I hope everyone is enjoying the signs of spring and finding a little renewed energy this time of year. Spring is a time for revived growth and planning, and one of our duties as NAVBO members is to help shape what comes next. With that in mind, I want to encourage you to take a few minutes to participate in the survey for our 2027 Virtual Workshop. Your input helps us build programs that reflect the questions, approaches, and areas of excitement that matter most to our field. I also want to remind our trainees to consider building their vascular biology background by attending Vasculata this year in Buffalo. It is a terrific opportunity to learn, connect, and spend focused time
thinking about vascular biology in a setting designed with trainees in mind. At the same time, I hope members at all career stages will consider taking advantage of NAVBO’s new Mentoring Program, which is another important way we are working to strengthen connections across our community. And if you have been looking for a way to get more involved, please see below for current volunteer opportunities with NAVBO. This society is at its best when members step forward, and I am grateful to all of you who help make that happen.
Best regards,
Wayne Orr, PhD
President, NAVBO
NAVBO Committees Seeking Volunteers
Are you passionate about the vascular biology community and looking for ways to make a meaningful impact? We are excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for committee volunteers, and we invite you to apply! Applications are May 15, 2026.
Whether you're brand-new to NAVBO or a long-time member, we're looking for volunteers to serve on our Communications, Communities, Education, Growth and Enrichment and Membership Committees.
Volunteering for a committee is a rewarding experience that allows you to contribute your skills, ideas, and expertise to important initiatives. It's also a fantastic opportunity to network with other NAVBO members and grow both personally and professionally.
The following committees are seeking new members: Communications Committee Communities Committee Education Committee Growth and Enrichment Committee Membership Committee
Please note: Membership in a committee is limited to active NAVBO members. Apply by May 15, 2026
Vascular Connections
NAVBO's Mentoring Program
Join the NAVBO Vascular Connections Mentoring Program and become part of a dynamic community where trainees and early-career professionals are paired with experienced mentors to support career growth, skill development, and meaningful networking.
Whether you are looking to guide the next generation or gain insight into your own career path, we invite mentors and mentees to complete the forms on the links below.
If you would like to be a mentor, please fill out the Mentor Form
If you would like to be a mentee, please fill out the Mentee Form
(Yes, you can be both a mentor and a mentee!)
Mentees are also encouraged to attend an informational session to learn more about the program, how to build a successful mentoring relationship, and the opportunities it offers.
What lies ahead for life science trainee support in FY2027?
The US Executive branch has released its proposed federal budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, which begins October 1. While details about specific programs or policy changes are absent, the proposal calls for a decrease of ~$5 billion in the NIH budget, which had survived the political turbulence of 2025 at a total of ~$46 billion. The proposal calls for major cuts to several NIH centers, institutes, and long-standing priorities, but as written does not contain the draconian 40% overall cut floated in the previous budget cycle. The reality of cuts already made, together with uncertainty stemming from looming budget debates and obstacles to international grad students accessing education in the US, pose thorny challenges to US universities and trainees alike.
NAVBO Competition
Got something exciting to share with the vascular community? Now’s your chance! Post your original content, research highlights, images, or any other interesting material on the NAVBO Vascular Network Community platform. This is your opportunity to contribute and engage with fellow members!
Prize: NAVBO-branded swag!
How to participate: • Minimum: 1 original post, 1 like, and 1 comment • The member with the highest engagement wins!
Are you interested in organizing the Pre-Conference Meeting for Trainees at Vascular Biology 2027? NAVBO has been holding this trainee-led session since 2015 and the program has often included a featured speaker, panel discussion, career development and/or a social time with refreshments but most importantly, presentations of several abstracts authored by postdocs and graduate students (these authors will be presenting posters during the main portion of the meeting).
If you are interested in organizing the four-hour session for trainees that will kick off Vascular Biology 2027 (NAVBO’s Annual Meeting), please complete the online form.
The meeting will be held in New England, October 17-21, 2027
The meeting organizers will review the applications and select the trainee organizers.
Applications are due April 15, 2026.
Lessons Learned
Li Lai, Ph.D.
Dr. Lai reflects on the challenges and rewards of starting an independent academic career, emphasizing persistence through setbacks - especially in grant funding, and the importance of writing early and often. She highlights embracing new technologies, strategic realism in research and mentoring, and disciplined prioritization of time to build a focused and sustainable research program. Overall, Dr. Lai encourages optimism, adaptability, and concentrating on controllable factors to grow a distinct and impactful scientific career. Click here to read more.
Lab of the Month
This month we’re highlighting the lab of Dr. Li Lai, Assistant Professor of Cardiovascular Sciences at Houston Methodist Research Institute. The Lai lab uses a multidisciplinary approach to unravel the molecular mechanisms that contribute to physiological and pathological angiogenesis.
Find out more about her lab by visiting her page in our Lab of the Month listing.
2027 Virtual Workshop on . . .
Please help us decide what topic to cover in our February 2027 Virtual Workshop. Past workshops include:
Developmental Vascular Biology
Mechanotransduction Workshop
Specification of Endothelial Cell Phenotypes
Once again we would like to ask for your input as we plan for the 2027 workshop.
These are the four topics that the NAVBO Council would like you to consider:
Bioengineered Blood Vessels
Inflammation and Leukocyte Trafficking
Mural Cells in Pathophysiology
Vascular Development, Repair and Aging
What topic and its historic perspective would be the most relevant to the NAVBO Community? Feel free to suggest another topic - we may consider it for future workshops.
