Cardiovascular Center Postdoctoral Fellowship

Join us next week, in honor of National Postdoc Appreciation Week, for a special CVC Trainee Professional Development Seminar, presented by MCW's Dr. Thomas McFall, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry.

Apply today at www.mcw.edu/cvct32

Next month, the Cardiovascular Center is sweetening up the start of ! We're kicking off the 2024 celebrations with science-themed cookies to show appreciation for our amazing postdocs!

The CVC welcomes six outstanding new faculty mentors to the CVC's Cardiovascular Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cardiovascular Sciences. Their expertise and passion will be invaluable in shaping the next generation of cardiovascular research leaders.

Lu Han, PhD
Ze Zheng, MBBS, PhD
Brandon Tefft, PhD
Stephanie Olivier-Van Stichelen, PhD
Julie Freed, MD, PhD
Tammy Kindel, MD, PhD

CVC Member, Brandon J. Tefft, PhD, assistant professor of biomedical engineering in the Marquette University-Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, has been honored with the prestigious Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF). This distinguished recognition, totaling more than $570,000 to develop research and education programs, underscores his commitment to advancing scientific innovation and education.

The NSF CAREER program aims to cultivate leaders in both research and education. Dr. Tefft’s achievement in securing the grant reflects his dedication to pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery while imparting knowledge to future generations of engineers and scientists.

A dynamic figure in the field of biomedical engineering, Dr. Tefft specializes in cardiovascular regenerative engineering. As the director of the Cardiovascular Regenerative Engineering Laboratory (CaRE Lab), he leads groundbreaking research initiatives aimed at addressing critical challenges in cardiovascular medicine. His expertise spans cardiovascular device design, tissue-engineered vascular grafts, tissue-engineered heart valves and biomedical nanotechnology.

Innovation and Inspiration: Dr. Tefft’s Vision for Heart Health Science and Education “Origami-inspired design for a tissue-engineered heart valve” heralds a cardiovascular paradigm shift.

Following a two-year cardiology fellowship, the Medical College of Wisconsin’s (MCW) Cardiovascular Center has appointed Dr. Sakthi Sundararajan, as a postdoctoral fellow to the Cardiovascular Center’s National Institutes of Health T32 postdoctoral training program.

Congratulations to CVC Postdoctoral Fellowship alumnus, Dan Sprague, MD, PhD, on his recent publication in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology!

Over a third of the world’s population is infected with parasitic worms. Consequently, there is an urgent and unmet need to identify new therapeutics that combat the clinical and socioeconomic burden of these infections. Researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin report the discovery of a new class of antiparasitic compounds targeting an infection known as fascioliasis, a type of liver fluke that infects humans and animals.

This work, a collaboration between the MCW Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Justus Liebig University and the University of Florida Scripps Molecular Screening Center, is published this week in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41594-024-01298-3

The MCW Cardiovascular Center runs the Advancing Student Potential for Inclusion with Research Experiences (ASPIRE) program. The program’s co-directors are Ivor Benjamin, MD, director of the MCW Cardiovascular Center and principal investigator on the NIH R25 grant that funds the ASPIRE program; Joy Lincoln, PhD, associate director of the MCW Cardiovascular Center; and Malika Siker, MD, associate dean for student inclusion and diversity at MCW. The summer program focuses on providing mentorship and hands-on cardiovascular research opportunities to undergraduate students with backgrounds that traditionally have been underrepresented in the health care and biomedical research workforce. ASPIRE was funded by the National Institutes of Health’s National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in April 2023 before the first ASPIRE summer program in May.

Changing Aspirations, One Summer at a Time The MCW ASPIRE program provides research opportunities for individuals traditionally underrepresented.

Happy International Women's Day!

