VBC News

Yusra Zaidi, postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Brian Stansfield’s lab, received the Postdoctoral Fellow Poster Award at the 3^rd Annual Savannah River Eye Meeting held March 13, 2024 for project title “Loss of Neurofibromin facilitates pathological retinal neovascularization (RNV) via Akt-2 facilitated GLUT-1 translocation”

The Graduate School 2024 Outstanding Faculty Award

2024 FS awards

Dr. David Fulton received The Graduate School 2024 Outstanding Faculty Award during the annual awards ceremony on April 2nd. This award honors a graduate faculty member who has demonstrated exceptional, long-term commitment to Augusta University and The Graduate School, and this is the highest honor that the graduate faculty may bestow.

Since joining the Vascular Biology Center in 2002, Dr. Fulton has served on 56 graduate student thesis committees and mentored 13 students, 8 of whom have graduated, with 5 currently under his guidance.

Dr. Fulton, we are grateful for your dedication to the VBC and training future researchers. Many congratulations!

38^th Annual Graduate Research Day events held March 7 & 8, 2024.

Excellent research and presentations by all!

Post-Doctoral Oral Presentations

Qian Ma, PhD

Qian Ma, PhD

presented “De novo nucleotide synthesis is necessary for DNA damage and repair in atheroprone endothelial cells”
Advisor: Yuqing Huo

Sheela Nagarkoti, PhD

Sheela Nagarkoti, PhD

presented “Excess Glycolysis Limits VEGF-induced VEGFR2 activation and angiogenesis via Cysteine oxidation of VEGFR2”
Advisor: Masuko Ushio-Fukai and Tohru Fukai

Yoichi Ono, MD, PhD presented “Role of the Long form Leptin Receptor (Ob-Rb) in Aldosterone Synthase (AS) Expressing Cells in the Control of Cardiovascular Function in Female Mice”
Advisor: Eric Belin de Chantemele

Varsha Tandra, PhD,

Varsha Tandra, PhD

presented “Regulation of UFM1 modification from ER dynamics to cardiac homeostasis”
Advisor: Jie Li

Mai Yamamoto, PhD

Mai Yamamoto, PhD

presented “Novel Role of Copper Uptake Transporter CTR1 in Retinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury”
Advisor: Masuko Ushio-Fukai and Tohru Fukai

Shikha Yadav, PhD

Shikha Yadav, PhD

presented “Macrophage Drp1 as a novel redox sensor driving revascularization of ischemic muscle”
Advisor: Masuko Ushio-Fukai and Tohru Fukai

Yusra Zaidi, PhD

Yusra Zaidi, PhD

presented “Loss of Neurofibromin facilitates pathological retinal neovascularization (RNV) via Akt-2 facilitated GLUT-1 translocation”
Advisor: Brian Stansfield

CSRA AHA Heart ball 2024

CSRA AHA Heart Ball held February 9th at Augusta Marriott Convention Center

The Heart Ball celebrates the American Heart Association’s year-round fund raising efforts and educating the community by honoring the volunteers and patrons.

