The University of Kentucky’s Saha Cardiovascular Research Center celebrated two decades of cardiovascular research excellence as well as the achievements of the field’s rising stars at the 27th annual Cardiovascular Research Day. The milestone two-day event brought together researchers, clinicians and students from across the country to honor 20 years of advances in cardiovascular science while recognizing the next generation of innovators pushing the field forward.
The Gill Heart and Vascular Institute’s Early Career Awards went to four distinguished researchers making strides in cardiovascular science:
- Amy Siebert-McKenzie, PhD, assistant professor at Oakland University, whose independent research program will investigate how distinct alternative splicing events in TFPI and other clotting factors modulate the hemostatic balance and how these events are dysregulated in bleeding and clotting disorders.
- Masataka Nishiga, MD, PhD, instructor at Stanford Cardiovascular Institute and incoming assistant professor at Ohio State University, who investigates the root of cardiac disease and heart failure to develop more effective therapies.
- Khalid El Saafien, PhD, assistant professor at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, is an integrative neurophysiologist with an interest in the autonomic control and regulation of blood pressure.
- Mengmeng Huang, PhD, postdoctoral research fellow at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, who investigates the genetic mechanisms that govern heart development and disease.
The Gill Heart and Vascular Institute’s Outstanding Contributions to Cardiovascular Research Award went to Joseph Hill, MD, PhD. His research focuses on molecular mechanisms of remodeling in the disease-stressed myocardium.
The featured speaker of this year’s event was Claire Pomeroy, MD, president of the Lasker Foundation, which is dedicated to improving health by accelerating support for medical research through recognition of research excellence, education and advocacy.
This year’s Distinguished Alumni presentation was given by Frank Davis, MD, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan Department of Surgery and Section Chief of Vascular Surgery at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center. He has clinical specialization in the surgical and endovascular management of aortic aneurysms, aorto-iliac occlusive disease, cerebrovascular disease and peripheral arterial disease.
The Saha Awards for Cardiovascular Research and Education recognize the achievements of students who’ve shown an interest in cardiovascular medicine and nursing. One award honors a team of nurses for their creativity and innovation in cardiovascular patient education.
The winners are:
- University of Kentucky Nursing Student Award: Jessica Borzansky
- University of Kentucky Medical Student Award: Olivia Hage
- Eastern Kentucky Nursing Student: Katherine Maupin
- Paula Fritz, RN Award for Patient Education: Jimer Battaile
Students, staff and trainees from institutes around the country showcased their work at the event. The Science As Art competition has gained in popularity since its inaugural run last year, and the winners received Saha Cardiovascular Research Center swag. Attendees finished the conference by playing a rousing game of Kahoot! to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center.
The Saha Aortic Center Awards were presented at the Aortic Symposium the following day to recognize excellence in clinical service, research and education at the University of Kentucky as it pertains to aortic health and treatment.
The winners are:
- Award for Excellence in Aortic Clinical Care: Preeti Ramachandran, MD
- Award for Excellence in Aortic Research: Lisa Cassis, PhD
- Award for Excellence in Aortic Education: Anthony Sertich, MD
Cardiovascular Research Day is made possible by support from the UK Cardiovascular Research Priority Area, the UK HealthCare Gill Heart and Vascular Institute, the UK Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and the UK Saha Aortic Center.
A complete list of award recipients is available at medicine.uky.edu/centers/cvrc/cv-research-day and https://medicine.uky.edu/centers/sahaaortic/saha-awards.