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Atta Behfar, M.D., Ph.D.

  1. Cardiologist
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Departments

Specialty Groups

Location

  1. Rochester, Minnesota

Languages

English

Existing patients

Appointments

Atta Behfar, M.D., 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.

  1. Coronary artery disease
  2. Heart failure
  3. Transplant rejection
  1. Angiogram
  2. Biopsy
  3. Cardiac catheterization
  4. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
  5. Mechanical circulatory support device implantation
  • 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
  1. 2014
    Fellowship - Advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology fellowshipMayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education
  2. 2014
    SubSpec FellowAdvanced Heart Failure and Tra, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  3. 2013
    Clinical FellowshipMayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education
  4. 2013
    FellowCardiovascular Disease, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  5. 2011
    ResidentClinician Investigator, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  6. 2009
    Clinician Investigator - Internal Medicine/CardiologyMayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education
  7. 2009
    ResidentInternal Medicine, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  8. 2006
    MD/PhDMolecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Programs, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  9. 1998
    Undergraduate Studies - Bachelor of Science-Biochemistry (major), Mathematics (minor) Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Sigma Nu, Magna Cum LaudeMarquette University

Certifications

  1. 2016
    Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant CardiologyAmerican Board of Internal Medicine

Awards and honors

  1. 2025
    Match Day Commencement AddressMayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
  2. 2025
    Mayo Clinic Plastic Surgery Keynote AddressMayo Clinic
  3. 2024
    26th Oliver H. Beahrs Distinguished Surgical LectureUnited States Department of Defense
  4. 2024
    RAVE 2024 Entrepreneur of the YearRochester Area Economic Development, Inc (RAEDI)
  5. 2021
    2021 Minnesota Walleye Tank WinnerMayo Clinic Office of Entrepreneurship & University of MN Technology Commercialization
  6. 2017
    Distinguished Alumni AwardMayo Clinic Graduate School
  7. 2011
    Runner up Parmley PrizeAmerican College of Cardiology
  8. 2010
    Herman K. Gold Young Investigator's AwardAmerican College of Cardiology
  9. 2009
    Foundation Clinician InvestigatorGeneral Mills
  10. 2009
    Excellence in Research AwardMayo Clinic Rochester Departments
  11. 2005
    Presidential AwardAmerican Society of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
  12. 2003
    MSPT Research Services AwardNational Institutes of Health
  13. 1998
    Magna Cum Laude biochemistry with honorsMarquette University
  14. 1998
    Magna Cum Laude mathematics with honorsMarquette University
  15. 1997
    Silver award Howard Hughes Undergraduate Research
  16. 1996
    Undergraduate research awardHoward Hughes
  17. 1994
    Dean's list awarded every semester of academic careerMarquette University
  18. 1994
    First PlaceWisconsin Science and Engineering Fair

Professional memberships

  1. 2020
    LeadExtracellular vesicles interest group
  2. 2020
    Co-ChairACT/CAR-T Biomanufacturing Steering Committee
  3. 2019
    Co-ChairBiomaufacturing Taskforce
  4. 2019 - present
    Executive ChairMayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Medicine IMP
  5. 2018 - 2021
    Barswell Deputy Director for TranslationCenter for Regenerative Medicine
  6. 2018 - present
    Subcommittee MemberManufacturing Quality and Compliance Subcommittee - Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic Clinical Practice Committee, Mayo Clinic
  7. 2018 - present
    Co-DirectorDepartment Cardiovascular Diseases Innovation Biological Agents/ Drugs
  8. 2016 - present
    DirectorVan Cleve Cardiac Regenerative Medicine Program
  9. 2010 - present
    MemberAmerican Society of Gene and Cell Therapy
  10. 2009 - present
    MemberAmerican Heart Association
  11. 2009 - present
    MemberAmerican College of Cardiology
  12. 2007 - present
    MemberCardio-3 Research Advisory Board
  13. 2006 - present
    MemberAmerican College of Physicians
  14. 2002 - 2004
    MemberMedical Scientist Training Program Admissions Committee
  15. 1998 - present
    Alpha Sigma NuMarquette University
  16. 1998 - present
    Phi Beta KappaMarquette University
  17. 1998 - present
    MemberAmerican Medical Association
  18. 1998 - present
    MemberMinnesota Medical Association
  19. 1996 - 1998
    Undergraduate ScholarHoward Hughes Medical Society

Publications

Research activities

See a description of research activities.