	AHA Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Abstract Travel Grant Awardees American Heart Association Scientific Sessions held November 11-13 at Philadelphia, PA Varsha Tandra, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow Mentor: Jie Li Abstract: Deciphering the cardioprotective role of UFM1 modification in cardiac remodeling Josue Zambrano-Carrasco, PhD student in Vascular Biology Mentor: Huabo Su Abstract: RBX1-CRLs Are Essential for Perinatal Heart Development by Regulating Hippo-YAP Signaling
	VBC wins 1st place in Annual Open Paws Food Drive Second year in a row, VBC WINS! 1^st place in the 2^nd annual “Win the Feud, Give Some Food” food drive to support the AU’s Open Paws Pantry, held October 23–27. The competitive spirit runs high between fellow Biomedical Sciences graduate programs. We congratulate everyone for supporting such a worthy cause. What is Open Paws Pantry? One of many resources available to AU students in need which provides not only food but non-food items such as toiletries, cleaning supplies, and school supplies.
	AHA Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Abstract Travel Grant Awardees American Heart Association Scientific Sessions held November 11-13 at Philadelphia, PA Varsha Tandra, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow Mentor: Jie Li Abstract: Deciphering the cardioprotective role of UFM1 modification in cardiac remodeling Josue Zambrano-Carrasco, PhD student in Vascular Biology Mentor: Huabo Su Abstract: RBX1-CRLs Are Essential for Perinatal Heart Development by Regulating Hippo-YAP Signaling
	Congratulations! Dr. Gabor Csanyi Dr. Csanyi received the 2023 AURI Distinguished Scientist Award
	Journal Club presentation awardees for 2022-2023 Certificate of Excellence in Recognition of Best Presentation by PhD Candidate, Hunter Sellers Best Presentation by Graduate Student, Maria Blahove Best Presentation by International Graduate Student, Suhib Alhusban Excellent Work! Hunter, Maria, and Suhib.
	GRA Student Scholars 2023 Fourteen undergraduate students from Georgia spent their summer working alongside some of the most accomplished scientists in their fields. Three of those have been working in Dr. Neal Weintraub's lab. Montanta Cagle, McCalyster Turner and Quinkivia Williams all from Paine College. “My internship experience was amazing,” reports Quinkivia Williams, a Paine College student who joined the lab of GRA Eminent Scholar Neal Weintraub at Augusta University. “While putting together presentations, I learned how important it is for engagement with the community to help reduce cancer disparities in different races.” Read more
	May 25-28, 2023 \| The 17th Oriental Congress of Cardiology The 17^th Oriental Congress of Cardiology (OCC) 2023 held in Shanghai, China, Dr. Xiaochun Long and Dr. Joseph Miano were honored to be invited to attend the conference and share their research. (middle) Xiaochun Long presented her work on “The Interplay Between Coding and Noncoding Genes in Vascular Smooth Muscle Phenotype and Disease” (right) Joe Miano presented “Emerging Models of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell-Restricted Gene Expression”
	May 2023 \| Congratulations to the Intramural Grants Program (IGP) Awardees Wei Zhang, PhD Project title: Elucidation of the in vivo function of DDX21 in proliferative vasculopathy Alexander Verin, PhD Project title: EXAM-mediated mechanisms of lung injury in HFpEF
	March 16-17, 2023 \|38^th Graduate Research Day Events Reem Atawia, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow who is mentored by Dr. Eric Belin de Chantemele, awarded 2^nd place for Excellence in Research (poster presentation) Candee Barris, a candidate for PhD in Vascular Biology who is mentored by Dr. Eric Belin de Chantemele, received the Virendra B. Mahesh Award (poster presentation) for “Ovarian-derived sex hormones do not mediate the sex-specific mechanism of hypertension in obese mice” Zsuzsanna Bordan, a candidate for PhD in Vascular Biology who is mentored by Dr. David Fulton, awarded Research Excellence in Vascular Biology by a graduate student for “PDZ Binding Kinase, a Novel Regulator of Vascular Remodeling in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension” (poster presentation) Josue Zambrano-Carrasco, Student for PhD in Vascular Biology who is mentored by Dr. Huabo Su, awarded the Ji Chen Memorial Award for Excellence in Biomedical Research by a graduate student in the early years of training for “An indispensable role of RBX1 in heart development“ (poster presentation) We are proud of our students, trainees and faculty
	April 20-23, 2023 \| American Physiology Summit (APS) held in Long Beach, CA Reem Atawia, PhD, was awarded the APS-Cardiovascular Section “Outstanding Trainee Award” Award description Eric Belin de Chantemele, PhD, received the inaugural award for “The APS Charles Bates Research Award” Award description

