the importance of imaging technologies.
- Diversity in Research Focus: While his expertise in nuclear cardiology is profound, diversifying his research to include other aspects of cardiovascular diseases could lead to new insights and broader applicability of his work.
- Funding for Innovative Projects: Pursuing additional funding opportunities, particularly for groundbreaking projects that may initially seem high-risk, could foster innovation and allow for exploration of novel hypotheses.
Education:
Dr. Packard’s educational journey began at the University of Geneva, where he earned his Federal Degree of Medicine (MD) in 2004. He continued his training with a Cardiovascular Biology Research Fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, followed by a prestigious fellowship in the Division of Cardiology at UCLA. In 2016, he earned his PhD from UCLA, focusing on Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology, under the mentorship of Dr. Tzung K. Hsiai. His dissertation, “Advanced Imaging and Bioengineering Approaches to Cardiovascular Disease,” reflects his commitment to merging clinical practice with cutting-edge research. Dr. Packard’s academic background has laid a solid foundation for his work in cardiovascular medicine and molecular imaging.
Experience:
Dr. Packard has amassed significant experience in cardiovascular medicine, with clinical appointments spanning various prestigious institutions. He has served as Attending Physician of Cardiology at both the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and the Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Medical Center. He has held the role of Clinical Instructor and Assistant Professor-in-Residence at UCLA, progressing to Associate Professor-in-Residence in 2024. His leadership is exemplified by his directorships in Cardiac Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Cardiology at UCLA and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. As a dedicated educator, Dr. Packard has played a pivotal role in training the next generation of cardiologists through his involvement in fellowship programs and interdepartmental doctoral initiatives. His diverse experience has positioned him as a vital contributor to advancements in cardiovascular care and imaging technologies
Awards and Honors:
Dr. Packard’s dedication to cardiovascular medicine and research has been recognized through numerous prestigious awards. He received the Lauren B. Leichtman and Arthur E. Levine Cardiovascular Discovery Fund Investigator award in 2021, reflecting his contributions to innovative research. His commitment to mentorship was acknowledged with the 2020 Early Career Mentorship Program award from the American Heart Association. Dr. Packard was honored with the 1st Place Young Investigator Award by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging in 2019, underscoring his impactful research. He has received multiple Tibor Fabian Research Awards from UCLA, recognizing his outstanding research contributions. His editorial work has also garnered accolades, including the Kenneth Brown Award for Best Editorial in the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology. In 2018, he was named a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, a testament to his professional excellence and commitment to the field.
Research Focus:
Dr. Packard’s research focuses on the intersection of cardiovascular disease, advanced imaging techniques, and molecular biology. He employs innovative bioengineering approaches to develop diagnostic tools that enhance the understanding and treatment of cardiovascular conditions. His work in nuclear cardiology leverages advanced imaging modalities, including PET and SPECT, to evaluate myocardial perfusion and identify cardiac abnormalities. Dr. Packard is particularly interested in the molecular mechanisms of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity, aiming to uncover protective pathways and biomarkers for early detection. Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, he integrates insights from bioengineering, molecular biology, and clinical practice to drive translational research that addresses unmet needs in cardiovascular health. His research not only contributes to academic knowledge but also aims to improve clinical outcomes for patients with cardiovascular diseases.
Publication Top Notes:
- Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy unmasks high‐risk atherosclerotic features in human coronary artery disease.
- Invasive electrochemical impedance spectroscopy with phase delay for experimental atherosclerosis phenotyping.
- Expanding the repertoire of 18F-labeled PET MPI radiotracers.
- Histone H1.0 couples cellular mechanical behaviors to chromatin structure.
- Total-Body PET/CT Applications in Cardiovascular Diseases: A Perspective Document of the SNMMI Cardiovascular Council.
- Distal-vessel fractional flow reserve by computed tomography to monitor epicardial coronary artery disease.
- Flexible 3-D Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Sensors Incorporating Phase Delay for Comprehensive Characterization of Atherosclerosis.
- Prevalence and nature of extracardiac findings in PET/CT myocardial perfusion imaging.
- Integrative transcriptomics and cell systems analyses reveal protective pathways controlled by Igfbp‐3 in anthracycline‐induced cardiotoxicity.
- Extended reality for biomedicine.
- Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity: From pathobiology to identification of molecular targets for nuclear imaging.
Conclusion:
Dr. René Rupen Sevag Packard exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding researcher through his extensive contributions to cardiovascular medicine, leadership in innovative imaging techniques, and dedication to mentorship. His impressive publication record and recognition within the academic community underscore his impact on the field. While there are opportunities for further collaboration and engagement, his strengths position him as a strong candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. Recognizing his efforts would not only honor his accomplishments but also inspire continued excellence in cardiovascular research.