Meet Junaid A. Zaman, MD, PhD

Dr. Zaman is a cardiologist at Keck Medicine of USC.

Here’s what you won’t find on his resume.

He dreamed of dinosaurs and outer space before turning to medicine.

“I wanted to be a paleontologist, then an astronaut, then a lawyer before seriously turning my thoughts to medicine as a career. I’m fascinated by the science of human biology and how it translates into clinical medicine.  The opportunity to apply that knowledge to help both my own patients and the wider population provides endless learning and career satisfaction.”

A TV character also influenced his career choice.

“Carter from the TV show ‘ER’ inspired me to become a doctor. He was a legend in that role and that series. Also, both my brothers being in medical school at that time made a career as a doctor seem a lot more real.”

He’s a dad who loves to read. 

“When I’m not working, I love spending quality time with my wife, Tasmin, and our daughter, Zara. I try to fit in some outdoor activities and exercise. I also enjoy reading — or listening to — nonfiction, popular science and biographies. When I get home in time, I love to read a Peppa Pig story to my daughter.”

Though nonfiction is his usual reading, his favorite book is a novel.

“My favorite book is the 1968 science fiction novel ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ by Arthur C. Clarke. No other piece of fiction has opened my mind as much ever since.”

Traveling across and beyond the globe tops his bucket list.

“My favorite destination so far has been the Maldives, and I would love to do more travel. Antarctica, the Amazon rainforest and the Sahara Desert all deeply fascinate me, and I want to visit all of them. I’d also love to go to space and see Earth from above.”

If he had to trade careers…

“If I had to trade careers with anyone, it would be with a skydiving instructor. I absolutely loved the skydives I have done and the sensation of freefalling. Teaching others how to do it seems like a perfect work-life balance!” 

Family influenced him greatly in the early years.

“My biggest role models growing up were my father and my siblings. My brothers are both doctors, one in the UK and the other in New Zealand, and they provided great examples for how to think, act and get into medical school. My dad, being a barrister, shared his love of books with me.”

The best advice he’s ever received came from his wife.

“My wife says, ‘If you can’t explain it in one sentence, then you haven’t understood it fully.’ This has always stuck with me, and it’s a high bar for anybody who has to communicate important information to others.”

Helping patients recover is the most rewarding part of his job.

“Being able to test abnormal heart rhythms in the electrophysiology lab and then using measured interventions like ablation to improve a patient’s quality of life is very rewarding. Hearing patients later say that they feel completely different and that they’re now able to live life more fully is music to my ears.”

He strives to be the doctor he’d want for himself.

“I imagine it is me sitting in that room waiting for the cardiologist to come in. I am sharing my most intimate and private information with this person. What would I want to see, hear and feel from that doctor? 

“This approach influences my bedside manner. I am empathetic, and I always listen closely to my patients. I give each patient my undivided attention, and I never rush them.”

The advancements he feels have impacted his field the most:

“In cardiac electrophysiology, the invention of the defibrillator has probably saved the most lives. In addition, a method of ablation called PFA, or pulsed field ablation, has made the procedure far safer and more accessible to more patients.”

His message to medical students:

“Cardiac electrophysiology is like another world that you never knew about. Come see it firsthand if you’re considering pursuing it as a specialty.”

The medical breakthrough he hopes to see:

“Within my lifetime, I hope we can improve heart function using stem cells to regrow damaged tissue.”

Academic medicine allows him to pursue multiple passions.

“I chose to practice at an academic medical center, such as Keck Medicine of USC, because of the opportunity to help make the breakthroughs of the future a reality through research. It’s vital to expand our knowledge and answer the questions that will move patient care forward. Plus, I love teaching, and that is the core principle of academic medicine.”

Keck Medicine has the skills for complex cases.

“We have the skills and experience to take on the most complex cases, and the collaboration between specialties enhances our patient care. I also appreciate the culture of optimism in cardiology and electrophysiology. We think outside the box and keep going until we succeed.”

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