Dr. Donald Bers

Biography

Donald M. Bers is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at UC Davis Health, where he has significantly contributed to the field of cardiovascular research. With over 470 publications and an impressive h-index of 115, his work has been fundamental in understanding cardiac calcium signaling and its implications for heart function. He has published a widely influential book titled 'Excitation-Contraction Coupling' and has maintained continuous NIH grant funding for over 35 years. Bers has mentored more than 100 Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows, many of whom have gone on to successful academic careers. He collaborates extensively both in the U.S. and internationally, leading large research groups that focus on crucial aspects such as calcium and sodium transport, electrophysiology of the heart, ion transporters, and the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac dysfunction. His research aims to provide deep quantitative insights into cardiac signaling, and he has developed computational models to further elucidate these processes. Bers has held prestigious roles, including serving on the NIH-NHLBI Board of Scientific Councilors, and has received numerous awards for his contributions to cardiovascular science, including the Peter Harris Distinguished Scientist Award.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards