Thomas R. Cimato MD, PhD

Thomas Cimato

Thomas R. Cimato
MD, PhD

Associate Professor

Department of Medicine

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences


Specialty/Research Focus

Cardiology; Cardiopulmonary physiology; Cardiovascular Disease; Critical Care Medicine; Gene Expression; Genomics and proteomics; Immunology; Inflammation; Molecular and Cellular Biology; Progenitor Cells; Signal Transduction; Stem Cells

Contact Information
Clinical and Translational Research Center
875 Ellicott Street
Suite 7030
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: 716-829-2663
Fax: 716-854-1840
tcimato@buffalo.edu


Patient Care

This faculty member is affiliated with UBMD, practicing physicians who are also professors in the Jacobs School.

View this physician on UBMD


Professional Summary:

I care for patients with a wide variety of heart problems including congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, valvular disease, and arrhythmias. My specialty is the diagnosis and treatment of systolic and diastolic congestive heart failure. I integrate information from multiple cardiac diagnostic studies to coordinate treatment for my patients with interventional cardiologists, heart rhythm specialists and heart surgeons. I am trained as an Advanced Heart Failure specialist and I am experienced in the treatment of patients with cardiac transplants and ventricular assist devices.

I am available to patients at the Great Lakes Cardiovascular offices in Amherst NY, the Buffalo General Medical Center Cardiology Clinic, and on the Cardiology inpatient services in the Buffalo General Medical Center (BGMC).

In the Cardiac Care Unit I oversee patients with acute congestive heart failure, most often after myocardial infarction. In the outpatient clinics I manage medical and device therapy for heart failure and perform cardiopulmonary stress testing to identify patients who need advanced heart failure therapies including left ventricular assist devices or cardiac transplantation.

I am involved in multi-center clinical trials in treatment of heart failure. I study the role of hematopoietic system and inflammation in repair of heart attacks and the failing heart via my own independent research, and in collaboration with pharmaceutical firms. I am a peer reviewer for several leading journals in Cardiology, and review research grant applications for the NIH and American Heart Association.

I teach and supervise Internal Medicine residents and Cardiology Fellows in all facets of my clinical practice: during inpatient hospital care in the Cardiac Care Unit, while interpreting cardiac imaging studies, and in my outpatient practice. I also teach and mentor young scientists involved in research.

Education and Training:

  • Fellowship, Stem Cell Biology Vascular Biology Genomics, National Institutes of Health (2007)
  • Fellowship, Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (2006)
  • Fellowship, Cardiovascular Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (2006)
  • Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System (2002)
  • MD, Medicine, University at Buffalo (1999)
  • PhD, Biochemistry, University at Buffalo (1999)
  • BS, Biochemistry Minor Chemistry, University at Buffalo, Cum Laude (1992)

Employment:

  • Associate Professor, Medicine, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2016-present)
  • Adjunct Member, Cell Stress Biology-Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Roswell Park Cancer Institute Roswell Park Graduate Division (2015-present)
  • Assistant Professor, Medicine, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2010–2016)
  • Research Assistant Professor, Cardiology, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2007–2010)
  • Assistant Clinical Investigator, National Heart Lung and Blood, and Human Genome Research Institutes, National Institutes of Health National Institutes of Health Intramural Research Program (2006–2007)
  • Clinical Fellow, Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplantation, Medicine, Johns Hopkins University Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (2005–2006)
  • NIH Postdoctoral Fellow, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health National Institutes of Health (2004–2006)
  • Clinical Fellow, Cardiology, Medicine, Johns Hopkins University Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2002–2005)
  • Resident, University of Pennsylvania, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2000–2002)
  • Intern, Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania University of Pennsylvania (1999–2000)
  • Medical Scientist Training Program, University at Buffalo (1992–1999)
See all (1 more)

Awards and Honors:

  • American Heart Association Research Administration Recognition Award (2016)
  • Finalist, Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis & Vascular Biology Council Award for Outstanding Research by an Early Career Investigator (2013)
  • University at Buffalo, Outstanding Laboratory-based Research (2013)
  • Most Read Articles in Circulation Journal-Molecular Cardiology (2010)
  • Fellow-American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (2009)
  • Finalist, Northwestern Cardiovascular Young Investigator's Forum (2008)
  • Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare (2001)
  • Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid of Research (1995)
  • National Medical Student Research Symposium (1994)
  • First Place-University at Buffalo School of Medicine Research Forum (1993)
  • National Medical Student Research Symposium (1993)
  • First Place-University at Buffalo School of Medicine Research Forum (1992)
  • Early Admission Program-University at Buffalo School of Medicine (1992)
  • Fellow-American College of Cardiology
  • Fellow-American Heart Association
  • Castle Connolly: America‘s Top Doctors

