Vascular Biology Center News

David Kim successfully defended his PhD thesis entitled “Identification of human-specific novel long non-coding RNA in neointima formation” on November 13th. By a unanimous vote from his committee, he has been awarded the PhD degree “With Distinction”! Dr. Kim was mentored by Dr. Neal Weintraub and his committee members were Drs. David Fulton, Lin Gan, Xiaochun Long, Joseph Miano, and his reader Dr. Kunzhe Dong.

Congratulations and we wish you continued success with your MD!

WonMo Ahn successfully defended his PhD thesis entitled “Activation of receptor-independent fluid-phase pinocytosis promotes foamy monocyte formation in atherosclerotic mice” on September 12th. By a unanimous vote from his committee, he has been awarded the PhD degree “With Distinction”! Dr. Ahn was mentored by Dr. Gabor Csanyi and his committee members were Drs. David Fulton, David Stepp, Huabo Su, Graydon Gonsalvez, and his reader Dr. Benard Ogola

Well done!

American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions in Chicago | September 5-8, 2024

American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions in Chicago held September 5-8, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois

Beryl Khakina, a Vascular Biology PhD student under the advisement of Eric Belin de Chantemele, received the award for Support of Underrepresented Minorities from the American Heart Association (AHA). She was selected for two oral presentations of her project, “HIV-derived proteins induce Neuroinflammation, Hypertension and Sympatho-activation via T-cell-dependent mechanisms in the Tg26 Mouse Model,” at the National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute (NHLBI) Trainee Session on September 4th, and at the New Paradigms in Brain Mechanisms of Hypertension session on September 7th.

Ishara MG Menik, a Vascular Biology PhD student under the advisement of Eric Belin de Chantemele, received the Trainee Advocacy Committee (TAC) Early Career award for the poster presentation project “Inappropriate Activation of the Leptin-Aldosterone-Endothelial Mineralocorticoid Receptor axis promotes Salt sensitivity of Blood pressure in Young female mice".

Yoichi Ono, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in Eric Belin de Chantemele’s lab, received a Hypertension New Investigator Travel Award for the oral presentation “Adrenal Zona Glomerulosa Long Form Leptin Receptor (LepRb) Protects from Leptin-Mediated Vascular Disorders in Female Mice” on September 5th.

BRAVO!

Congratulations to Suhib Alhusban!

Suhib Alhusban

Suhib Alhusban successfully defended his PhD dissertation entitled “Glucosamine Mediated Hexosamine Biosynthesis Pathway Activation Utilizes ATF4 to Promote “Exercise-Like” Angiogenesis and Perfusion Recovery in PAD” on September 12^th. Suhib was mentored by Dr. Brian Annex and his committee members were Drs. Tohru fukai, David Fulton Yuqing Huo, and Somanath Shenoy.
Congratulations Dr. Alhusban!

Congratulations to Steve Haigh & Zsuzsanna Bordan!

Steve Haigh

Steve Haigh successfully defended his PhD dissertation entitled “The Role of Galectin 3 in Pulmonary Artery Hypertension” on July 11^th. Steve was mentored by Dr. David Fulton and his committee members were Drs. Scott Barman, Gabor Csanyi, Yuqing Huo, and David Stepp.
Steve has accepted a postdoctoral fellowship in the laboratory of Dr. David Fulton in the Vascular Biology Center.
Congratulations Dr. Haigh!

Zsuzsanna Bordan

Zsuzsanna Bordan successfully defended her PhD dissertation entitled “PDZ-Binding Kinase, a Novel Regulator of Vascular Remodeling in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension” on July 3^rd. Zsuzsanna was mentored by Dr. David Fulton and her committee members were Drs. Scott Barman, Gabor Csanyi, Yuqing Huo, and Neal Weintraub.
Zsuzsanna has accepted a postdoctoral fellowship in the laboratory of Dr. Alexander Verin in the Vascular Biology Center.

Congratulations Dr. Bordan!

Congratulations to outstanding trainees!

The Postdoctoral Evaluation Committee recognizes three Postdoctoral Fellows for outstanding productivity during the 2024 performance review.

