The 2026 SVS Foundation award recipients are: 

2026 SVS Foundation and American College of Surgeons Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23) 

Andrew Gonzalez, MD, JD, MPH
Indiana University 
Project title: An intelligent clinical decision support system for peripheral arterial disease

Clinical Research Seed Grants

Brianna M. Krafcik, MD 
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
Project title: Enhancing Shared Decision-Making for Patients with Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis

Gregory Westin, MD, MAS
Indiana University School of Medicine
Project title: Combined Heat and Compression Therapy for Neuroischemic Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Pilot Study

James S. T. Yao Resident Research Award

Michael Fassler, MD
General Surgery Resident and Research Fellow
University of Florida
Abstract title: Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibition attenuates abdominal aortic aneurysm formation via enhanced macrophage-dependent efferocytosis

Mentor: Gilbert Upchurch, MD

Vascular Care for the Underserved Project Grant – Women’s Vascular Health

Katherine Reitz, MD and Natalie Sridharan, MD
University of Pittsburgh
Project title: Linking Reproductive History to Vascular Health: Understanding Peripheral Artery Disease Risk After Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes 

Vascular Care for the Underserved Project Grant – Women’s Vascular Health

Neva White DNP, CRNP, CDCES
Jefferson Health, Philadelphia, PA
Project title: Early Recognition of PAD Through Beauty Salons in High-Risk African American Communities

Vascular Research Initiatives Conference Trainee Awards

Majed Abdul-Samad, BSc
University of Toronto
Abstract title: Human Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque Extracellular Vesicles Modulate Macrophage Efferocytosis

Mentor: Kathryn Howe, MD, PhD

Apoorva Bhandari, MSc, MD
Oregon Health & Science University
Abstract title: Beyond Deficiency: Genotype-Specific Extracellular Matrix Disruption in Vascular Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome

Mentor: Sherene Shalhub, MD, MPH

Erin Risotto-Urbanowicz, MD, MPH
University of New Mexico
Abstract title: Dietary Ocean Nanoplastics Atherogenesis and Organ Accumulation Varies by Time and Diet Type in ApoE-/- Mice

Mentor: Ross Clark, MD

Sama N. Salih
University of Michigan Medical School 
Abstract title: The Histone Acetyltransferase MOF Regulates Macrophage Inflammation During Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Development

Mentor: Frank Davis, MD

Student Research Fellowship Awards

Jiaying Bi
Thomas Jefferson University
Project Title: A 3D-Printed Enclosure to Improve Precision and Reduce Tearing in Laser Fenestration of Endovascular Grafts

Mentor: Babak Abai, MD

Mikayla M. Fraunfelder
University of Missouri School of Medicine
Project Title: Investigating the predictive value of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in assessment of aortic dissection risk and aortic aneurysm management

Mentor: Jonathan Bath, MD

Havard Lambert 
Medical University of South Carolina
Project Title: Plasma Analysis of Human Aortic Pathology Markers in Thoracic Versus Abdominal Aneurysm

Mentor: Jean Marie Ruddy MD

Sai Prasada Rao Manikonda         
Baylor College of Medicine
Project Title: National Trends in Acute Limb Ischemia: A Comparison of Survival and Limb Salvage in Endovascular vs. Open Treatments

Mentor: Jayer Chung, MD

Rahee Patel
Loyola Stritch School of Medicine
Project Title: Sex and Thrombospondin Regulation of PCSK9 in Hindlimb Ischemia

Mentor: Vivian Gahtan, MD

Beckett Peterson
Stanford University
Project Title: Mechanistic Links Between Endograft Coverage, False Lumen Thrombosis, and Aortic Degeneration Following TEVAR

Mentor: Elizabeth Leigh George, MD

Jared Salrin
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Project Title: The long-term comparative effectiveness of endovascular therapy and lower extremity bypass for Chronic Limb Threatening Ischemia based upon the anatomic severity of femoropopliteal occlusive disease

Mentor: William P. Robinson, MD

Shaan Sekhon
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Harvard Medical School
Project Title: Network-Guided RNA Therapeutic Targets to Improve Prosthetic Bypass Graft Patency

Mentor: Patric Liang, MD

Neil Sharukh Shroff
University of Virginia
Project Title: Targeted Peptide Amphiphile Nanofibers for the Treatment of Atherosclerosis

Mentor: Melina R. Kibbe, MD

Rebecca Anne Skolnick
University of Rochester
Project Title: Changes in Aortic Compliance After the NECTRO Procedure