	Making veins stronger so heart bypass grafts, dialysis access work better
	Dr. Belin de Chantemele, Candee Barris and Dr. Janis Coffin speak about salt sensitive blood pressure on WRDW news Channel 12.
	Vascular Biology Center takes 1^st place during the five day competition “Win the Feud, Give Some Food” with the largest amount of items donated to the Open Paws Pantry (October 3-7, 2022). Donations directly benefit AU students. The Open Paws Pantry is FREE to all students. All food and non-food items are accepted but many of the needs are grab-and-go food, toiletries, and microwavable food items. Open Paws Pantry Flyer Front: Candee Barris, Karl Diaz-Sanders, Brand Goo, Zsuzsanna Bordan, Josue Zambrano-Carrasco Middle: Maria Blahove, Cody Rosewater, Zach Brown, Tayler Kress, Suhib Alhusban Back: David Kim, Steve Haigh, Drew Speese
	MCG scientists find new target in fight against heart disease December 30, 2022WJBF.com \| News Channel 6 AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States…and in the CSRA. Scientists at MCG have discovered a new target in the treatment of the incurable disease. And regulating that target could save hundreds of thousands of lives each year. Coronary artery disease- the most common type of heart disease- occurs when cholesterol and fat block the passage of blood flow to your heart. Scientists at MCG have found that the smooth muscle cells that give those blood vessels strength respond by getting bigger and multiplying. Unfortunately, this further contributes to the disease. Continue Reading
	.The NIH-funded, highly competitive T32 training grant currently supports the PhD work of four graduate students: Candee Barris, Drew Speese, Katie Anne Fopiano and Karl Diaz-Sanders. Prestigious NIH grant supports Augusta University student researchers
	AU Days of Service Team VBC, lead by Captain, Candee Barris, joins Augusta University Annual Days of Service to raise money for the final event held Nov 12^th at SRP Park in North Augusta, CSRA Walk for Water Every day, millions of women and children in developing countries walk nearly 4 miles to retrieve water for their family’s daily needs. In most cases, even after walking for miles and miles, the water they have to drink is contaminated. Our walk will simulate this trek to raise awareness of the global water crisis here in our community. Each participant will start the walk with an empty bucket. About halfway through, they will fill that bucket with water and complete the remainder of the course. We hope that all participants end the walk with a better understanding of the daily challenges people around the world face in search of something that we often take for granted – water. The CSRA Walk for Water 2022 will bring together teams of participants from both sides of the Savannah River and all walks of life as we boldly battle the global water crisis, which affects 2.1 billion people around the world. Together, we can make a real difference by bringing safe water to people in need. Left to right - Eric Belin de Chantemele, Brandee Goo, Karyl Holliday, Drew Speese, Gabor Csayni Left to right- Brandee Goo, Eric Belin de Chantemele, Drew Speese, Gabor Csanyi, an event organizer, Karyl Holiday
	Excellent Work! Graduate student, Maria Blahove who is mentored by Dr. Gabor Csanyi, received The Anthony Shuker Scientific Poster Award at the Center for Global Health Innovation (CGHI) Bio Innovation Summit held October 11^th in Atlanta, GA. Maria’s project is a collaboration between Gabor Csanyi, PhD and Brian Stansfield, MD.
	Karl Diaz-Sanders featured for National Hispanic Heritage Month Graduate Student, Karl Diaz-Sanders (Sullivan lab) is featured on The Graduate School Facebook and Instagram during National Hispanic Heritage Month. "Karl Diaz-Sanders is a second year PhD student here at AU! He is working toward a Doctorate in Vascular Biology. When he isn't in his lab, he loves playing the drums! Karl is most proud of his recent talk he gave at a conference where he was able to highlight his research (as a first year PhD student!) He chose AU because of the holistic approach to wellness, specifically the economic wellness provided by affordable tuition and the educational wellness provided by the great faculty. Karl's favorite resource for grads is the Center for Writing Excellence, which offers one-on-one writing support. Karl is excited to be featured during National Hispanic Heritage Month because he wants to be a representations of the values within the Chicano community in healthcare! He ultimately hopes to work in immunology with the National Institute for Health." - Instagram Post from the Graduate School.