Research Expertise:

  • Atherosclerosis and vascular biology
  • Cardiovascular Stem Cell Biology
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Hematopoietic stem cells
  • Systolic and Diastolic Heart Failure

Research Centers:

  • Center for Research in Cardiovascular Medicine

Grants and Sponsored Research:

  • April 2016–November 2022
    PAREPET II: Prediction of Arrhythmic Events with Positron Emission Tomography II
    NIH/NHLBI
    Role: Co-Investigator
  • November 2019–November 2021
    Mobilization of Hematopoietic Progenitors with a Novel Agent
    Bristol Myers Squibb
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $210,000
  • September 2016–April 2019
    The Effect of Dapagliflozin on the Incidence of Worsening Heart Failure or Cardiovascular Death in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (DAPA-HF)
    Astra Zeneca
    Role: Principal Investigator
  • March 2016–March 2019
    Determining the Potential Role of Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) in the Microenvironment of Ovarian Cancer
    The Mae Stone Goode Charitable Trust
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $100,000
  • April 2017–March 2018
    Effects of HIV and Anti-retroviral Therapy on Circulating Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells: Insight to Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Patients with HIV
    NIH/NIAID, University of Rochester CFAR
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    $15,350
  • June 2014–January 2018
    Efficacy and Safety of LCZ696 Compared to Valsartan, on Morbidity and Mortality in Heart Failure Patients With Preserved Ejection Fraction (PARAGON-HF)
    Novartis Pharmaceuticals
    Role: Principal Investigator
  • September 2014–August 2017
    Effect of COMT genetic polymorphisms on response to propranolol therapy in TMD (SOPRANO Trial)
    National Institutes of Health/NIDCR
    Role: Contributor
  • July 2014–July 2015
    Senescence As a Stimulus for Inflammation in Heart Failure
    University at Buffalo CTSI
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $20,776
  • July 2010–June 2014
    Functional Characterization of Statin-mobilized Human Bone Marrow Derived Cells in Repair of Chronic Myocardial Ischemia
    American Heart Association
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $231,000
  • September 2013–February 2014
    Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibition With Tadalafil Changes Outcomes in Heart Failure (PITCH-HF)
    National Institutes of Health/NHLBI
    Role: Principal Investigator
  • January 2009–December 2012
    Modification of Resident Cardiac Stem Cells by Circulating Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
    NYSTEM
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • January 2008–December 2010
    New York State Stem Cell Science Institutional Support Pilot Project Award
    NYSTEM
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • June 2008–June 2010
    Effects of HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors on Systolic Dysfunction in Chronic Myocardial Ischemia
    Veterans Administration
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • September 2021
    Impella Supported PCI in High Risk Patients with Complex Coronary Artery Disease and Reduced Left Ventricular Function (Protect IV)
    Abiomed
    Role: Co-Investigator
  • April 2021
    Changes in NT-proBNP and Outcomes, Safety, and Tolerability in HFpEF Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF) Who Have Been Stabilized During Hospitalization and Initiated In-hospital or Within 30 Days Post-discharge (PARAGLIDE-HF)
    Role: Principal Investigator
  • April 2021
    Management of LDL-cholesterol With Inclisiran + Usual Care Compared to Usual Care Alone in Participants With a Recent Acute Coronary Syndrome (V-INCEPTION)
    Role: Principal Investigator
  • January 2021
    The CLASP Study: Edwards PASCAL TrAnScatheter Mitral Valve RePair System Study (CLASP)
    Role: Co-Investigator
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Journal Articles:

See all (28 more)

Professional Memberships:

  • Fellow, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (2006–present)
  • Member, American Society of Echocardiography (2006–present)
  • Member, Heart Failure Society of America (2006–present)
  • Member, International Society for Stem Cell Research (2006–present)
  • Fellow, American College of Cardiology (2002–present)
  • Fellow, American Heart Association (2002–present)

Presentations:

