Lab Team

Dr. Eghtesady is the Emerson Chair in Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, the Section Chief of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, and the Cardiothoracic Surgeon-in-Chief at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Dr. Eghtesady is a physician-scientist dedicated to improving the lives of children affected by CHD. His research over the last two decades has focused on complementary mechanisms to genetic underpinnings of CHD. As a triple-board certified surgeon [General Surgery, Thoracic, and Congenital Heart Surgery], he predominantly care for cardiothoracic problems affecting children and newborns.

Dr. Garand is an Instructor in the Department of Surgery – Section of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery. Dr. Garand is a biochemist/molecular biologist by training and is now a seasoned immunologist. Dr. Garand is interested in translational research focused on improving prevention and treatments for immunopathology and infectious diseases in neonates and young infants. His current research projects are about the immune responses in neonates following surgery and identifying factors contributing to the pathogenesis of congenital heart disease as well as their specific mechanisms. Dr. Garand is currently using advanced high-throughput screening and sequencing technologies to assess the relationship between viral infection and congenital heart disease. He has taught several medical school and undergraduate classes and has provided mentorship/supervision for over 14 years.