	Welcome to the VBC! We are pleased to announce that Dr. Benard Ogola joined our faculty as Assistant Professor on June 1, 2022. Dr. Ogola received his PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy in Amarillo, Texas. His research interest is focused on understanding the role of sex chromosomes contribution to cardiovascular disease including arterial stiffening. We look forward to learning more of his research investigating the interplay of sex hormones and chromosomes and their impact on vascular function to identify novel targets for hormone therapy in cardiovascular disease. Take a moment to visit Dr. Ogola in his lab CB-3205. He may have a box you can unpack.
	Congratulations to our 2022 Graduates! Kareem Abdelsaid, mentored by Dr. Tohru Fukai and Dr. Masuko Ushio-Fukai, successfully defended his thesis entitled “Cu Transporter ATP7A and Extracellular SOD Function in Adaptive Angiogenesis and Regeneration of Skeletal Muscles in Response to Exercise or Injury: Role of Exosomes”. Dr. Abdelsaid is now a postdoctoral fellow at The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Caleb Padgett, mentored by Dr. David Stepp, successfully defended his thesis entitled “The Roles of Circadian Disruption and Reactive Oxygen Species Overproduction in the Development of Obesity-Associated Cardiovascular Disease”. Dr. Padgett will now pursue an MD beginning Fall semester at The Medical College of Georgia. Great results from hard work. Well done!
	Welcome, New Graduate Students! Maria Blahove, Zach Brown, Cody Rosewater, Mitch Shivers, Josue Zambrano-Carrasco Front Row: Josue Zambrano-Carrasco, Dr. David Stepp, Maria Blahove, Dr. Huabo Su, Mitch Shivers Back Row: Zach Brown, Dr. David Fulton, Dr. Gabor Csanyi, Cody Rosewater
	Excellent News! Dr. Masuko Ushio-Fukai was select for the MCG Distingished Faculty Award for Basic Science Research. The MCG Faculty awards ceremony was held Thursday, May 26th. Her lab is focused on elucidating the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially H2O2, derived from NADPH oxidase and mitochondria as a signaling molecule to activate redox signaling involved in angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel formation, which is required for wound repair and treatment of ischemic heart and limb disease. Understanding redox signaling and biology will lead to development of new therapeutic strategies for treating patients with ischemic cardiovascular disease. Congratulations!
	Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology and The American Heart Association Investigator in Training Award Postdoctoral fellow Qian Ma, Dr. Yuqing Huo's lab, was selected to receive ATVB Investigators In Training Award at the Vascular Discovery: From Genes to Medicine 2022 Scientific Sessions held in Seattle, WA May 12-14, 2022. Congratulations Dr. Ma!
	American Heart Association Cardio-Oncology Strategically Focused Research Network A prestigious group gathered on our campus for the American Heart Association Cardio-Oncology Strategically Focused Research Network Semiannual Meeting. It was last summer when the AHA announced this new network on disparities in cardio-oncology that is pursuing the intersection of heart disease and cancer, common conditions that share common risks like obesity and chronic inflammation, with the goal of better understanding the dynamics and how to better identify and address this intersection which disproportionately affects underrepresented populations. MCG, Boston University School of Medicine, the Medical College of Wisconsin and the University of Pennsylvania are the institutions selected for this important initiative.
	CSRA AHA Heart Ball In more than 150 communities across the country, Heart Ball supporters unite with a shared purpose to raise the critical funds we need to ensure our work continues. Throughout our campaign we celebrate our milestones, we thank our sponsors and we honor our heroes. We come together to achieve something bigger than ourselves.
	Kudos Experimental Biology 2022 Awardees APS Cardiovascular Section Clinical Science Young Investigator Award – Reem Atawia APS Cardiovascular Section Outstanding Postdoctoral Trainee Finalist – Benard Ogola APS Cardiovascular Section Research Recognition Award – Caleb Padgett
	February 4, 2022 is the Annual American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Day to increase women’s heart health awareness. Most heart disease and stroke deaths are preventable, cardiovascular diseases continue to be a woman’s greatest health threat.

