With an aim to highlight the best cardiovascular research work conducted by early-career scientists, the Cardiovascular Research Institute of Vermont (CVRI) virtually held its “Viridis Montis Early Career Investigator Challenge in Cardiovascular Disease” competition on February 3, 2021. Five finalists delivered oral abstract presentations before a panel of five invited judges, including Joseph Brayden, PhD, Jan Carney, MD, MPH, Martin LeWinter, MD, Nels Olson, PhD, and Alisa Wolberg, PhD. 

The annual merit-based scientific abstract competition was developed by the CVRI Early Career Advisory Committee.  All early-career cardiovascular investigators were eligible to apply, including Ph.D. and master’s degree students, medical students, postdoctoral fellows, residents and clinical fellows, and faculty within five years of their first appointment. Applications were reviewed by an abstract review committee and scored using American Heart Association abstract guidelines.  The top five advanced to the oral competition.  In addition to highlighting cardiovascular research, the applications emphasized a personal and professional commitment to good cardiovascular health and service.

1st Place - Amreen Mughal, PhD (mentor: Mark Nelson, PhD)
PIP2 supplementation improves cerebral blood flow in the 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

2nd Place - Samuel Short, BA (mentor: Neil Zakai, MD)
D-Dimer and death in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019

3rd Place - Zhaojin (Scarlett) Li, MS (mentor: Marilyn Cipolla, PhD)
Flow-induced shear stress causes endothelium-dependent vasodilation of leptomeningeal anastomoses from normotensive rats

Finalists - Abbie Johnson, PhD, Nicholas Klug, PhD

Watch the competition here! Passcode: zgTd1?Mc