Apply today! Application Deadline: April 30, 2024

Join CVC Faculty Mentor, Dr. Michaela Patterson, along with her fellow esteemed panelists on Feb. 7th at 2:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM CT / 12:00 PM MT for ‘Top Tips and Myth Busting’ on the academic job market. Organized by the
American Heart Association@BCVSearlyCareer

Register: https://heart.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsf-mgqzMqG9zVTKEtMGFLoJZwpz0l21ha #/registration

Last week, the CVC hosted a Mentor Training Workshop to optimize and strengthen our faculty, trainee and staff’s mentoring relationships. Thank you to our phenomenal facilitators, Dr. Amy Prunuske and Etta Ward, as well as to those who participated in this full day of engaging discussion and learning.

The Cardiovascular Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin is seeking applications for our Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cardiovascular Sciences. Follow the link for details and to apply today!

https://www.mcw.edu/departments/cardiovascular-center-heart/education/postdoctoral-fellowship

CVC Postdoctoral Fellowship Alumnus, Dr. Moua Yang, is featured in a recent article highlighting Stories from Hmong in STEMM:

"Today, the Hmong remain one of the most under-represented groups in science and research at every level and institution in the USA and elsewhere in the world. Those in the science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine (STEMM) community who identify as Hmong find themselves in a unique position: They are often the trailblazer in their family and the first Hmong scientist in their chosen field of specialization. Herein are the stories and voices of seven Hmong scientists in STEMM, each of whom shares their perspective and experience as they pursued an advanced education and a career in the sciences." (introductory excerpt)

bit.ly/hmongstemm

This article was published in the journal "Trends In Genetics" in May 2023.

Stories from Hmong in STEMM The Hmong are an ethnic minority group residing mainly in Asia and Southeast Asia. In the 1960s, the US Central Intelligence Agency recruited the Hmong people who mainly lived in the mountains of Laos to fight on behalf of the USA in the Vietnam War. Their involvement in this operation, referred to....

Looking forward to celebrating our postdoctoral fellows next week during National Postdoc Appreciation Week 2023!

Don't forget about Postdoc Appreciation Week next week!

Applications are currently being accepted for the CVC T32 Training Program for the Fall 2023 Application Cycle!

Application Deadline: August 30, 2023

This program provides up to three years of training for postdoctoral fellows with an MD, PhD, PharmD, or DO degree (two new slots/year) and brings together over 40 basic scientists and translational investigators to serve as mentors in a program that is supported by specific research areas of scientific excellence (“Signature Programs”), a highly-integrated collaborative research environment, and access to an extensive research infrastructure.

https://www.mcw.edu/departments/cardiovascular-center-heart/education/postdoctoral-fellowship

Congratulations to Dr. Bakhshian Nik!

The Cardiovascular Center is happy to announce that it has appointed Amirala Bakhshian Nik, PhD, MS, as a postdoctoral trainee to the CVC's NIH T32 postdoctoral training program.

Dr. Amirala Bakhshian Nik earned his Bachelor of Science in 2012 from Iran University of Science and Technology in materials engineering, followed by a Master of Science in 2015 from University of Tehran, and in 2020 from Florida International University, both in biomedical engineering. Dr. Bakhshian Nik went on to complete his PhD in biomedical engineering from Florida International University in 2022. In March 2022, he joined the laboratory of Caitlin O’Meara, PhD, associate professor of physiology and member and co-leader of the Cardiovascular Center’s Signature Program in Cardiac Biology and Heart Failure. Dr. Bakhshian Nik’s T32 project will study the mechanisms involved in cardiac regeneration and repair following a heart attack, with the ultimate goal of decreasing heart damage and preventing early death for patients with heart failure, which affects nearly 6.5 million Americans.

Building on excellence in cardiovascular research, the Cardiovascular Center’s T32 postdoctoral training program, “Training in Signature Transdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences,” is funded by a $2.7 million grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute that provides support for six postdoctoral training slots each year. The grant provides up to three years of training for appointed postdoctoral fellows in the Cardiovascular Center with an MD, PhD, PharmD, or DO degree. Complementary support for trainees is provided by a donation given to the Cardiovascular Center by the A. O. Smith Foundation for the A. O. Smith Fellowship Scholars Program, a program designed to support talented cardiovascular researchers and physicians to overcome the barriers that exist in launching and sustaining a successful research career.

