VRIC Program Taking Shape

Jan 21, 2019 Re-posted from the January 2019 issue of Vascular Specialist

Registration is now open for The SVS’s Vascular Research Initiatives Conference (VRIC) 2019. VRIC will be held this year on May 13 in Boston, Mass., the day before the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Vascular Discoveries meeting (previously known as ATVB meeting). VRIC is the premier vascular venue for emerging vascular science and translational research important to vascular patients, and VRIC welcomes both clinicians and clinician scientists interested in developing future therapeutics and devices for vascular patients.

VRIC’s theme this year is “Hard Science: Calcification & Vascular Solutions.” VRIC presenters also have the opportunity to present their work on Tuesday night as a poster at Vascular Discoveries.

“We are particularly excited to host VRIC in Boston, which has such a rich tradition for vascular surgery. As such, the SVS Research and Education Committee is working with the AHA and our local programming committee to provide cutting-edge scientific sessions and social programming to best assist both junior and established surgeon investigators to pursue meaningful research and form collaborations broadly with world renowned scientists,” said Dr. Luke Brewster, committee chair.

“On behalf of the R&E committee, we are particularly grateful to vascular surgeons Peter Henke, Keith Ozaki and Raul Guzman for help integrating SVS members and vascular topics into Vascular Discoveries and for help establishing the local program committee for this destination event for vascular surgeon-scientists,” he added.

Highlights of VRIC include:

VRIC abstract sessions:

  • Aortopathies and novel vascular devices
  • Vascular regeneration, stem cells and wound healing
  • Mechanisms and advanced therapies for venous disease
  • Atherosclerosis, arterial injury and diabetes, a session designed to be of interest through the vascular surgeon community

Updates from young vascular surgeon-scientists on KO8 projects:

  • Mohamed Zayed, MD, PhD; Washington University
  • Karen Woo, MD, MS; University of California Los Angeles

Alec Clowes Lecture:

  • Cecilia Giachelli, PhD, will present the Third Annual Alexander W. Clowes Distinguished Lecture. She is the W. Hunter and Dorothy Simpson Endowed Chair of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Washington. She is an expert in vascular calcification, the past-president of North American Vascular Biology (NAVBO) and a friend/colleague of the late Dr. Clowes.

Translational Session: Hard Science: Calcification and Vascular Solutions

  • VRIC’s translational session will include keynote presentations from experts in vascular calcification and provide a forum for attendee input into solutions for this crippling problem. Vascular calcification experts Raul Guzman, MD, Dwight Towler MD, PhD, and Elena Aikawa MD, PhD will speak on the knowns and unknowns of this devastating disease.

“We are emphasizing that this venue is the place to discuss your research and develop your professional networks throughout the day,” said Dr. Brewster. Specifically, and new to VRIC 2019, organizers plan a “walk-about lunch” during which attendees can mingle between tables and preview VRIC posters prior to the cocktail reception that evening. “VRIC provides a forum for re-visiting old friendships and initiating new ones for dedicated surgeon-scientists of all ages,” said Dr. Brewster. “By liberating the lunch hour, we hope to create an additional hour for networking and scientific discussion for our attendees.” For more information, visit vsweb.org/VRIC19.

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