CPVB COBRE investigator Alan Morrison, MD, PhD Assistant Professor of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School Brown University, was awarded an R01 titled “Development of Rac-Targeted Therapeutic Strategy for Treatment of Calcific Atherosclerosis”. In July 2016 Dr. Morrison received a 12 month pilot project from the CPVB COBRE and graduated to COBRE investigator June 2017. Dr. Morrison’s R01 study will define the role of macrophage Rac-dependent signaling during inflammatory calcification of atherosclerotic plaque.

Dr. Qing Lu, Associate Professor of Medicine (Research), Warren Alpert Medical School Brown University, has graduated from CPVB COBRE junior investigator to independent PI. Since the CPVB COBRE’s commencement in September 2013, Dr. Lu and her team have worked diligently on her project “Role of Adenosine in Cigarette Smoke-Induced Lung endothelial Injury”. In July 2016, Dr. Lu received R01 funding for her project “HDAC6 regulates cigarette smoke-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction and lung injury”. This study will provide innovative insights into the effect of cigarette smoke on lung endothelial barrier function. Establishment of the links among HDAC6, mitochondrial fission and mtDAMPs may result in new therapeutic approaches to cigarette smoke-induced vascular injury in the lung and potentially also in the systemic circulation.

Congratulations to Qing!

Dr. Alan Morrison was awarded a 12-month pilot project with the CPVB COBRE at the Ocean State Research Institute. Morrison is currently an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. He completed his residency and fellowship at Yale New Haven Hospital. His pilot project is entitled Therapeutic Targeting of IL-1β-Based Mechanisms in Calcific Aortic Valve Disease. Dr. Morrison’s long-term goal is to develop a successful independent research program with strong emphasis on using molecular imaging techniques to facilitate mechanistic studies in preclinical models of disease in order to identify critical modulators of pathology that may be viable targets for novel clinical strategies.

Dr. Hongwei Yao was awarded a 12-month pilot project with the CPVB COBRE at the Ocean State Research Institute. Yao is currently appointed as an Associate Professor of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry (Research) at Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. He has more than 10 years research experience studying the pathogenesis and potential pharmacological interventions in chronic lung diseases using in vitro in cells including endothelial cells, in vivo in animals and ex vivo in human peripheral tissues. His pilot project is entitled Metabolic Dysregulation in Pulmonary Endothelial Dysfunction during Hyperoxic Lung Injury. The long-term goal of this study is to determine the molecular mechanisms of hyperoxic lung injury during the development of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD), as well as to identify the potential targets for therapeutic management for this disease.

Dr. Won-Kyung Cho was awarded a 5 month pilot project with the CPVB COBRE at the Ocean State Research Institute. Cho is currently an Assistant Professor Medicine – Pulmonary at Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and an attending at the Providence VA Medical Center. Her pilot project is entitled Interleukin-13-mediated mechanisms of pulmonary vascular remodeling. Cho’s proposal provides an innovative concept of the possible interplay between inflammatory and metabolic processes, which would shed greater insights into the pathogenesis of PAH. The ultimate goal is to apply for independent funding for further development of this project including a possible clinical trial.