The ultimate goal of this training program is to train the next generation of cardiovascular scientists and physicians, including underrepresented minorities, by incorporating broad-based, personalized, supportive, and rigorous training opportunities.

This impressive new appointee joins six other A.O. Smith Scholars in the Cardiovascular Center’s T32 postdoctoral training program, Stephen Hammond, PhD, MS, Daniel Sprague, MD, PhD, Michelle Roberts, PhD, MS, Tyler Buddell, PhD, Joshua Nord, PhD, and Ryan Adam, PhD. Since its inception in 2017, alumni of this training program have been highly successful in publishing in high-impact journals, obtaining K and F awards, and securing faculty positions, building towards independence as cardiovascular investigators.

Ivor Benjamin, MD, professor of medicine and director of the Cardiovascular Center at MCW and Mary Sorci-Thomas, PhD, professor of medicine and associate director of the Cardiovascular Center at MCW, are co-directors.

Another benefit for postdoctoral fellows appointed to the T32 training grant - the opportunity to apply for T32 Pilot Awards!

The T32 Pilot Awards allow postdoctoral fellows (sponsored by CVC member) who are appointed to the CVC’s T32 Program at some point between March 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, to acquire preliminary data, reviewer-requested data, to fund high risk/high reward projects, early-stage ideas, proof-of concept, and/or answer important research questions related to cardiovascular health or disease. These awards are funded by a grant given to the Cardiovascular Center by the A. O. Smith Foundation for the A. O. Smith Fellowship Scholars Program, a program designed to support talented cardiovascular researchers and physicians to overcome the barriers that exist in launching and sustaining a successful research career. Up to six one-year awards are available for awards up to $5,000 each. https://www.mcw.edu/departments/cardiovascular-center-heart/research/funding-opportunities

The Medical College of Wisconsin’s (MCW) Cardiovascular Center has appointed Stephen Hammond, PhD, MS, as a postdoctoral trainee to the Cardiovascular Center’s National Institutes of Health T32 postdoctoral training program.

Dr. Stephen Hammond earned his Bachelor of Science from Wingate University in sports management in 2014, followed by a Master of Science in 2017 in exercise physiology from Eastern Michigan University. This winter, he earned a PhD in kinesiology from Kansas State University, studying the effects of chemotherapy on the heart and blood vessels. In February 2023, Dr. Hammond joined the laboratory of Andreas Beyer, PhD, associate professor of medicine and member and co-leader of the Cardiovascular Center’s Signature Program in Cardio-Oncology. Dr. Hammond’s T32 project will aim to decrease cardiovascular complications and diseases resulting from cancer treatment which impacts the over 4 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States.

Building on excellence in cardiovascular research, the Cardiovascular Center’s T32 postdoctoral training program, “Training in Signature Transdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences,” is funded by a $2.7 million grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute that provides support for six postdoctoral training slots each year. The grant provides up to three years of training for appointed postdoctoral fellows in the Cardiovascular Center with an MD, PhD, PharmD, or DO degree. Complementary support for trainees is provided by a donation given to the Cardiovascular Center by the A. O. Smith Foundation for the A. O. Smith Fellowship Scholars Program, a program designed to support talented cardiovascular researchers and physicians to overcome the barriers that exist in launching and sustaining a successful research career.

The ultimate goal of this training program is to train the next generation of cardiovascular scientists and physicians, including underrepresented minorities, by incorporating broad-based, personalized, supportive, and rigorous training opportunities.

This impressive new appointee joins five other A.O. Smith Scholars in the Cardiovascular Center’s T32 postdoctoral training program, Daniel Sprague, MD, PhD, Michelle Roberts, PhD, MS, Tyler Buddell, PhD, Joshua Nord, PhD, and Ryan Adam, PhD. Since its inception in 2017, alumni of this training program have been highly successful in publishing in high-impact journals, obtaining K and F awards, and securing faculty positions, building towards independence as cardiovascular investigators.

