VCU news

By Cheryle Rodriguez

Virginia Commonwealth University announced today that it has received $2.4 million in grant funding from The American Heart Association Mid-Atlantic Affiliate to support 12 research projects.  

Eric Peterson, M.D., board president of the American Heart Association Mid-Atlantic Affiliate, presented the check to Michael Rao, Ph.D., president of VCU and the VCU Health System, during a reception on Feb. 4 at the Hilton Garden Inn.  

The grant will support two new research projects and allow for the continuation of 10 additional studies.

“Since 1972, Virginia Commonwealth University has received 138 American Heart Association National Center and Mid-Atlantic Affiliate research grants totaling $12.8 million,” said Rao.  “Through the continued generosity of the American Heart Association, VCU can build upon its national and international recognition for its sponsored research.”

VCU Pauley Heart Center has had an active cardiovascular disease research program for more than 30 years. Rakesh Kukreja, Ph.D, scientific director of the VCU Pauley Heart Center and the Eric Lipman Professor in Cardiology in the VCU School of Medicine, leads the research program and has a long track with the American Heart Association. He received his first grant from the organization in 1987.

“It was the turning point of my career,” said Kukreja. “I wasn’t sure that I would be successful but the grant gave me confidence to do further research. It has been the seed money to help me build my profession and develop novel strategies to improve heart health.”

Seven of Kukreja’s mentees and postdoctoral fellows have received training fellowship dollars from the American Heart Association.

Additionally, five former trainees currently holding faculty positions at VCU and other universities received grant funding, including Scientist Development Grant Awards.  

According to George Vetrovec, M.D., professor of medicine and director of the Adult Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, American Heart Association has a history of providing “start-up” funding for early investigators who are new to the field.

“From the research standpoint, one of the problems with some federal dollars is that you have to be a pro to get those grants,” said Vetrovec. “AHA provides funding for those who are in the minor leagues, working to get to the pros.”

American Heart Association-funded research at the VCU Pauley Heart Center has had a significant impact on cardiovascular health.

The first research project, which was funded 40 years ago, involved the study of how a serious infection affects the function of the heart. In 2009, Antonio Abbate, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of internal medicine, studied types of drugs that prevent remodeling — damage that occurs to the heart over time following a heart attack.  

“As important as all the research is, AHA is equally effective in supporting community programs and education that is a cooperative activity that requires the input and work of several VCU physicians,” said Vetrovec.

Vetrovec has volunteered extensively with the American Heart Association, serving as president of the Richmond Council and the Virginia Affiliate and as chairman of the Mid- Atlantic Region and the AHA national board.    

Vetrovec said that his volunteer efforts “represent cooperative input and work of VCU faculty in conjunction with other volunteer physicians from around the region and nation.”

“Our faculty has had significant roles in participating and supporting AHA activities —conferences that allow people to present research, educational activities and other forums to share research,” said Kenneth Ellenbogen, M.D., chairman of the Division of Cardiology and Pauley Heart Center. “It’s a winning relationship for the Pauley Heart Center, our doctors and our patients.”

The grants were awarded to:

Al-Horani, Rami
Project Title: Non-Heparin, Sulfated, Readily Synthesized, Allosteric Direct Factor Xla Inhibitors as Potentially Safe Anticoagulants
Total Award Amount $82,000

Mezzaroma, Eleonora Ph.D.
Project Title: Role of Interleukin-1 in Radiation-Induced Cardiomyopathy
Total Award Amount: $82,000


Continuing VCU Research Awards

Abbate, Antonio M.D., Ph.D.
Project Title: Interleukin-1 blockade in acute myocardial infarction
Total Award Amount: $297,736

Baumgarten, Clive, Ph.D.
Project Title: Ceramide and S1P Regulate Volume-Sensitive Cl Current in Cardiac Myocytes via ROS
Total Award Amount: $154,000 (ended this fiscal year)

Cheang, Kai, PharmD,M.S.
Project Title: Oral Contraceptives, Insulin Resistance and Cardiovascular Risk Profile in African-American vs. Caucasian Women
Total Award Amount: $153,996

Chen, Qun, M.D., Ph.D.
Project Title: Apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) release augments myocardial injury during reperfusion
Total Award Amount: $308,000

Koka, Sai, Ph.D.
Project Title: Role of SIRT1 in PDE-5 inhibitor induced Cardioprotection in Diabetic Mice
Total Award Amount: $82,000

Liu, Qinglian, Ph.D.
Project Title: Structural and biochemical studies of Hsp110 molecular chaperones: implications in cardiovascular protection
Total Award Amount: $154,000

Salloum, Fadi, Ph.D.
Institution: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond City/State: Richmond, VA
Project Title: H2S Signaling in Cardioprotection with Phosphodiesterase-5
Amount: $308,000

Smeltz, Ronald, Ph.D.
Project Title: Regulation of Th17 responses to Trypanosoma cruzi
Total Award Amount: $154,000

You, Young-Jai, Ph.D.
Project Title: Appetite Control in C .elegans
Amount: $308,000

Zhang, Zhe, Ph.D.
Project Title: Regulation of Na+-activated K+ channel activity and the role of phosphoinositides
Total Award Amount: $308,000

Zhou, Lei, Ph.D.
Project Title: Structure, dynamics, and function of cardiac HCN channels gated by cAMP
Total Award Amount: $154,000

 

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