MEMORANDUM

TO:        College of Medicine Faculty

FROM:   Teresa M. Reyes, PhD

                Senior Associate Dean of Basic and Translational Research

                Brett M. Kissela, MD, MS

                Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Research

DATE:   April 22, 2026

RE:      Gallery of Awardees

The CoM Office of Research understands the challenges of successfully competing for funding to support faculty research programs. We publicize those faculty who have been awarded external grants of $100,000/yr. or more in direct costs in a Gallery of Awardees. The Gallery is displayed in the CARE/Crawley Atrium and electronic posters will be posted on CoM digital signage.

Please note that it may take 2-3 months before the Gallery of Awardees recognizes new awards due to the processing of data.

Researchers currently featured are:

Tyler W. Benson, PhD, Postdoc Fellow

Department of Internal Medicine

Award: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute K99

Project Title: Hematopoietic Cells and Chemokine Regulation in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Associated Thrombosis 

Project Period: 8/1/2025-6/30/2027

Summary: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life‑threatening disease responsible for over 167,000 deaths worldwide each year, with women facing a significantly higher risk of rupture despite lower incidence rates. This research investigates how hematopoietic cells, inflammatory pathways, and genetic differences across sexes and ethnic groups contribute to AAA progression, with the goal of identifying new, targeted therapeutic strategies.

Christy K. Holland, PhD, Professor

Department of Internal Medicine

Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease

Award: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute R01

Project Title: Echogenic Targeted Liposomes: Transfection/Drug Delivery

Project Period: 9/8/2025-5/31/2029

Summary: This project develops an ultrasound‑guided therapy using pioglitazone‑loaded echogenic liposomes to enhance targeted drug delivery during vascular stent placement. By integrating with the FDA‑approved EKOS™ system, the approach to stabilize atherosclerotic plaques safely and improve long‑term blood flow in peripheral arterial disease.

Michelle Kossack, PhD, Assistant Professor

Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences

Award: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Award

Project Title: Identifying Critical Mediators of Ovarian and Cardiovascular Health

Project Period: 11/1/2025-10/31/2028

Summary: Environmental contaminant exposure contributes significantly to heart disease and infertility, yet its combined effects on cardiac and ovarian health remain poorly understood. This research examines how early‑life exposure to the toxin TCDD disrupts ovarian function and estrogen signaling, leading to long‑term cardiovascular harm. By identifying shared molecular targets in the heart and ovary, the study aims to inform new strategies for preventing heart disease and infertility linked to environmental exposures. 

William E. Miller, PhD, Professor

Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences

Award: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Award

Project Title: Role of the SFTA2/ADGRF5 Signaling Axis in Alveolar Homeostasis

Project Period: 9/1/2025-6/30/2029

Summary: This project investigates how the receptor ADGRF5 and surfactant‑binding protein SFTA2 regulate lung surfactant production and pulmonary homeostasis. Leveraging complementary expertise across National Jewish Health and the University of Cincinnati, the work integrates advanced signaling, biophysical surfactant analysis, and translational insight to identify mechanisms relevant to lung injury and therapeutic surfactant replacement.

Diego Perez-Tilve, PhD, Associate Professor

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neurobiology

Award: Indiana Biosciences Research Institute Award

Project Title: Development of Multi Receptor Agonists from the Treatment of Metabolic Diseases

Project Period: 11/10/2025-5/9/2026

Summary: The goal of this project is to evaluate in preclinical rodent models the feasibility of applying recent advances in medicinal chemistry and structural biology to the development of molecules exhibiting agonist activity on different G-protein coupled receptors, and their suitability for the treatment of obesity and related co-morbidities

Nina G. Steele, PhD, Assistant Professor

Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Award: National Cancer Institute Sub Award

Project Title: Investigating Cellular Communication in the Tumor Microenvironment in Pancreatic Cancer

Project Period: 7/26/2025-8/31/2026

Summary: Pancreatic tumors rely on blood vessels for growth, yet anti‑angiogenic therapies benefit only a subset of patients. Emerging evidence shows that SLIT‑ROBO signaling—altered in human pancreatic cancer—originates from fibroblasts and pericytes and targets the tumor vasculature. This research highlights SLIT‑ROBO signaling as a promising, patient‑specific pathway for improving vascular‑targeted therapies in pancreatic cancer.

Laurah Turner, PhD, Assistant Professor

Department of Medical Education

Award: American Medical Association Award

Project Title: Transforming Lifelong Learning Through Precision Education Grant Program

Project Period: 1/1/2026-12/31/2029

Summary: This project advances AI‑enabled, workplace‑based assessment by extending the proven 2‑Sigma platform—an AMA‑funded, UC‑developed system used in over 7,500 virtual patient encounters—into real clinical environments. By analyzing real clinician‑patient conversations captured via ambient audio (smart glasses and smartphones), the platform augments human feedback with continuous, personalized performance insights to transform clinical training.

Award: American Board of Internal Medicine Artificial Intelligence Award

Project Title: Using Artificial Intelligence to Explore Clinical Reasoning Behaviors

Project Period: 6/15/2025-6/14/2027

Summary: Assessing clinical reasoning is difficult due to limited direct observation, unclear standards, and bias‑prone methods. AI enables large‑scale analysis of simulated clinical encounters, offering precise insights into how learners make decisions. This approach supports earlier, more objective identification of gaps and targeted feedback to improve clinical reasoning.

Tongli Zhang, PhD, Associate Professor

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neurobiology.

Award: U.S. Army Contracting Command

Project Title: Developing an Effective Protocol to Build Credential Biomedical Models

Project Period: 2/1/2026-1/31/2029

Summary: This project aims to close a critical gap in biomedical modeling by developing a credible protocol for building and validating coagulation control models that reduce decision risk in military and civilian settings. Using a “learn by doing” approach, the work will integrate existing coagulation models with experimental data, Approximate Bayesian Computation, machine learning, and best practices in verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification. The resulting models and generalizable protocol will support informed decision‑making, advancing military readiness as well as personalized medicine, drug development, and biomedical research.