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View this Newsletter Online |
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September 2026 |
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President's Message |
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Dear NAVBO Members,
I hope everyone is settling smoothly into the new routines that come with the start of another academic year.
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a substantial portion of the vascular biology community. Please share any science policy or funding news, open comment periods, or policy changes by sending an email to advocacy@navbo.org. You can see their update below regarding the open comment period related to changes in the grant review process.
Warmly, Cynthia St. Hilaire, PhD, FAHA President, NAVBO |
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2026 Springer Awardee Announced |
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Congratulations to Xiaolei Liu! Xiaolei Liu, Ph.D., Temple University, is the recipient of the 2026 Springer Award. Dr. Liu will give the Springer Junior Investigator Award Lecture titled, “TGFβ-Mediated Metabolic Regulation of Cardiac Lymphatics After Myocardial Infarction,“ on October 21 at Vascular Biology 2026 in Monterey, California.
The Springer Junior Investigator Award is supported by “Angiogenesis,” published by Springer Nature. |
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Meet One of Our New Councilors |
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Dr. Joshua Wythe My name is Joshua Wythe and I’ve been an Associate Professor in the Departments of Cell Biology and Neuroscience at the University of Virginia School of Medicine since 2023 (before that I was at Baylor College of Medicine from 2014-2023). I’ve been a NAVBO member since I was a graduate student in Dean Li’s lab when I attended my first vascular biology workshop at Asilomar in 2012, and I am excited to serve an organization, and its membership, that has provided me with numerous career opportunities and guidance over the past 15 years. |
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I am currently serving as the Director of Graduate Studies for the Cell and Developmental Biology Graduate Program at UVA, and am an active member in the CVRC and thriving scientific community generated by several of my NAVBO colleagues at UVA (Brant Isakson, Gary Owens, Karen Hirschi, and many, many more). While our lab predominantly studies RAS-MAPK signaling in vascular malformations, we have a deep interest in the cerebral vasculature, and we develop novel genetic tools and imaging methods to study diseases impacting these vessels. I look forward to contributing to the mission of NAVBO during my term as a councilor! |
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Submit Comment to NIH RFI on Peer Review Outcomes |
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NIH recently released a Request for Information (RFI) on "Proposed Changes to Reporting Outcomes from NIH Peer Review." The proposal includes sorting applications into one of three categories: "most competitive," "competitive," or "not discussed.” It is proposed that these impact categories be released in lieu of final impact scores or percentiles. Specifics about how grants are prioritized would be withheld from applicants, and from NIH program staff, Institute and Center leadership, and Advisory Councils. These proposed changes would breed uncertainty, reduce transparency, and compromise accountability in the peer review process. We urge you to consider submitting a comment before the October 13th deadline. |
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Trainee Travel Awards |
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Travel Funds Available for NAVBO Trainee Members NAVBO will help fund NAVBO trainee members to attend small (200 participants or less), non-NAVBO, conferences of the member's choice, rather than NAVBO restricting it to certain conferences. Applicants must submit an abstract to an eligible meeting. Support will be up to $500 and a limited number of awards are available.
Additional information and an application can be found on our web site at https://navbo.org/Trainee-Awards. |
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Spotlight on Trainees |
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NIH Loan Repayment Program applications are open The NIH has begun accepting applications for the Extramural Loan Repayment Program (LRP) as of September 1, 2026. Awardees can receive up to $100,000 in qualified educational debt repayment with a two-year award. To learn more about eligibility requirements, application deadline dates, and the benefits of receiving an LRP award, visit the LRP website and attend one of the upcoming informational events: October 6 – LRP Technical Assistance Webinar; November 10 – LRP Ask Me Anything Session. |
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Mark your calendars! |
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Vascular Development, Repair, and Aging February 16-18, 2027 A virtual conference sponsored by NAVBO and organized by Irena Levitan, University of Illinois Chicago; Youyang Zhao, Northwestern University |
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The vascular system is fundamental to the health and function of every tissue. Understanding how blood vessels develop, change with aging, and respond to injury is essential for advancing our knowledge of vascular diseases and developing new therapeutic strategies. This workshop will trace the evolution of our understanding of vascular development, aging, and repair, highlighting landmark discoveries, pivotal experimental approaches, and emerging therapeutic strategies that have shaped the field from its origins to the present day. The program will emphasize how fundamental discoveries in vascular biology can be translated into new approaches to prevent, treat, or reverse diseases caused by vascular dysfunction. |
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Vascular Biology 2026 |
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Technology Showcase at Vascular Biology 2026 Lucid Scientific makes Resipher, a continuous mitochondrial respiration monitoring technology for live cells, tissues, and small model organisms including zebrafish embryos. The sensing lid sits on a standard 96-well plate inside your incubator or hypoxic chamber, tracking metabolic shifts for days or weeks without labels and without disturbing the cells. Learn more at Vascular Biology 2026 during their session “Live, Long-term Mitochondrial Respiration with Resipher” on October 20 at 3:45 p.m.! |
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Thanks to Our Co-Sponsor and Supporters of Vascular Biology 2026 |
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Did You Know . . . |
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Lab of the Month |
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This month we’re highlighting the lab of Dr. Ondine Cleaver, Lee Fikes Professor in Biomedical Sciences at UT Southwestern Medical Center. The Cleaver lab investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying cell fate specification during blood vessel development and organogenesis.
