Fellow Spotlight: Richard Baylis, MD, PhD

Richard “Ricky” Baylis, MD, PhD, was born in Santa Cruz and raised in Cincinnati. While studying biomedical engineering at Ohio State, he worked in a cancer lab led by a physician-scientist, inspiring him to follow a similar path and apply to MD/PhD programs.

Dr. Baylis earned his medical degree and doctoral degree in biochemistry and molecular genetics at the University of Virginia. He worked in the lab of Gary Owens, PhD, studying plaques that form within arteries and lead to heart attacks and strokes. Using cellular lineage tracing models, he investigated cells in the fibrous cap, a natural barrier that attempts to stabilize plaques, focusing on the role of inflammation and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. As a visiting instructor at Stanford University in the lab of Nick Leeper, MD, he studied interactions between cancer and cardiovascular disease, continuing these efforts while completing internal medicine residency at Massachusetts General Hospital.

“As an aspiring physician-scientist, I looked for a fellowship that would provide exceptional training in both clinical cardiology and scientific research,” said Dr. Baylis. “UCSF was a perfect match.” He is interested in cardio-oncology, a field that has grown rapidly at UCSF.

Dr. Baylis is married to Molly Kelly-Goss, MD, PhD, a first-year UCSF gastroenterology fellow. They enjoy hiking, experimenting in the kitchen, and exploring the Bay Area’s vibrant culinary scene.