AU Days of Service - 2021

Team VBC, lead by Captain, Candee Barris, joins Augusta University Annual Days of Service to raise money for the final event held Nov 6^th at SRP Park in North Augusta, Walk to End Alzheimer’s

An estimated 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia. In the United States alone, more than 6 million have Alzheimer’s, and over 11 million are providing unpaid care. The Association addresses this crisis by providing education and support to the millions who face dementia every day, while advancing critical research toward methods of treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure.

VBC Walk to end Alzheimers

Team VBC left to right - FRONT: Laszlo Kovacs, Candee Barris, Brandee Goo, unknown.

BACK: Taylor Kress, Anita Kovacs-Kasa, Jessica Faulkner, Eric Belin de Chantemele, Manuela Bartoli, Gabor Csanyi

Belin de Chantemele

Congratulations Dr. Eric Belin de Chantemèle!

Dr. Belin de Chantemele received the 2021 AURI Outstanding Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Award.

Dr. Eric Belin de Chantemele

Congratulations Dr. Eric Belin de Chantemèle!

Dr. Belin de Chantemèle is to Present the Henry Pickering Bowditch Award Lecture during the Experimental Biology 2021 Conference held April 27-30.

This award honors early-career achievement in physiology and is given to an APS member younger than 42 or who is fewer than eight years from the start of the first faculty or staff research scientist position beyond postdoctoral training. Dr. Belin de Chantemèle’s lecture is Obesity-Associate Cardiovascular Disease: The exposed Secret of the Sexes.

GRD 2021 awards

(left to right) Qiuhua Yang, Taylor Kress, Caleb Padgett, Candee Barris, Reem Atawia & Robert Batori

Drs. Stepp and Padgett 2021 awards

Dr. David Stepp & Caleb Padgett

36th Annual Graduate Research Day

Ji Cheng Memorial & Phi Kappa Phi Award for Excellence in Research by a Biomedical Sciences student in the early years of training
– Candee Barris

The Graduate School Award for Excellence in Research by a Graduate Student – Taylor Kress

Program & Discipline Award for Excellence in Research – Vascular Biology – Caleb Padgett

Award for Excellence in Research by a Postdoctoral Fellow (poster)
- 2nd place – Robert Batori
- 3rd place – Qiuhua Yang

Award for Excellence in Research by a Postdoctoral Fellow (oral)
- 1st place – Reem Atawia

AMERICAN HEART ASSOC. PREDOCTORAL & POSTDOCTORAL AWARDEES:

Predoctoral Fellow Awardees: Taylor Kress

Postdoctoral Fellow Awardees: Qiuhua Yang, and Reem Atawia

(l to r) Dr. Eric Belin de Chantemele with students Taylor Kress, Candee Barris, & Postdoctoral Fellow Reem Atawia

Postdoctoral fellow Robert Batori & Dr. David Fulton

Dr. Rudolf Lucas

Congratulations to Rudolf Lucas!

Rudolf Lucas, PhD received an Intramural Grants Program (IGP) award for his project entitled: Restoration of ENaC Blunts SARS-CoV2S Protein-Induced Lung Endothelial Dysfunction

Congratulations to Dr. Lucas and his team!

