Chi-Fu Jeffrey Yang, MD, Principal Investigator
Dr. Chi-Fu Jeffrey Yang is a thoracic surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital, an Associate of Surgery at Harvard Medical School, and the Founding Director of the Center for Artificial Intelligence, Innovation Research, and Equity (CAIIRE). He practices all aspects of thoracic surgery, including procedures for conditions of the lung and mediastinum. He specializes in minimally invasive techniques.
Dr. Yang has received numerous awards, including recognition for exceptional accomplishment in both clinical care and in teaching. In 2021, he received the Harvard Medical School Charles McCabe Faculty Prize for Excellence in Teaching. Dr. Yang is a member of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery and the Society of University Surgeons.
Meghan McCarthy, BS
Clinical Research Coordinator
Meghan McCarthy is a research coordinator for the Wearables Study. She recently graduated from Villanova University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and biomedical ethics. Meghan has worked with Dr. Yang for over five years on various research projects and is from Massachusetts.
Meghan coordinates the Cardiothoracic Surgery arm of Wearables. Beyond this, she has a background in pediatric and geriatric neurodegenerative disease work, and aspires to become a neurologist. In all research, she is interested in the promotion of health equity and inclusion of medical artwork and/or graphic design. Outside of work, Meghan loves spending time at the beach, painting, or practicing yoga.
Aubrey Pope
Lead Research Assistant
Aubrey Pope joined the wearables team as a freshman undergraduate student. Since then she has become an integral part of the project, and leads our student team. Aubrey is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at Brigham Young University.
Her passion lies in advancing healthcare by deepening our understanding of society, integrating clinical expertise with sociological insights to create a more inclusive and effective healthcare system. Aubrey’s ultimate goal is to become a compassionate and skilled physician whom patients trust and feel at ease with. In her free time, Aubrey enjoys spending time outdoors with her friends and working on anything craft related. She is an avid Taylor Swift fan and knows how to juggle.
Gabriel Smock, BS
Clinical Research Coordinator
Gabe Smock is a clinical research coordinator for the Wearables Study. He is pursuing a major in history at Brigham Young University in addition to premed classes. Gabe has also worked with Dr. Yang for the past few months at his nonprofit lung cancer screening initiative.
Gabe worked as a medical assistant in a pediatric clinic for the past year and aspires to work in pediatrics after medical school. He also enjoys tennis, cooking, and long walks on the beach.
Alexandra Potter, BS
Clinical Research Coordinator
Alexandra Potter is a clinical research coordinator at Massachusetts General Hospital. Her research focuses on lung cancer screening and thoracic oncology.
Additionally, she is involved in efforts to increase awareness of and access to lung cancer screening. She currently serves as President of the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative, a 501c(3). Outside of work, Alex enjoys running.
Bryan Rettner, MD
Research Fellow
Dr. Rettner is from Stillwater, Minnesota, and attended the University of St. Thomas for his undergraduate degree before coming to the east coast for medical school at Drexel University. He is now in General Surgery residency and is interested in both thoracic and general surgical oncology, medical devices & technology, and end of life care for patients. Dr. Rettner coordinates the Surgical Expansion arm of Wearables.
Outside of the hospital, he enjoys running and is a huge soccer fan. He used to work as a cook and stays busy in the kitchen at home, and loves history and exploring fantasy genres.
Alexander Zhu, MD
Research Fellow
Dr. Zhu is from Norman, OK, and attended Duke University for his undergraduate and medical school coursework. He just finished his 3rd year of General Surgery Residency at UC San Diego and will be a Research Fellow in the Yang Lab from 2024 to 2026. He coordinates the Systemic Therapy arm of Wearables.
Dr. Zhu is interested in Thoracic surgery, particularly related to surgical outcomes, preventative health/screening, and minimally invasive techniques. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, swimming, running, and raising his new golden retriever puppy with his significant other, who is a current GI fellow at MGH.