Mark Pletcher, MD, MPH

As an epidemiologist and a general internal medicine physician, my research is designed to inform clinical decision-making and policy relevant to primary care and prevention. I focus on prevention of cardiovascular disease, and have particular interests in early life causes of atherosclerosis, prevention of coronary heart disease, clinical decision-making regarding use of preventive medications, screening for subclinical cardiovascular disease, interventions designed to improve blood pressure control, and use of technology to improve health. I also help lead our nationally-recognized clinical research training programs, teach clinical research methods, mentor students, fellows and junior faculty members, and direct the UCSF CTSI’s Informatics and Research Innovation Program. In 2023, I became Chair of the UCSF Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.