Resident Research award in support of Calvin Chao MD, "Role of Sympathetic Nervous System Dysfunction in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Pathogenesis"

This research fellowship will specifically advance my experience with animal modeling as I investigate the pathogenesis of aortic aneurysmal disease and validate the safety and efficacy of perivascular devices. I will gain new insight and further expertise in designing clinically guided experiments for the investigation of disease processes I frequently encounter in a clinical capacity. The fellowship will additionally provide skills in rational biomaterial design and rigorous material characterization. My goal is to create new biotechnologies that are rapidly translatable to the clinical realm, for which an understanding of material development and selection are necessary. Taking these skills together, this fellowship will be a substantial step towards my goal of becoming a true vascular surgeon-scientist and bridge between clinical and research realms.