IVBM 2026 | 6-10 September 2026 | Adelaide, South Australia
IVBM 2026 is now ready to accept your abstract submissions for oral and poster presentations. We invite you to share your insights and innovation across a wide range of topics including, but not limited to: Blood and lymphatic vascular development, vascular heterogeneity, genetic and epigenetic regulation of endothelial cell identity, immune cell trafficking via the vasculature, vascular engineering, emerging technologies and diseases of the vasculature.
Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of the 2026 Meeting Program - abstract submissions close on 15 May 2026, 11:59pm ACST.
NAVBO is sponsoring Travel Awards for its trainee members (students or postdocs) to attend this year's IVBM in Adelaide, Australia.
If you would like to apply for an award, pleasecomplete this form after submitting your abstract to the IVBM.
Criteria and additional information is at the top of the form.
Applications are due May 18, 2026 by 11:59pmET.
Did You Know . . .
You Can Access these Recordings at Anytime?
The NAVBO Education Committee's Career Development Forums can be found on our web site under Resources.
Member News
Welcome to our New Members:
Pardis Amini, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Leticia Barssotti dos Santos, University of Campinas
William Gillespie III, University of Virginia
Tucker Hallmark, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
Jiung Jung, UT Southwestern Medical Center
MD Emamul Kabir. University at Buffalo, SUNY
Ayoung Kim, Washington University in St. Louis
Ozlem Tufanli Kireccibasi, NYU Grossman School of Medicine
David Madukwe, Clemson University
Aitak Mosen Harzandi, The Ohio State University
Lihua Pan, Temple University
Paramita Pati, Augusta University
Carolyn Shult, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Wei Sun, University of California San Diego
Vincent Tutino, University at Buffalo
Jingqiang Wang, University of British Columbia
Recent Member Publications
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
Industry News
Application open for 2026 NOMIS & Science Young Explorer Award
The NOMIS & Science Young Explorer Award recognizes and rewards early-career M.D., Ph.D., or M.D./Ph.D. scientists who perform research at the intersection of the social and life sciences. Essays from applicants describing their recent work are judged for clarity, scientific quality, creativity, and demonstration of cross-disciplinary approaches to address fundamental questions. A cash prize of up to US $15,000 will be awarded to essay winners, and their essays will be published in Science. Winners will also be invited to share their work with leading scientists in their respective fields at an award ceremony. Applications are due by May 15, 2026. See www.science.org/nomis for additional information.
NIH clarifies requirements for basic science studies with human subjects
The NIH has developed a Frequently Asked Questions page for investigators planning applications with Basic Experimental Studies with Humans (BESH) on or after May 25, 2026, clarifying that the information in NOT-OD-26-032 only applies to basic science studies/BESH and not to other types of NIH funded clinical trials. For due dates on or after May 25, 2026, NIH will no longer consider BESH to be clinical trials. However, BESH must continue to comply with all other applicable laws and regulations applicable to protection of human subjects and the NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy.
NASEM workshop on AI in Genomics and Precision Health
Can Artificial Intelligence reshape genomic research and decision-making in the clinical setting? What safeguards are needed to ensure these tools are trustworthy, accurate, and effective? A National Academies' Roundtable on Genomics and Precision Health public workshop in October 2025 explored current and future applications of AI in genomics and precision health from translational research to clinical applications. The proceedings of the workshop are available for download here.
Call for Papers
Frontiers In Cardiovascular Medicine Frontiers in Atherosclerosis Research 2026: From Emerging Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Innovations
A NAVBO sponsored Research Topic
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 2 July 2026
Frontiers In Cardiovascular Medicine Frontiers in Signaling and Post-Translational Modification (PTM) Research
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 5 July 2026
Frontiers In Cardiovascular Medicine
Advances in Vascular Malformations: From Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms to Clinical Therapies and Management A NAVBO sponsored Research Topic
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:
The deadline for manuscript submission is June 14, 2026.
Header image credit: Dr. Elisa Boscolo
Frontiers In Cardiovascular Medicine Cardiovascular Mechanobiology: Molecular Mechanisms, Disease Pathogenesis, and Therapeutic Opportunities
A NAVBO sponsored Research Topic
This Research Topic aims to bring together cutting-edge original research and comprehensive reviews that highlight the central role of mechanobiology in cardiovascular health and disease. By bridging fundamental mechanobiology with translational science, we seek to foster innovation in both the foundational understanding of mechanotransduction and the development of next-generation diagnostics and therapeutics.
Specific areas of interest are listed on the webpage
The deadline for manuscript submission is April 29, 2026.
This collection focuses on the biochemical determinants and risk factors that contribute to the sex differences in cardiovascular disease initiation, development, presentation, and diagnosis. Specific areas of interest include coronary disease, microvascular dysfunction, hormonal and non-hormonal mechanisms of sex-related cardio protection, vascular biomechanics, and impacts of gender (as distinct from biological sex) and related lifestyle on cardiovascular health. The topic editors are Drs. Irena Levitan, University of Illinois Chicago, Catherine Martel, Universite de Montreal, and Benard Ogola, Augusta University. Frontiers | Exploring Sex-Specific Cardiovascular Health: Risk Factors and Molecular Insights. Submission Deadline: July 30, 2026
North American Vascular Biology Organization 18501 Kingshill Road Germantown, MD 20874-2211 (301) 760-7745 info@navbo.org
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