Qian Ma, PhD, received the Special Chair’s Postdoctoral Award for excellence in productivity.
Qiuhua Yang, PhD, received the Late-Stage Postdoctoral Award for productivity and career progress.
Rahul Patel, PhD, received the Early-Stage Postdoctoral Award for productivity.

Lucas, Patel, Ma Yang

Group photo L/R: Rudolf Lucas, Postdoctoral Evaluation Committee Chair, Rahul Patel, Qian Ma, and Qiuhua Yang

Congratulations to Taylor Kress!

Taylor Kress

Taylor Kress successfully defended his PhD dissertation

"Role of HIV-Derived Proteins Expressed by CD4+ T Lymphocytes and of the Integrase Inhibitor Dolutegravir in the Development of HIV-Associated Cardiometabolic Disorders" on June 12^th. Taylor was mentored by Dr. Eric Belin de Chantemele and committee members were Drs. Gabor Csanyi, David Fulton, David Mattson, and David Stepp.
Taylor has accepted a postdoctoral fellowship at Duke University in the laboratory of Dr. Stephen Crowley.

Well done Dr. Kress!

Association for Research in Vision & Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Conference

Yusra Zaidi, PhD, postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Brian Stansfield’s lab, received the ARVO Foundation Travel Grant for the highest-scored abstract at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Conference, held May 5, 2024, in Seattle, for the project title “Loss of Neurofibromin facilitates pathological retinal neovascularization (RNV) via Akt-2 facilitated GLUT-1 translocation”

MCG Faculty Senate Award Ceremony

Eric Belin de Chantemele received the Medical College of Georgia Faculty Senate Mentoring Excellence Award, at the MCG Faculty Senate Award Ceremony, May 23.

Faculty Senate Award Ceremony (l-r) Dr. David Hess, Dean of Medical College of Georgia Dr. Eric Belin de Chantemele Dr. Lara Stepleman, Associate Dean for Faculty Success Dr. Vishal Arora, Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology

(l-r) Dr. David Hess, Dean of Medical College of Georgia, Dr. Eric Belin de Chantemele, Dr. Lara Stepleman, Associate Dean for Faculty Success, Dr. Vishal Arora, Faculty Senate President & Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology

May 23, 2024

39th Annual Graduate Research Day

Chatterjee memorial award

Recipient of inaugural Dr. Tapan K. Chatterjee Memorial Award is Josue Zambrano-Carrasco in recognition of research excellence at the 39th Annual Graduate Research Day

(l-r) Dr. Ralf Lucas, Josue Zambrano-Carrasco,

Dr. Soma Mukhopadhyay (wife of Dr. Chatterjee),

Dr. David Fulton

3rd Annual Savannah River Eye Meeting

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!

April 2, 2024

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

Excellent research and presentations by all!

Graduate Student Poster Presentation

Ishara Menik Hitihami, PhD Student

Award for Excellence in Research by a graduate student for the poster presentation of “High Salt Diet disrupts the Endothelial function in Young Female mice via Dysregulated Leptin-Aldosterone-Endothelial Mineralocorticoid Receptor Axis”
Advisor: Eric Belin de Chantemele, PhD

Post-Doctoral Oral Presentations

Qian Ma, PhD

Qian Ma, PhD

3rd place award for Excellence in Research by a Postdoctoral Fellow for oral presentation of “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,

Varsha Tandra, PhD, postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Jie Li’s lab, received 1^st place award for the oral presentation of “Regulation of UFM1 modification from ER dynamics to cardiac homeostasis” at the 38^th Graduate Research Day held March 7, 2024.

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, postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Brian Stansfield’s lab, received 2nd prize for the oral presentation of “Loss of Neurofibromin facilitates pathological retinal neovascularization (RNV) via Akt-2 facilitated GLUT-1 translocation” at the 39th Annual Graduate Research Day, MCG, held March 7, 2024.

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, 2022 \| WJBFCOM \| 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. Read more

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

Dr. Yuqing Huo

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

Dr. Ruth Caldwell

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).

Dr. Yuqing Huo

Dr. David Stepp

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".
	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)