Ivor Benjamin, MD, professor of medicine and director of the Cardiovascular Center at MCW and Mary Sorci-Thomas, PhD, professor of medicine and associate director of the Cardiovascular Center at MCW, are co-directors.

What an inspiring story!
"Ten years ago, I didn’t believe this world existed. Five years ago, I didn’t believe this world existed – let alone I can be a part of it," said Marks.
Marks thanks mentors like Alison Kriegel for giving her an opportunity to succeed in science.
"I think one of the most important qualities of scientists is resilience," said Kriegel. "It’s really important to appreciate that sometimes people’s lives don’t move in a straight line."

High school dropout to doctorate; scientist says 'you can do anything' "Ten years ago, I didn’t believe this world existed. Five years ago, I didn’t believe this world existed – let alone I can be a part of it."

Congratulations to CVC Members Julie K. Freed, MD, PhD, FAHA, FCVS and Andreas M. Beyer, PhD! Dr. Freed has been elected Chair of the APS Translational Physiology Interest Group Steering Committee and Dr. Beyer is the outgoing Chair, who will rotate off after 1 year.
The American Physiological Society (APS) established the Translational Physiology Interest Group (TPIG) in 2010. The TPIG’s mission is to provide a platform for all APS investigators who are interested or engaged in translational research to interact with each other and the general public. In the first 10 years, TPIG has become the second-largest largest APS interest group.

The Cardiovascular Center has appointed Daniel Sprague, MD, PhD, as a postdoctoral trainee to the Cardiovascular Center’s National Institutes of Health T32 postdoctoral training program.

In March 2021, Dr. Sprague joined the laboratory of Jonathan Marchant, PhD, professor and chair of the department of cell biology, neurobiology and anatomy and member of the Cardiovascular Center’s Signature Program in Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. Dr. Sprague’s T32 project aims to decrease cardiovascular deaths and lifelong cardiovascular disease through the development of new treatments for parasitic flatworms. These parasitic flatworms cause schistosomiasis, a disease that causes pulmonary hypertension, as well as numerous other irreversible cardiovascular complications such as the thickening of the blood vessels and decreased functioning of the heart muscle.

Dr. Daniel Sprague earned his bachelor of science from The University of Miami in biochemistry, molecular biology, and chemistry in 2011, followed by a PhD in organic chemistry from Vanderbilt University in 2016. In 2021, he earned his MD from the Medical College of Wisconsin while working as a research assistant in the lab of Dr. Brian Smith.

Building on excellence in cardiovascular research, the Cardiovascular Center’s T32 postdoctoral training program, “Training in Signature Transdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences,” is funded by a $2.7 million grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute that provides support for six postdoctoral training slots each year. The grant provides up to three years of training for appointed postdoctoral fellows in the Cardiovascular Center with an MD, PhD, PharmD, or DO degree. Complementary support for trainees is provided by a donation given to the Cardiovascular Center by the A. O. Smith Foundation for the A. O. Smith Fellowship Scholars Program, a program designed to support talented cardiovascular researchers and physicians to overcome the barriers that exist in launching and sustaining a successful research career.

The ultimate goal of this training program is to train the next generation of cardiovascular scientists and physicians, including underrepresented minorities, by incorporating broad-based, personalized, supportive, and rigorous training opportunities.

This impressive new appointee joins four other A.O. Smith Scholars in the Cardiovascular Center’s T32 postdoctoral training program: Michelle Roberts. PhD, MS; Tyler Buddell, PhD; Joshua Nord, PhD; and Ryan Adam, PhD. Since its inception in 2017, alumni of this training program have been highly successful in publishing in high-impact journals, obtaining K and F awards, and securing faculty positions, building towards independence as cardiovascular investigators.

Ivor Benjamin, MD, professor of medicine and director of the Cardiovascular Center, and Mary Sorci-Thomas, PhD, professor of medicine and associate director of the Cardiovascular Center, are co-directors of the program.