John Giacona, Ph.D., PA-C, is an Assistant Professor in the Applied Clinical Research Department at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He holds a secondary appointment in the Department of Internal Medicine. He is a board-certified Physician Assistant and certified Hypertension Specialist practicing at the Clinical Heart and Vascular Center as a member of the Hypertension Section in the Division of Cardiology.

Dr. Giacona holds a bachelor of science and arts degree in biology from the University of Texas at Austin. He received his master of physician assistant studies degree and doctor of philosophy degree from UT Southwestern Medical Center.

His research interests include the influence of nutrition and exercise on the autonomic control of blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein metabolism, and skeletal muscle mitochondrial function. In addition to being active in clinical research, he also provides teaching services for the Department of Physician Assistant Studies by leading the cardiovascular and endocrinology clinical medicine sections of the didactic curriculum.

Dr. Giacona currently serves as a board member for the Academy of Physician Associates in Cardiology as Chair of Preventive Cardiology, and is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the American College of Cardiology, and the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants. He also serves as a member on the American Heart Association's Hypertension Professional/Public Education & Publications Committee for the Council on Hypertension.