Caleb Padgett

Congrats to Vascular Biology PhD candidate, Caleb Padgett

PhD Student Brings Joy to Patients in the Georgia Cancer Center

	Congratulations to Rudolf Lucas! Rudolf Lucas, PhD received an Intramural Grants Program (IGP) award for his project entitled: Restoration of ENaC Blunts SARS-CoV2S Protein-Induced Lung Endothelial Dysfunction Congratulations to Dr. Lucas and his team!
	Congrats to Vascular Biology PhD candidate, Caleb Padgett PhD Student Brings Joy to Patients in the Georgia Cancer Center
	Congratulations to Dr. Yuqing Huo! Dr. Huo was awarded the 2020 AURI Distinguished Researcher Award. Research interests Examination of metabolic effect on leukocyte recruitment and activation fibroblast activation activation and proliferation of vascular cells in animal models of atherosclerosis thrombosis diabetes/obesity pulmonary hypertension retinopathy cardiac hypertrophy renal fibrosis
	Congratulations! Ruth B. Caldwell, PhD received the 2020 AURI Research Lifetime Achievement Award. Research Interests Mechanisms that control microvascular growth and permeability barrier function Mechanisms that regulate the expression and signal transduction functions of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and PEDF (pigment epithelial derived factor).
	Congratulations to MCG Faculty Senate Awardees, Drs. Yuqing Huo & David Stepp! Yuqing Huo, MD, PhD, Professor of Cellular Biology and Anatomy received the 2020 Basic Science Research Award David Stepp, PhD, Professor of Physiology received the Outstanding Faculty Award
	Congratulations! Dr. Reem Atawia, Postdoctoral Fellow in Dr. Belin de Chantemele’s lab has been awarded a one year Postdoctoral Fellowship from the American Physiological Society (APS) “Perivascular Adipose Tissue Regulates Endothelial Function And Glucose Disposal Via Leptin-Control Of the endothelial PFKFB3-Nox1 pathway”
	Congratulations! Jie Li, PhD Assistant Professor Jr Faculty Award 1st Place Oral Presentation "Ubiquitin-fold modifier 1 (Ufm1), a small protein modifier with big impact on pathological cardiac remodeling" Academy of Cardiovascular Research Excellence (ACRE) Acta Pharmacologica Sinica (APS) Research Symposium 2020
	Congratulations! Eric Belin de Chantmele, PhD Associate Professor RO1 Score of 2 percentile!! "Ubiquitin-fold modifier 1 (Ufm1), a small protein modifier with big impact on pathological cardiac remodeling"
	AHA Postdoctoral Fellowship Award Begins January 2020 Robert Batori, PhD Mentor: David Fulton, PhD "Novel roles of PFKFB3 in mediating nitric oxide syntheses and endothelial dysfunction in obesity"

