The Cardiovascular Research Institute of Vermont (CVRI-VT) at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and Fletcher Allen Health Care introduced six 2014 Distinguished Investigators at its relaunch celebration on April 17. The event took place in the Marble Court at UVM’s Fleming Museum.

Founded in 2002 by the late Burton Sobel, M.D., University Distinguished Professor and former chair of medicine at UVM/Fletcher Allen, the CVRI-VT has been led by David Schneider, M.D., professor of medicine and director of cardiovascular services, since August 2013.

The CVRI-VT, a collaborative of cardiovascular researchers from a wide range of departments and disciplines across the university medical center, selected six members for the inaugural Distinguished Investigator award: Philip Ades, M.D., professor of medicine and director of cardiac rehabilitation and preventive cardiology; Joseph Brayden, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology; Martin LeWinter, M.D., professor of medicine and director of the heart failure and cardiomyopathy program; George Osol, Ph.D., professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences; Russell Tracy, Ph.D., professor of pathology and director of the UVM Laboratory for Clinical Biochemistry Research; and Kathleen Trybus, Ph.D., professor of molecular physiology and biophysics. Distinguished Investigators are appointed for five year terms, and will engage in and lead a number of initiatives during their tenure. Read more about the Distinguished Investigators.

“These six researchers represent a breadth and depth of expertise and experience that would be hard to match at any institution in the country,” says Schneider. “It is an honor to work with such an outstanding collaborative of physicians and scientists as we highlight excellence in cardiovascular research and foster development of the next generation of distinguished investigators.”

Among the CVRI’s goals are improving communication across disciplines, departments and colleges, and encouraging interdepartmental collaborations at UVM and Fletcher Allen. The Institute also aims to increase cardiovascular funding support and advance and highlight cardiovascular research excellence at national and international levels. The newly-invigorated Institute’s planned initiatives include monthly research forums featuring cardiovascular experts, beginning in fall 2014.

Learn more about the CVRI-VT.