  • "Advanced Heart Failure Management" Gates Vascular Institute Symposium; Kaleida Health (2019)
  • "Data Guided Management of Heart Failure" University at Buffalo Primary Care Update Conference (2019)
  • "Flow Cytometry Analysis of Hematopoietic Progenitors in Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease" International Society for Advancement of Cytometry (2017)
  • "Hematopoietic Progenitors in Cancer and Heart Disease" UB Clinical and Translational Research Colloquium; University at Buffalo; Translational Research (2016)
  • "Hematopoietic Progenitors in Cancer and Heart Disease" Roswell Park Cancer Institute Immunology Research Conference; Roswell Park Cancer Institute; Department of Immunology (2016)
  • "An Unusual Case of Diarrhea and Hypotension" University at Buffalo Department of Medicine Grand Rounds (2016)
  • "Prevention of Heart Attack: Overview of the New Cholesterol Guidelines" SUNY at Buffalo-Dept Family Medicine; SUNY at Buffalo Sch of Medicine; Medical Grand Rounds (2013)
  • "Diagnosis and Management of Congestive Heart Failure" SUNY at Buffalo-Dept Medicine; SUNY at Buffalo Sch of Medicine; Medical Grand Rounds (2013)
  • "Master Cardiac Transcription Factor MESP1 is Highly Expressed in Adult Human CD34+ Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Its Levels are Modulated by Body Mass Index" American Heart Association Scientific Sessions; American Heart Assocation; ATVB/Stem and Progenitor Cells (2013)
  • "The Interaction of Cholesterol and Inflammation with Hematopoietic Stem Cells: A Potential Target For Therapy in Atherosclerosis" SUNY at Buffalo-Dept Medicine; SUNY at Buffalo Sch of Medicine; Research Grand Rounds (2013)
  • "Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor Increases the Angiogenic Properties of Human Pluirpotent Stem Cell Derived Neuropilin-1+ CD34+ Nascent Endothelial Cells Via a Jak2 Dependent Pathway" American Heart Association Scientific Sessions; American Heart Association; ATVB (2012)
  • "Component currents of cardiac myocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells" Biophysical Society; Biophysical Society (2012)
  • "Intracoronary infusion of cardiosphere-derived cells (icCDCs) improves cardiac function by stimulating myocyte-proliferation in non-infarcted hibernating myocardium with no effect on normal myocardium" American Heart Association Scientific Sessions; American Heart Association (2011)
  • "Simplified Monolayer Differentiation of Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Functional Cardiac Myocytes" Basic Cardiovascular Sciences (BCVS) Scientific Sessions 2011; American Heart Association (2011)
  • "Transcriptonal Profiling of Pluripotent Stem-Cell Derived Neuropilin-1+ CD34- Vascular Precursors Reveals Significant Overlap with Ventral Mesoderm and Identifies Signaling Pathways in Differentiation to Vascular Cells" Basic Cardiovascular Sciences (BCVS) Scientific Sessions 2011; American Heart Association (2011)
  • "Genomic analysis of early endothelial differentiation from human stem cells identifies novel growth factor signaling pathways involved in vasculogenesis" Atherosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology (2011)
  • "Drug therapy for Heart Failure and Heart Failure with Normal LV systolic function" University at Buffalo School of Medicine; ; Update for Primary Care Providers (2011)
  • "Neuropilins in Cardiac and Vascular Differentiation of Pluripotent Stem Cells" Roswell Park Cancer Institute; ; Cellular and Molecular Biology (2010)
  • "Pravastatin Increases Clonogenic Growth of Late Outrowth Endothelial Progenitor Cells (LOEPCs) and Increases Myocardial Capillary Density in Swine with Chronic Coronary Occlusion and Hibernating Myocardium" Northwestern University Cardiovascular Young Investigators Forum (2009)
  • "Vascular Precursors from Adult and Embryonic Stem Cells" Upstate New York Cardiovascular Research Symposium; ; University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry (2008)
  • "Chronic stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending artery in juvenile rats results in a critical impairment in coronary flow reserve and leads to the development of hibernating myocardium without necrosis" American Heart Association Scientific Sessions (2008)
  • "Neuropilin 1 identifies endothelial precursors in murine and human embryonic stem cells prior to CD34 expression." American Heart Association Scientific Sessions (2007)
  • "NHLBI Symposium on Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine" NHLBI Symposium on Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine; National Institutes of Health; National Institutes of Health (2007)
  • "Identification of Vascular Precursors from Human Stem Cells" University of Miami School of Medicine; ; Medicine Grand Rounds (2006)
  • "Identification of Vascular Precursors from Human Stem Cells" Cornell University-Weill School of Medicine; ; Cardiology Grand Rounds (2006)
See all (15 more)

