Personnel

Director, NHLBI-funded T32 CVD Epidemiology Training Program
Professor of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh

Dr. Akira Sekikawa is Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh and Interim Director of the Ultrasound Research Laboratory. He is internationally recognized for his work in cardiovascular epidemiology, particularly in subclinical atherosclerosis, arterial stiffness, and cross-population studies comparing Japanese, Japanese Americans, and other racial/ethnic groups in the U.S.

After earning his MD from Tohoku University in Japan, Dr. Sekikawa practiced clinical medicine and later moved to the U.S. to pursue epidemiological research. He has led multiple NIH- and AHA-funded studies, including the ACE trial (R01 AG074971) on equol and vascular aging, SERA an ancillary to the ACE trial (R01 AG085566) and the IMMEA project (R01 HL169332) on metabolomics and cardiovascular disease in Japan. He also serves as PI of the T32 Cardiovascular Epidemiology Training Program, mentoring the next generation of scientists.

Dr. Sekikawa’s research integrates advanced ultrasound techniques to evaluate carotid intima-media thickness, carotid plaque and arterial stiffness. He has longstanding collaborations with institutions in Japan, Central Asia, and across the U.S., contributing significantly to understanding global cardiovascular health disparities.

Mindy Coccari serves as Associate Director of the Ultrasound Research Laboratory (URL) in the Department of Epidemiology. She oversees the day-to-day operations of the laboratory, including research activities, personnel, study implementation, data collection, quality assurance and quality control, and data management for single- and multi-center population-based studies and clinical trials. She brings more than 30 years of management experience and 12 years of experience in cardiovascular research. She earned her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2010.

Mrs. Coccari has extensive expertise in vascular ultrasound and the noninvasive assessment of subclinical cardiovascular disease, including carotid intima-media thickness, carotid plaque, arterial stiffness, and endothelial function. She is actively engaged in research protocol development and implementation, vascular data analysis and interpretation, and the dissemination of research findings through scientific presentations and peer-reviewed publications. She contributes as a co-author to research utilizing subclinical cardiovascular disease data generated by the URL and is developing independent research focused on vascular aging and subclinical atherosclerosis. Her research interests include arterial remodeling and vascular health across the lifespan, exceptional longevity, obesity, and women’s cardiovascular health.

Jody has an Associates Degree in diagnostic medical sonography.  She is a registered ultrasound technologist through the America Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). She worked at Sewickley Hospital for 11 years.

Melina serves as the Research Coordinator for the Ultrasound Research Lab (URL). She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, as well as a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies, from Coastal Carolina University. Her areas of interests include cognitive neuroscience and its relationship to cardiovascular health, women’s health, and health equity.