People

samlab Flora Sam, MD, FACC, FAHA, FHFSA

My name is Flora Sam. I am an advanced heart failure cardiologist and physician-scientist investigator. My research is driven by clinical questions and taken back to the lab (bedside to bench).

Professor of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine
Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute
Cardiovascular Section / Cardiomyopathy Program
Boston University Medical Center

samlab María Valero Muñoz, PhD

Hi, my name is Maria. After obtained my PhD in Madrid, Spain, I came to Boston in 2014 to pursue my postdoctoral degree in the Sam lab and I recently obtained my Assistant Professor of Medicine appointment at BU. My research focuses is investigating the cross-talk between the heart and the adipose tissue during pathogenic conditions such as obesity or heart failure. Outside the lab, I like reading and cooking. I also love traveling and spending time with my family and friends.

samlab Ross Okazaki, MD

My name is Ross and I’m from Aiea, Hawaii. I moved to Boston in 2009, and I received both my B.S. in Human Physiology and M.D. from Boston University. This year I’ll be on my second year of Internal Medicine Residency at Boston Medical Center. In my spare time, you can find me at the climbing gym, out riding my bike, or at home being nerdy about cooking while enjoying a local brew.

samlab Eugene Saw, PhD

My name is Eugene and I am originally from Malaysia. I completed my PhD study in New Zealand in 2020 and I am currently doing my post-doctoral training in the Sam lab. My research interest primarily lies in the area of cardiovascular disease, particularly the underlying mechanism driving the disease. Outside the laboratory, I enjoy traveling, hiking, photography and cooking.

samlab Louis Werner, MS

Hi, my name is Louis. I’m originally from France and I received my B.A. in medical sciences from Oxford University in 2016. I’m currently working on my master’s in medical sciences here at BU. My main research interests are in cardiovascular dysfunction. In my free time I particularly enjoy hiking outdoors and rock climbing though you can also often find me relaxing indoors in front of a good movie.

samlab Hannah Cooper

Hi, my name is Hannah Cooper, and I am originally from upstate New York. I graduated from Clark University in 2020 with a bachelors in Biology, where I studied the seed dispersal patterns of ants in Arizona. I am really excited to be working in the cardiovascular and medical research world! Outside of the laboratory, you can find me volunteering, cooking/ baking, traveling, or spending time outside with family and friends.

Past lab members: