Thomas M. Vondriska, Ph.D.

Vondriska’s research focuses on how chromatin structure and gene regulation respond to environmental and mechanical stress in the heart. By integrating systems-level ‘omics approaches with experimental models, he studies how epigenetic features — such as chromatin accessibility, histone modifications and nuclear architecture — control gene expression programs that drive cardiac remodeling and disease progression.

His work has uncovered fundamental principles of chromatin biology that operate across cell types and species, including how structural proteins within the nucleus regulate genome organization and respond to external signals. Vondriska identified roles for chromatin-associated proteins in linking extracellular cues to changes in gene expression and cellular behavior, particularly in the context of fibrosis and myofibroblast activation. In parallel, he has developed computational and experimental tools to study epigenomic changes in both animal models and human tissues, contributing to a growing clinical epigenomics program aimed at understanding patient-specific disease mechanisms.

By connecting genetic variation, environmental influences and epigenomic regulation, his research seeks to advance precision approaches to cardiovascular disease and enable the development of targeted therapies for complex conditions like heart failure.