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Member News |
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Welcome to our New Members: Hannah Brunsdon, Hannah Brunsdon Dylan Cook, University of Chicago Mei-Zhen Cui, Texas Tech Health Science Center Raffaella De Paolo, University of Edinburgh Amber Estor, University of Michigan Hongchao Guo, University of Utah Scott Kemp, University of South Florida Arisa Khan, The Heartbeat Clinic Ki Hong Lee, European Center for Angioscience & German Cancer Research Center Ulia Lopatin, The University of California, Irvine Noura Massri, Yale University Marcella Neves Datilo, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Julian Nicenboim, Duke University Natalie Rowland, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/NIH Omar Rodriguez Moncivais, University of New Mexico Jocelynda Salvador, Biohub Yuhan Sun, Children's Hospital Los Angeles/University of Southern California Anny Tran, Seattle Children's Research Institute Yiling Tsang, Institute of Developmental & Regenerative Medicine Josh J. Wang, The State University of New York at Buffalo Kai Wang, Peking University Ruey-Bing Yang, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica Rana Znaidi, Institut Cochin |
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Recent Member Publications |
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The calcium pump ATP2B1/PMCA1 regulates CNS vascular development by facilitating Norrin- and WNT7A/B-induced Frizzled4 signaling Frizzled4 (FZD4) is a receptor for Norrin and WNT7A/B ligands, is expressed in endothelial cells (ECs), is required for endothelial blood-central nervous system (CNS) barrier function as well as CNS angiogenesis, and transduces β-catenin-dependent signaling. Read More
Understanding Physiological Adaptations of Pregnancy to the Chronic Hypoxia of High Altitude to Inform Obstetrical and Neonatal Care The chronic hypoxia experienced by high-altitude residents profoundly impacts pregnancy, influencing maternal health, placental function, and the growth and development of the fetus. Exposure to chronic hypoxia during pregnancy increases the risk of complications like preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction and has lasting effects on offspring, extending from infancy to adulthood. Read More
If you recently published a paper and would like to have it included in a future issue of the NAVBO NewsBEAT and/or on our web site. Please send the citation to membership@navbo.org |
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Industry News |
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Applications invited for BII/Science Prize for Innovation Denmark’s BioInnovation Institute (BII) and Science magazine have joined forces to host an annual Prize for Innovation, to encourage scientists to translate their fundamental research findings toward practical applications. Up to three winners will have their entered essays published in Science and will be invited into BII’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, which to date has awarded nearly 100M euros to 100 start-up companies. In addition, the Grand Prize winner and finalists will receive cash prizes at an award ceremony in Copenhagen. Application materials are due November 1, 2026.
Novel therapeutic agent targeting Lp(a) disappoints in clinical trials Novartis announced on September 4 that its antisense oligonucleotide agent pelacarsen did not meet its primary endpoint of reducing the risk of cardiovascular events compared to placebo in its phase III Lp(a)HORIZON trial. Hopes have run high that lowering circulating Lp(a), which pelacarsen did indeed accomplish in the trial, would reduce cardiovascular risk. Various caveats attach to the findings, notably that the study population received guideline-directed treatments, including lipid lowering and antihypertensive therapies. Results are eagerly anticipated from ongoing large clinical trials testing other Lp(a)-directed agents developed by Amgen and Eli Lilly.
