NIH Funds Cadiovascular Disease Research
Tina Rinker, an assistant professor in chemical engineering, received an NIH award of $1 million over four years to investigate the role of hypertension in atherosclerosis. Cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of death in the United States, and atherosclerosis has been demonstrated to be a primary factor in up to 75% of cardiovascular disease occurrences. Rinkers work focuses on growing cells that line human arteries, endothelial cells, under blood flow conditions similar to those found in human arteries. She uses this model system to investigate the effects of flow rate, pressure and biochemicals on endothelial physiology to better understand the disease process and develop mitigation strategies. Similar work is also funded by a Whitaker Foundation New Investigator in Biomedical Engineering Award for $240,000 over three years.