	ATVB Travel Award for Basic Science Abstracts Oral Presentation 2019 AHA Scientific Sessions in Philadelphia. Huiping Lin Mentor: Gábor Csányi, PhD "Receptor-independent Ldl Macropinocytosis By Macrophages Contributes To The Pathogenesis Of Atherosclerosis"
	Top score in Best Poster Award at AHA 2019 Archita Das Mentors: Drs. Masuko and Tohru Fukai “Cu Importer CTR1 is a Redox Sensor That Promotes VEGFR2 Signaling and Angiogenesis”.
	Intramural Grants Program Award (IGP) The purpose of the IGP is to assist Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University faculty members in competing successfully for major research funding from external sponsors. This award is administered through the Division of Sponsored Program Administration on behalf of the Office of Vice President for Research. After a rigorous application review, this year VBC has racked up the awards! Huabo Su "Novel Post-Translational Mechanisms Regulating Mitochondrial Homeostasis in the Adult Heart." Eric Belin de Chantemele, Jennifer Sullivan & Wendy Bollag "The Role of Aldosterone in High Fat Diet-Induced Hypertension in Males and Females. Neal Weintraub & Lufei Young "Investigator-Initiated Pilot Study to Evaluate Preclinical Effects of Nicotinamide Riboside in Patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm."
	Brian Stansfield Featured on WJBF Watch the News Report on WJBF
	2019 Stephanie Watts Career Development Award Finalist Thiago Bruder do Nascimento, PhD As a finalist, Dr. Bruder do Nascimento will be attending the AHA Hypertension 2019 Scientific Sessions in New Orleans, LA in September to compete for this coveted award. The Stephanie Watts Career Development Award was established to honor the advocacy work of Dr. Stephanie Watts, an active member of the Council on Hypertension, who has always advocated for the needs of the many trainees associated with the Council.
	NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99) Bhupesh Singla, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow Lab: Gabor Csanyi, PhD Submission Title: Regulation of Lymphangiogenesis by Thrombospondin 1 The purpose of this program is to increase and maintain a strong cohort of new and talented, NIH-supported, independent investigators. This program is designed to facilitate a timely transition of outstanding postdoctoral researchers or clinician-scientists from mentored research positions to independent, tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions, and to provide independent NIH research support during the transition that will help these individuals launch competitive, independent research careers.
	VBC 2019 PHD Awardees Alec Davila, MD/PhD Thesis Defense “Microvascular dysfunction in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction” Mentor, Zolt Bag, PhD Aluya Oseghale, PhD Thesis defense “Therapeutic reactivation of fetal hemoglobin in sickle cell disease: development of a novel prodrug AN-233” Mentor, Betty Pace, PhD Xueyi “Shirley” Li, PhD Thesis defense “Dissecting the Roles of Galectin-3 in pulmonary hypertension” Mentor, David Fulton, PhD
	Vascular Biology Students Have Major Showing at Graduate Research Day Awards Ceremony (Top row L-R) Esraa Sosha won 2nd prize in the "postdoctoral poster presentations". Jessica Faulkner won 2nd prize in the "postdoctoral oral presentations". Aluya Oseghale won the "Award for Excellence in Research" – Vascular Biology. Dipankar Ash won 1st prize in the "postdoctoral poster presentations". Kareem Abdelsaid and Alec Davila won the "Graduate School Award for Excellence in Research by a Graduate Student". (Bottom row L-R) Zsuszanna Bordan won the "Ji Cheng Memorial Award for Excellence in Research by a biomedical sciences student in the early years of training". Thiago Bruder do Nascimento won 3rd prize in the "postdoctoral oral presentations". Graduate Research Day 2019 Winners
	ATVB Conference Finalist for the Junior Investigator Award for Women. Huiping Lin Mentor: Gábor Csányi, PhD
	Peptide May Protect Kidneys From Ourselves Dr Lucas and Team have research featured READ NEWS FROM TECHNOLOGY NETWORKS
	Dr. Brian Stansfield Elected President of the Southern Society for Pediatric Research Read the Article in JAGWIRE