Service Activities:

  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Poster Judge, Medical Student Research Forum; University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Poster Judge, Medical Student Research Forum (2021)
  • University at Buffalo CTSI KL2 Grant Reviewer Pennsylvania State University Clinical and Translational Science Award; University at Buffalo CTSI KL2 Grant Reviewer Pennsylvania State University Clinical and Translational Science Award (2021)
  • University of Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine Celebration of Scholarship: Poster Judge and Poster Presentation Facilitator; University of Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine Celebration of Scholarship: Poster Judge and Poster Presentation Facilitator (2021)
  • UB Cardiology Fellows Clinical Competence Committee; UB Cardiology Fellows Clinical Competence Committee (2021–present)
  • University at Buffalo CTSA KL2 Grant Reviewer; University at Buffalo CTSA KL2 Grant Reviewer (2020)
  • Cytometry B: Clinical Cytometry Peer Reviewer; Peer Reviewer (2019–present)
  • Promotions Committee Non-Tenured Faculty University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine; Member (2019–present)
  • Heart Failure Re-admissions Reduction Committee-Kaleida Health; Heart Failure Re-admissions Reduction Committee-Kaleida Health (2018–2021)
  • European Journal of Heart Failure; Peer Reviewer (2016–present)
  • University of California at Irvine Institute for Clinical & Translational Science Pilot Fund Ad hoc reviewer via University at Buffalo CTSA; University of California at Irvine Institute for Clinical & Translational Science Pilot Fund Ad hoc reviewer via University at Buffalo CTSA (2015)
  • European Heart Journal Peer Review; Peer Reviewer (2015–present)
  • National Institutes of Health; Cardiovascular Sciences Small Business Activities; Panel Member (2014–2016)
  • UB School of Medicine Faculty Council; Alternate Member (2014–2019)
  • Biology of Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation-Peer Reviewer; Peer Reviewer (2014–present)
  • Kaleida Acute MI and Heart Failure Readmission Committee; Kaleida Acute MI and Heart Failure Readmission Committee (2013–2018)
  • NIH; NHLBI/NIH; Grant Reviewer (2012–2014)
  • University at Buffalo: Scholarly Exchange Day; Research Facilitator 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018; Panel Member (2012–2018)
  • American Heart Association; Innovative Research Grants; Panel Member (2012–2014)
  • Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics; Peer Reviewer (2012–present)
  • Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research; Peer Reviewer (2012–present)
  • PLoS One Peer Reviewer; Peer Reviewer (2012–present)
  • Stem Cells Translational Medicine-Peer Reviewer; Peer Reviewer (2012–present)
  • Biosafety Committee; Member (2011–2014)
  • Stem Cells-Peer Reviewer; Peer Reviewer (2011–present)
  • Experimental Biology and Medicine-Peer Reviewer; Peer Reviewer (2011–present)
  • Cardiovascular Research; Peer Reviewer (2011–present)
  • Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology-Peer Reviewer; Peer Reviewer (2011–present)
  • Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee-Buffalo General Medical Center; Panel Member (2010–2014)
  • University at Buffalo Faculty Senate Representative-School of Medicine; Senator (2010–2012)
  • American Heart Association-Basic Cell Regenerative Cell Biology Study Section; Grant Reviewer (2009–2019)
  • American Journal of Physiology-Peer Reviewer; Peer Reviewer (2009–present)
  • Nuclear Cardiology Reading Panel-Buffalo General Hospital; Panel Member (2008–present)
  • Radiation Safety Officer-UB|MD Cardiology; Director (2008–2020)
  • Cardiology Fellowship Selection Committee; Cardiology Fellowship Selection Committee (2008–2014)
  • Staff Physician-Buffalo General Medical Center; Clinical Staff (2008–present)
  • American Journal of Cardiology-Peer Reviewer; Peer Reviewer (2008–present)
  • Staff Physician-WNY VA Medical Center; Clinical Staff (2007–2009)
  • Circulation Research Peer Reviewer; Reviewer (2007–present)
  • NHLBI Symposium on Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine; Advisory Board (2006–2007)

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Contact Information

Clinical and Translational Research Center
875 Ellicott Street
Suite 7030
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: 716-829-2663
Fax: 716-854-1840
tcimato@buffalo.edu

This faculty member is affiliated with UBMD, practicing physicians who are also professors in the Jacobs School.

View this physician on UBMD