Mentor: Doran Mix, MD

Camber Smith
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Project Title: TNF-alpha reduces Jarid1c expression in diabetic macrophages impairing wound repair

Mentor: Katherine Gallagher, MD

Ziheng Wang
University of Washington
Project Title: Engineered iPSC-Derived Endothelial Cell Secretome Modulates Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Function to Suppress Neointimal Hyperplasia

Mentor: Gale L. Tang, MD

VOYAGE Scholarships 

Roberto Aru, MD
Thomas Jefferson 

Tiffany Bellomo, MD
Massachusetts General Hospital  

Juliet Blakeslee-Carter, MD
The University of Alabama at Birmingham 

Christopher Cappellini, DO, MS, RPVI
Hackensack Meridian Health 

Edward Gifford, MD
Hartford HealthCare 

Kara Hessel, DO, RPVI
University of Kansas Medical Center 

Vivian Ho, MD, MS
Kaiser Permanente Northern California  

Amber Kernodle, MD, PhD, MPH
Brigham and Women's Hospital 

Young Kim, MD
Duke University 

Chun Li, MD, MPH
Medical University of South Carolina 

Nathan Liang, MD
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center 

Iris Liu, MD
University of California, San Francisco 

Colby Meinke, MD
Maine Health 

Bianca Mulaney-Topkar, MD
Massachusetts General Hospital 

Alaska Pendleton, MD, MPH
University of Rochester Medical Center 

Justin Robbins, MD
University of Maryland 

Scott Robinson, MD, PhD
Maine Health 

Indrani Sen, MBBS
Mayo Clinic Health Systems 

Christine Shokrzadeh, MD
University of Texas Medical Branch 

Bjoern D. Suckow, MD, MS
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center 

Nadia Oliveira Trabelsi, MD
University of Montreal 

Zachary Wanken, MD, MS 
Washington University in St. Louis 

Tahlia Weis, MD 
Mayo Clinic Health System 

Overview

The Society for Vascular Surgery Foundation’s Enrico Ascher Vascular Innovation Institute is a national innovation initiative designed to accelerate the next generation of breakthroughs in vascular care.

Built for vascular surgeons with transformative ideas, the Institute provides structured education, expert mentorship, strategic industry and investor engagement and early-stage funding support to help move promising concepts from clinical insight to real-world impact.

The Institute reflects the SVS Foundation’s commitment to strengthening the future of vascular surgery by investing in physician-led innovation, commercialization education, and cross-sector collaboration. The SVS Foundation is uniquely positioned to advance vascular innovation by combining scientific credibility, clinical expertise, national reach, and strategic industry collaboration within one trusted professional community.

The Institute is generously supported by Dr. Enrico Ascher and Dr. Natalie Ascher. Learn more about Dr. Ascher’s legacy.

Why the Institute Matters

Developed in partnership with the SVS Research Council and the SVS Innovation Task Force, the Institute creates a dedicated pathway for innovators working to solve critical challenges in vascular care.

Vascular surgeons are uniquely positioned to identify unmet clinical needs — but many lack access to the infrastructure, mentorship and commercialization pathways needed to advance innovative solutions. The Enrico Ascher Vascular Innovation Institute was created to help bridge that gap.

By connecting clinicians with experienced advisors, educators, investors and industry leaders, the Institute aims to:

• Accelerate physician-led innovation in vascular care 
• Support the translation of ideas into scalable solutions 
• Expand innovation education within the vascular community 
• Foster collaboration across medicine, research, technology, and industry 
• Build a long-term innovation ecosystem within vascular surgery 

One Fund. One Goal.

The future of vascular surgery depends on more than clinical excellence. It requires sustained investment in research, education, leadership development, and innovation across the specialty.

That’s exactly what the SVS Foundation Annual Fund makes possible.

Through the Annual Fund, member support becomes a powerful, flexible investment in the field—helping fund the programs, people and ideas that move vascular surgery forward. Our goal is to raise $250,000 this year to expand that impact and create even more opportunities across the specialty.

What is the Annual Fund? 

The Annual Fund is the primary way members can support the SVS Foundation through flexible charitable giving.

Why does it matter? 

Unlike gifts designated for a single program, Annual Fund contributions allow the Foundation to direct resources where they are needed most—and where they can make the greatest impact.

What your support makes possible:

• Research that advances patient care
• Education and training for the next generation
• Leadership development for emerging vascular surgeons
• Innovative ideas that strengthen and grow the specialty

We invite you to learn more about how your support is making a difference—and consider making your Annual Fund gift today.

Make a Donation