	Winner of the American Heart Association - Council on Hypertension 2018 Onsite Trainee Poster Award Thiago Bruder do Nascimento, Postdoctoral Fellow Mentor: Eric Belin de Chantemele, PhD "Leptin Supplementation Restores Endothelial Function And Vascular Adrenergic Tone Via Direct Endothelial Mechanisms And Sympato-activation, Respectively, In A Mouse Model Of Congenital Lipodystrophy"
	American Heart Summer 2018 Predoc Award Winner Alec Davila, MD/PhD Candidate
	Winner of the "National Institutes of Health (NIH) F31 Fellowship Award" Steve Haigh, Graduate Student Mentor: David Fulton, PhD Project Title: The hypoxia inducible factor: Galectin 3 signaling axis in pulmonary hypertension
	American Heart Summer 2018 Predoc Award Winner Huiping Lin, PhD Candidate Menor: Gábor Csányi, PhD ATVB Travel Award for Young Investigators
	New Target Could Help Protect Vision Following Optic Nerve Trauma. Dr. Abdelrahman Y. Fouda, Dr. Ruth B. Caldwell and research associate Zhimin Xu's work featured in Jagwire. Read more in Jagwire
	Drs. Eric Belin de Chantemele and Jessica Faulkner featured in Jagwire and on WJBF Read more in Jagwire Watch on WJBF news
	Congratulations Dr. Rudolf Lucas of the Vascular Biology Center Recipient of the 2018 Distinguished Researcher Award.
	Congratulations Dr. Gabor Csanyi of the Vascular Biology Center Recipient of the 2018 Emerging Scientist Award.
	Getting leptin levels “just right” may provide cardiovascular protection Drs. Thiago Bruder do Nascimento and Eric Belin de Chantemele featured in Jagwire, Read more in Jagwire
	Dr. Ruth Caldwell receives RO1 National Institute of Health Research Project Grant (R01) Award Congratulations Dr. Caldwell
	Sex Differences in Mechanisms of Hypertension Associated with Obesity Eric Belin de Chantemele, PhD interviewed at Joint Hypertension 2018 Scientific Sessions - AHA Council on Hypertension \| AHA Council on Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease American Society of Hypertension See the interview (Friday Sept 7, 2018)
	New Target is an Apparent Triple Threat to Pneumonia Dr. Rudolf Lucas of the VBC featured on WJBF News. See the TV News Interview Read more in Jagwire
	New Pulmonary Hypertension Treatment Target in the Bull's-eye Dr. Yunchao Su and Dr. Yuqing Huo of the VBC featured. Read the feature on Medical Xpress
	Scientists work to protect obese, younger women from cardiovascular risk Dr. Eric Belin de Chantemele and Dr. Jessica Faulkner, postdoctoral fellow, featured in Jagwire Read more on Jagwire
	Just one high-fat meal sets the perfect stage for heart disease Dr. Neal L. Weintraub, Dr. Julia E. Brittain and doctoral Student Tyler W. Benson in Jagwire. Read the Jagwire feature
	The VBC Congratulates our 2018 Ph.D. Award Recipients! Jian Peng “JP” Teoh, PhD Thesis: “ß-adrenergic receptor/ß-arrestin-mediated microRNA maturation regulatory network: A new player in cardioprotective signaling.” Mentor: Dr. Il-man Kim ------- Huijuan “Emily” Dou, PhD Thesis: “ADAM17 and age-related vascular dysfunction” Mentor: Dr. Zsolt Bagi ------ Esraa Shosha, PhD with Distinction Thesis: “Neurovascular Degeneration Following Retinal Ischemia Reperfusion Injury: Role of Arginase 2” Mentor: Dr. Ruth Caldwell
	VBC's Dr. Romero-Lucas Receives Award Maritza Romero-Lucas, MD, D. Sc, of the VBC, receives Pilot Study Research Program (PSRP) Award!
	American Heart Postdoc Award Winner Anita Kovacs-Kasa, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow Project: "HDAC7 in MLCP-mediated endothelial barrier preservation" Sponsor: Dr. Alexander Verin
	American Heart Postdoc Award Winner Taysuya Aonuma, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow Project: "The axis of long noncoding RNA MIAT and microRNA-150 in acute myocardial infarction" Sponsor: Il-man Kim

	Copper excess in diabetes hinders our ability to make healthy blood vessels Drs. Masuko Ushio-Fukai and Tohru Fukai of the VBC featured in Jagwire Read more about the research on jagwire
	New target emerging for treating diabetes-related blood vessel damage Dr. Masuko Ushio-Fukai featured in Jagwire Read more about Dr. Ushio-Fukai's research
	Too little fat is bad for cardiovascular health and leptin therapy may help Grant by Dr. Bruder do Nascimento and Dr. Belin de Chantemele featured in Jagwire. Read more about their research
	Likely new treatment target identified for Diabetic Retinopathy Dr. Yuqing Huo and Dr. Zhiping Liu of VBC featured Read about it in JagWire
	American Society of Hematology 2017 Minority Graduate Student Abstract Achievement Award Aluya Oseghale "Novel conjugates of butyrate and δ-aminolevulinate increase γ-globin gene expression and fetal hemoglobin synthesis in erythroid progenitors" Mentor: Petty Pace
	BCVS Minority Travel Award recipient Rodney Littlejohn, MD, PhD Student in Huabo Su’s lab received the 2017 BCVS Minority Travel Award at the AHA Scientific Session 2017 (11/11-15 in Anaheim, CA) - Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences (BCVS)