AHA SURE MENTORS
(click on the mentor's name to view their profile and link to their lab)
The Iqbal lab focuses on neuroinflammation associated with cerebrovascular diseases including ischemic stroke, and vascular dementia.
The Bhuiyan lab focus is to examine the role of autophagy in cardiac pathophysiology using integrated molecular, genetic, and functional approaches in genetically modified mice. My laboratory extensively uses cardiac-specific transgenic and knockout mouse models of heart failure including ischemia/reperfusion injury-, transverse aortic constriction- and genetic models (desmin related cardiomyopathy) of heart failure.
My research centers on developing and applying advanced mathematical, statistical, and AI-driven methods better to understand complex cardiovascular, neurobehavioral, and metabolic diseases. I integrate rigorous biostatistical modeling with modern machine learning, deep learning, and image-processing techniques to analyze multimodal biomedical data, including electronic health records, medical imaging (e.g., MRI and digital pathology), and high-dimensional multi-omics datasets. By building predictive and mechanistic models of disease risk, progression, and treatment response, my lab aims to improve early diagnosis, refine patient stratification, and accelerate precision medicine. We develop novel algorithms and scalable computational pipelines for image analysis, data harmonization, and biomarker discovery, with a particular emphasis on cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
The Disbrow lab studies Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease, specializing in neuropsychological and motor testing, and functional brain imaging
The Elsaafien laboratory is interested in investigating the role of baroreceptors and the baroreflex in the development of hypertension, in particular, sex-specific differences. The student will perform neuroanatomical studies to assess structural and molecular differences in baroreceptors in both males and females.
Chris Kevil, PhD
The Kevil lab studies the role of reactive sulfur species including hydrogen sulfide and sulfane sulfur in regulating ischemic vascular remodeling. The lab uses both in vitro cell culture and in vivo animal models to understand specific molecular mechanisms of arteriogenesis and angiogenesis. Available projects will utilize endothelial cell culture in determining RSS synthesis enzyme CSE activation under different pathophysiological conditions.
My research is focused to identify the molecular signaling mechanisms involved in oxidative stress, and vascular growth and remodeling during cardiovascular pathology. I have been working towards bridging basic and clinical research for therapeutic revascularization in vascular diseases more than 15 years. I have examined the role of gasotransmitters NO and H2S, including the role of cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE) in regulation of ischemic vascular remodeling. My research contributes to identify the regulation of gasotransmitters (NO and H2S) and associated signaling involved in vascular and metabolic functions in aging and METH-mediated cardiovascular system and cerebrovascular blood flow and cognition impairment. Additionally, I investigate redox regulation and CSE/H2S signaling in Alzheimer’s disease.
The Bhuiyan lab focus is to examine the role of autophagy in cardiac pathophysiology using integrated molecular, genetic, and functional approaches in genetically modified mice. My laboratory extensively uses cardiac-specific transgenic and knockout mouse models of heart failure including ischemia/reperfusion injury-, transverse aortic constriction- and genetic models (desmin related cardiomyopathy) of heart failure.
The Orr lab studies the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, the most common cause of heart attacks and strokes and the leading cause of death worldwide. Using vascular cell culture, mouse models, and patient samples, our work identifies novel pathways contributing the buildup of lipids, inflammatory cells, and fibrous tissue in the vessel wall with the ultimate goal of reducing clinical complications of atherosclerosis.
The Park lab long-term goal is to understand the detailed mechanisms of vascular diseases including cardiovascular disease, neurovascular disease, and tumor immunity with a special emphasis on transcriptional regulation and epigenetics. We are also interested in direct cell reprogramming to generate autologous endothelial cells for cell therapy. Further, we are studying novel therapeutic options for vascular disease treatment.
The central theme of my lab’s work is to understand how redox signaling pathways, particularly those influenced by glutathione (GSH), regulate vascular remodeling during both acute and chronic inflammatory processes. Specifically, we investigate how changes in the GSH:GSSG ratio influence receptor signaling pathways and post-translational modifications like glutathionylation, which in turn affect vascular function and disease progression.
Research in the Rodgers lab focuses on the endogenous regeneration of brain cells following stroke, and how these new brain cells contribute to enhanced post-stroke outcomes (i.e., improved motor recovery, reduced limb neglect, improved neuroplasticity/EEG). We have found a role for neuroimmune support in the survival and maturation of new brain cells in young mice compared to adult, and are investigating these age-related differences in immune functioning following stroke.
The long-term goal of my research is to elucidate metabolic and molecular mechanisms underlying cardiometabolic diseases to identify novel therapeutic targets. The focus of my laboratory is to shed light on yet undefined metabolic pathways that link metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). We employ a multidisciplinary approach that integrates newly developed animal models, patient samples from individuals with cardiometabolic diseases, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS), alongside a variety of advanced research tools, including transcriptomics, metabolomics, animal pathophysiology, and cellular and molecular biology.
The Salem lab studies how gene regulatory networks and 3D genome organization in vascular smooth muscle cells drive coronary artery disease. We use CRISPR-based genome editing, mouse models, and multi-omics to link CAD risk alleles to vascular phenotypes.
My laboratory research focuses on macrophages in cardiometabolic diseases, with a specific focus on understanding the clearance of dead hepatocytes by liver macrophages in liver diseases, including MASH.
My laboratory works in the areas of cardio immunology and cardio-oncology, with a specific focus on understanding how immune checkpoints contributes to cardiac function and how immunotherapy can lead to cardiotoxicity.
In the Sun lab, we are currently studying the influence of chronic alcohol consumption on cerebral angiogenesis and neurogenesis under basal conditions and following ischemic stroke. The results of our study not only improve clinical management for ischemic stroke in alcohol users but also lead to new approaches for preventing and treating ischemic stroke and other neurodegenerative diseases in non-drinkers.
The Zhou lab seeks to define the epigenetic, transcriptional, post-transcriptional and -translational mechanisms that govern smooth muscle behavior and contribute to cardiovascular development and disease, as well as visceral myopathy.