Theme Leaders
Current Clinical Projects
The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study – Coordinating Center (ARIC Central Atherosclerosis Laboratory) [NIH contract, Co-I: Ballantyne, Hoogeveen; PI: Ballantyne]
ARIC Neurocognitive Study (ARIC-NCS) [NIH U01, Baylor Co-PI: Ballantyne, Hoogeveen]
Phenotypic consequences of lipoprotein(a) in diverse populations [NIH R01, Co-I: Ballantyne, Hoogeveen]
Consortium for Translational and Precision Health [NIH UM1, Co-I: Ballantyne]
Using genomics and functional biology to understand fibrinogen and FXIII and their effects on thrombotic diseases [NIH R01, Co-I: Hoogeveen]
Mechanisms and consequences of erythritol and erythronate excess in cardiometabolic disease [NIH K23, PI: Abushamat]
Early detection of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis: defining a novel target for HFpEF treatment and prevention in late life [NIH R01, Co-I: Ballantyne]
Proteomic profiling to identify mechanisms of susceptibility and resilience to cardiac and neurocognitive dysfunction in Black Americans [NIH R01, Co-I: Ballantyne]
Late-life trajectories of cardiac function to define pathways of cardiac resilience [NIH R01, Co-I: Ballantyne]
Proteomic profiling of heart failure in Hispanics/Latinos [NIH R01, Co-I: Ballantyne]
Sudden death risk assessment and mechanistic insights in arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse using cardiac MRI and circulating blood biomarkers [NIH R01, Co-I: Ballantyne]
Evaluating telementoring to initiate a multidimensional diabetes program for Latino(A)s in community clinics: a randomized clinical trial [NIH R01, Co-I: Ballantyne]
Novel metabolomics and radiomics for predicting HCC risk [CPRIT, Co-I: Ballantyne]
Prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma related to metabolic syndrome [NIH P01, Co-I: Ballantyne]
Modifiable drivers of expansion and malignant transformation from clonal hematopoiesis [NIH P01, Co-I: Ballantyne]
Cognitive impairment and dementia, vascular brain injury, and atrial myopathy: implications for prevention of Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias [NIH RF1, Co-I: Ballantyne]
Clinical trials of novel therapies using antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNA to target apo(a), apoC-III, and ANGPTL3, and a novel macrocyclic peptide targeting PCSK9 [Industry, PI: Ballantyne]
Current Basic Research Projects
Inflammation and insulin resistance in aging [NIH R01, PI: Wu; co-I: Ballantyne]
MicroRNA regulation of adipose tissue immune response in obesity [NIH R01, MPI: Wu]
Molecular studies of hemolytic thrombosis [NIH R01, MPI: Cruz]
Metabolic crosstalk through vascular endothelium-secreted factors [NIH R01, PI: Pi]
The pathophysiology of vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension [NIH R01, MPI: Pi]
Natural substance derivative DHNB is a novel xanthine oxidase inhibitor [NIH R21, PI: Chen]
Molecular surgeon research training on vascular disease [NIH T32, PI: Chen]
Stanniocalcin-1, a novel anti-inflammatory protein [NIH R01, PI: Sheikh-Hamad; Co-I: Chen]
Chronic kidney disease adversely influences vascular functions [NIH R01, PI: Cheng, Co-I: Chen]
Mechanisms of microvascular thrombosis in inflammation [VA Merit Award, PI: Rumbaut, Co-I: Cruz]
Collaborative research training in thrombosis and inflammation [NIH T32, MPI: Rumbaut, Cruz]
Aging and ARDS: novel mechanistic role of Nox4/D in age-dependent barrier dysfunction [VA Merit Award, PI: Hecker]
Repurposing of FDA-approved Nrf2 activators as a novel inhaled therapy for pulmonary fibrosis [NIH R41, PI: Hecker]
Advanced pre-clinical development of Nox4 inhibitors for pulmonary fibrosis [NIH R44, MPI: Hecker]
Research Faculty
Layla Abushamat, M.D., M.P.H. - Metabolic pathways implicated in cardiometabolic disease; differences in cardiovascular metabolism according to obesity status and diabetes; incorporation of metabolic information to develop personalized approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and therapy of cardiometabolic disease
Ashok Balasubramanyam, M.D. - Ketosis-Prone Diabetes, Myogenesis and Insulin Action, HIV Associated Lipodystrophy
Michael Bround, Ph.D. – Mechanisms of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Ischemic Heart Failure
Robert Bryan, Ph.D. - Cerebrovascular circulation, EDHF in Cerebral Arteries, Traumatic Brain Injury, K Channels
Chu-Huang (Mendel) Chen, M.D. Ph.D. - Electronegative LDL, Angiogenesis
Miguel Cruz, M.D. - Von Willebrand factor, Thrombosis
Louise Hecker, Ph.D. - Regenerative Biology in Aging
Ron Hoogeveen, Ph.D. - Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Disease and Inflammation
Jason Karch, Ph.D. – Mechanisms of Cell Death in Ischemic Heart Disease
William Lagor, Ph.D. - Regulation of Lipid and Lipoprotein Metabolism
Vijay Nambi, M.D. - Biomarkers, Vascular Imaging, Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
Xinchun Pi, Ph.D. - Novel regulatory roles of LRP1 in endothelium, signaling pathways involved in endothelial growth and angiogenesis
Todd Rosengart, M.D. - Cardiac Regeneration, Cardiac Gene Therapy, Angiogenesis
Rolando Rumbaut, M.D. Ph.D. - Microcirculation, Inflammation, Thrombosis
Addison Taylor, M.D. Ph.D. - Hypertension, Clinical Pharmacology
Vinod Vijayan, Ph.D. - Platelet Serine Threonine Phosphatases, Sepsis
Huaizhu Wu, M.D. - Inflammation Associated with Dyslipidemia and Obesity