Are we entering an era of scientific expatriation? Kalohe Danbara, writing in The Scientist, explores the dilemma faced by scientists across the career-stage spectrum in reckoning with cuts and reprioritization of federal research funding in the US. Many of the ~25,000 scientists who lost their positions under the current administration have found new professional homes elsewhere. Germany’s government has launched the Global Minds Initiative, working with the Humboldt Foundation to attract researchers from around the world – including those who might otherwise have remained in the United States. US academic leaders lament the impacts of changes that will negatively affect both opportunities for international scholars and the pipeline of homegrown talent and ideas. |
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Call for Papers |
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Frontiers In Cardiovascular Medicine A NAVBO sponsored Research Topic
Topic Editors: Masanori Aikawa, Elena Aikawa, Prabhash Kumar Jha, Toshiaki Nakano, Annet Kirabo, and Masayuki Yoshida
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This Research Topic aims to provide a comprehensive platform for the discovery, integration, and translation of knowledge in cardio-kidney-metabolic disease. By bringing together molecular biology, systems medicine, epidemiology, and clinical research, it seeks to unravel shared mechanisms linking the cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic axes. The goal is to identify actionable biomarkers, refine predictive risk models, delineate therapeutic responsiveness, and promote personalized strategies that mitigate residual risk and improve long-term outcomes. Specific questions include how multiorgan interactions drive progression, how metabolic and immune signals intersect to affect cardiac and renal remodeling, and how emerging therapies modulate system-wide homeostasis. By encouraging cross-disciplinary collaborations, this Research Topic will help translate mechanistic insights into actionable precision medicine for CKM disease. Click here for more information. |
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Frontiers In Cardiovascular Medicine A NAVBO sponsored Research Topic |
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This Research Topic aims to highlight advances spanning the full continuum of atherosclerosis research, from fundamental science through translational research to clinical implementation. Areas of particular interest include novel molecular mechanisms, new therapeutic targets, and the use of single-cell and spatial technologies to dissect vascular and immune cell heterogeneity. We also welcome studies exploring epigenetic and non-coding RNA regulation, the roles of systemic metabolism and the gut microbiome, as well as sex-specific mechanisms in vascular disease. Click here for more information. Manuscript Submission Deadline is September 29, 2026 |
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Frontiers In Cardiovascular Medicine A NAVBO sponsored Research Topic
The complexity of signaling pathways and post‑translational modifications has expanded dramatically, yet translating these advances into cardiovascular medicine remains difficult due to chronic disease dynamics, resistance, and the overlapping nature of regulatory networks. Integrating AI‑driven modeling and machine learning offers a promising way to decode complex networks and inspire transformative directions for future research and clinical innovation. Therefore, this Research Topic is designed to provide a dedicated platform for transformative thinking, welcoming submissions that push boundaries and offer fresh perspectives on signaling and post-translational modification in health and disease. For more information, click here. Manuscript Submission Deadline is September 29, 2026 |
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Frontiers In Cardiovascular Medicine Advances in Vascular Malformations: From Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms to Clinical Therapies and Management
In this Research Topic, we aim to gather contributions from scientists and clinicians to share recent advances in our understanding of the biology and treatment of vascular malformations. Ultimately, our goal is to accelerate the development of new therapeutic treatments for patients with vascular malformations affecting blood or lymphatic vessels.
Specific areas of interest are listed on the webpage: Manuscript Submission Deadline is September 29, 2026. Header image credit: Dr. Elisa Boscolo |
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Frontiers In Cardiovascular Medicine A NAVBO sponsored Research Topic
Specific areas of interest are listed on the webpage Manuscript Submission Deadline is September 29, 2026. |
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Microcirculation |
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The goal of this special topic-issue is to highlight research focused on the bidirectional interactions of microvascular (dys)function and cardiometabolic disease. This may include the role of microvascular dysfunction in the development of cardiometabolic diseases, microvascular complications resulting from cardiometabolic disorders, metabolic regulation of vascular and parenchymal cells, and other closely related areas aimed at improving understanding, treatment, and prevention of microvascular perturbations in the face of cardiometabolic disease. This issue will be organized and edited by Stephen Hammond (Medical College of Wisconsin), Julie Leonard-Duke (Columbia University), and Reetu Singh (Harvard Medical School). The editors invite original research articles, focused reviews, and reports highlighting innovative approaches and methodologies for studying microvascular complications in cardiometabolic diseases. Articles can include in vivo, in vitro, or in silico approaches using preclinical or clinical model systems and should be 3,000-5,000 words (including figure legends, excluding references). Upon completion of peer review, accepted manuscripts will be published in Microcirculation ‘In Press’ and in the online special issue. Click here for more information. Manuscript Submission Deadline is March 1, 2027 |
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NAVBO Corporate Partners |
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NAVBO Corporate Member |
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Calendar of Events |
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Job Postings |
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