Biographical summary
Atta Behfar is the Russ and Kathy Van Cleve Professor of Regenerative Medicine, a Consultant and Professor of Medicine in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Mayo Clinic in
Rochester, MN with joint appointments in the Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering and the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. He is also the Associate Program Director for the Cardiovascular Fellowship program and serves as the Co-Director of Innovation for Biologics in the Cardiology. Dr. Behfar earned his undergraduate degrees in biochemistry and mathematics from Marquette University. He joined Mayo Medical/Graduate Schools in 1998 where he completed his MD and PhD prior to joining the Clinician Investigator program for training in cardiovascular diseases and heart transplantation. His clinical area of focus is heart transplant and hemodynamic mechanical support devices. His research focus has been in regenerative medicine for the last 25 years with emphasis on stem cell
and exosome innovation, translation, and clinical trial application.
Conditions treated
Procedures performed
Interests
- Cardiac regeneration
- Ischemic heart disease
- Heart failure
- Wound healing and skin regeneration
- Regenerative orthopedics
- Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia
- Pulmonary Disease
- Neuroinflammation
- Mechanical Support in Heart Failure
Mayo Clinic locations
Education
- 2014
Fellowship - Advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology fellowshipMayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education
- 2014
SubSpec FellowAdvanced Heart Failure and Tra, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 2013
Clinical FellowshipMayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education
- 2013
FellowCardiovascular Disease, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 2011
ResidentClinician Investigator, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 2009
Clinician Investigator - Internal Medicine/CardiologyMayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education
- 2009
ResidentInternal Medicine, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 2006
MD/PhDMolecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Programs, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 1998
Undergraduate Studies - Bachelor of Science-Biochemistry (major), Mathematics (minor)
Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Sigma Nu, Magna Cum LaudeMarquette University
Activities and honors
Certifications
- 2016
Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant CardiologyAmerican Board of Internal Medicine
- 2014
Cardiovascular DiseasesAmerican Board of Internal Medicine
Awards and honors
- 2017
Distinguished Alumni AwardMayo Clinic Graduate School
- 2011
Runner up Parmley PrizeAmerican College of Cardiology
- 2010
Herman K. Gold Young Investigator's AwardAmerican College of Cardiology
- 2009
Foundation Clinician InvestigatorGeneral Mills
- 2009
Excellence in Research AwardMayo Clinic Rochester Departments
- 2005
Presidential AwardAmerican Society of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- 2003
MSPT Research Services AwardNational Institutes of Health
- 1998
Magna Cum Laude biochemistry with honorsMarquette University
- 1998
Magna Cum Laude mathematics with honorsMarquette University
- 1997
Silver award Howard Hughes Undergraduate Research
- 1996
Undergraduate research awardHoward Hughes
- 1994
Dean's list awarded every semester of academic careerMarquette University
- 1994
First PlaceWisconsin Science and Engineering Fair
Professional memberships
- 2020
LeadExtracellular vesicles interest group
- 2020
Co-ChairACT/CAR-T Biomanufacturing Steering Committee
- 2019
Co-ChairBiomaufacturing Taskforce
- 2019 - present
Executive ChairMayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Medicine IMP
- 2018 - 2021
Barswell Deputy Director for TranslationCenter for Regenerative Medicine
- 2018 - present
Subcommittee MemberManufacturing Quality and Compliance Subcommittee - Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic Clinical Practice Committee, Mayo Clinic
- 2018 - present
Co-DirectorDepartment Cardiovascular Diseases Innovation Biological Agents/ Drugs
- 2016 - present
DirectorVan Cleve Cardiac Regenerative Medicine Program
- 2010 - present
MemberAmerican Society of Gene and Cell Therapy
- 2009 - present
MemberAmerican Heart Association
- 2009 - present
MemberAmerican College of Cardiology
- 2007 - present
MemberCardio-3 Research Advisory Board
- 2006 - present
MemberAmerican College of Physicians
- 2002 - 2004
MemberMedical Scientist Training Program Admissions Committee
- 1998 - present
Alpha Sigma NuMarquette University
- 1998 - present
Phi Beta KappaMarquette University
- 1998 - present
MemberAmerican Medical Association
- 1998 - present
MemberMinnesota Medical Association
- 1996 - 1998
Undergraduate ScholarHoward Hughes Medical Society
Publications
Research activities