Current Research Projects

The VCCBH supports Research Project Leaders to conduct research that aligns with the Center’s mission and that propels them to independence using team-based, interdisciplinary mentorship from Senior Mentors and Peer Mentors who have recently attained independence.

Project: Determining How Amyloid-Beta Fibril Polymorphism Influences Cellular Toxicity

Project Description

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Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) are debilitating diseases that can lead to memory loss, cognitive decline and dementia. A pathological hallmark of CAA and AD is the formation of plaques composed of amyloid-β (Aβ) fibrils in blood vessels and brain.  Structural variants of fibrils, termed polymorphs, have been detected in human tissues and are thought to contribute differently to the pathophysiology of these diseases.  However, the causal relationship between fibril structure and cellular toxicity remains largely unknown. To evaluate this relationship, we will use novel chemical imaging and electrochemical sensing methods to directly monitor the structural dynamics, aberrant interactions, and toxic activities of different Aβ fibril polymorphs in human tissues and animal models of CAA.  Successful completion of this project will ultimately provide information that guides the rational design of drugs to limit the formation and toxic interactions of Aβ fibril polymorphs in people with CAA and AD. 

Project Figure

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Image showing the use of Raman spectroscopy to evaluate the structure of amyloid- polymorphs and their interactions with cell membranes.

Project Mentorship Team

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Senior Mentor
Marilyn Cipolla, PhD

Senior Mentor 
Mark Nelson, PhD

Peer Mentor
Osama Harraz, PhD

External Mentor
Jennifer Lee, PhD

Project: Cardiovascular Health and Inflammation: Intersectional Impact of Structural Racism, Structural Sexism, and Structural Classism

Project Description

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Poor cardiovascular health (CVH) is an important cause of heart disease and stroke. Inflammation from poor CVH may be a reason for this. In the U.S., people of different races, genders, income, and education levels have different CVH and levels of blood measures of inflammation. This may be due to structural oppressions like racism, sexism, and classism. Dr. Kamin Mukaz's research will reveal how structural racism, sexism, and classism are linked to CVH and inflammation in Black and White women and men of the U.S. REGARDS study. She will look over 10 years at the effects of structural oppressions on CVH and on 92 blood measures of inflammation.

Project Figure

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Diagram showing how structural oppressions may influence inflammation that can lead to poor cardiovascular health

Project Mentorship Team

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Project: Risk Prediction and Inflammatory Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Disease in Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Project Description

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Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) are blood cancers caused by acquired mutations in cells of the bone marrow that give rise to blood cells (bone marrow progenitors). These mutations also cause excess inflammation in blood vessels and risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which are a large source of complications and mortality in patients with MDS. Dr. Adrianzen Herrera’s previous work has described that MDS patients have a high risk for CVD and death from CVD. His current project has two goals. First, he will develop and validate a clinical tool to predict risk of CVD in patients with MDS. Second, he will study biomarker changes in the blood in people with MDS. The ultimate goal is to understand why people with MDS develop CVD and how this can be prevented. 

Project Figure

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Image showing how patients with myelodysplastic Syndromes (blood cancers) are at high risk for cardiovascular disease.

Project Mentorship Team

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Senior Mentor
Neil Zakai, MD, MSc

Senior Mentor
Ira Bernstein, MD

Peer Mentor
Nels Olson, PhD

External Mentor
Pamela Lutsey, PhD, MPH