Russell Tracy, Ph.D., University of Vermont professor of pathology and biochemistry and director of the Laboratory for Clinical Biochemistry Research, will present his 2009-10 University Scholar lecture at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22 in Memorial Lounge in UVM's Waterman Building.

Titled "Inflammation, Atherosclerosis and Aging: the Inflammation Hypothesis of Aging," Tracy's lecture will review the role of inflammation in atherosclerosis — a buildup of fat deposits, cholesterol, and other substances in the arteries that can lead to the blood clot formation and blocked blood flow that cause heart attacks and strokes — an area that his laboratory has specialized in and contributed to through molecular, cellular, and genetic epidemiology work in a variety of fields.

Tracy's talk will also introduce the concept of the "inflammation hypothesis of aging," which suggests that the cumulative lifetime burden of our own inflammatory responses, while critically important to short-term survival, plays a major role in the aging process itself. Discussion will include individual organ function deterioration and related multi-organ system-wide consequences, the relationship between rate of decline and responses to environmental stresses, as well as an examination of diseases from the perspective of organ-specific accelerated aging with systemic ramifications.

Sponsored by UVM's Graduate College, the University Scholars program recognizes distinguished UVM faculty members for sustained excellence in research and scholarly activities. The Scholars are selected by a panel of prominent faculty, based upon nominations submitted by UVM colleagues. For more information about the program, visit University Scholars Program.