All of the Cardiovascular Medicine faculty members are actively engaged in cardiovascular research, with projects ranging from NIH-sponsored basic science studies of vascular biology to multi-center clinical trials examining the efficacy of new cardiovascular treatment modalities. The Division is assigned 4000 square feet of basic laboratory space within the combined University Hospital/Harry S Truman Medical Center. Division faculty members currently participate in 20 active clinical trials, which are supported by three full-time research nurses.

Dr William Fay’s laboratory, located in the University of Missouri Center for Diabetes and Cardiovascular Research, conducts experiments examining the roles of the blood clotting system in the pathogenesis of arterial thrombosis and vascular remodeling. These studies, funded by the National Institutes of Health, focus on the roles of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, vitronectin, tissue factor, and C-reactive protein in vascular disease.

Dmitri Baklanov, MD, PhD, an interventional cardiologist and translational investigator, conducts research focusing on the developmental biology of the coronary circulation. By examining the molecular and cellular regulation of coronary vasculogenesis, Dr. Baklanov hopes to identify new strategies for stimulating new blood vessel formation and treating patients with advanced coronary artery disease not amenable to standard revascularization approaches.

Kevin Dellsperger, MD, PhD, continues his longstanding research dealing with the control of the coronary circulation. In collaboration with R. Tom Thomas, PhD, Dr. Dellsperger studies the beneficial effects of physical exercise in obese individuals. Dr. Dellsperger also collaborates with Vince DeMarco, PhD, and James Sowers, MD , to study the role of the rennin-angiotensin system in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension.

Hongmin Sun, PhD, studies the role of the blood clotting system in human disease. An underlying concept of her research program is that the blood clotting system appears to function not only to prevent bleeding, but also to contain bacterial pathogens. Using a variety of cutting-edge molecular-genetic approaches, Dr. Sun and her research team are attempting to identify new compounds that can be used to treat or prevent streptococcal infections. Streptococci are a major cause of human disease, ranging from simple infections, such as streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat) to rheumatic fever, an important cause of human valvular heart disease. Dr. Sun’s research is funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Cuihua Zhang, MD, PhD, whose research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which diabetes mellitus, obesity and inflammation trigger endothelial cell dysfunction and vascular disease. In 2007 Dr. Zhang won the Werner Risau New Investigator Award from the American Heart Association. Her research program is funded by the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association.

In addition to studies performed by Cardiovascular Medicine Division faculty, a wide range of cardiovascular research takes place at Mizzou, performed by investigators within the following departments or centers: