Fellowships Abound for BME Graduate Students Childers and Scheitlin

Rachel Childers and Christopher Scheitlin, both 2nd year graduate students in the BME Department at Ohio State, each won a 2013-2014 fellowship from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) to support their research projects for the upcoming academic year.  

Rachel is completing her research under Keith Gooch, Associate Professor BME.  Rachel's research proposal is titled, "In vitro model to investigate the effects of mechanical environment on differentiation to myofibroblasts during heart failure".  Her research is looking if the mechanical environment (stiffness and strain) of the failing heart promotes the fibroblast to myofibroblast phenotype transition.

Christopher is completing his research under Rita Alevriadou, Associate Professor BME and Cardivascular Medicine.  Christopher's research is on endothelial cell mechanotransduction and calcium homeostasis.  Understanding the pathways that regulate cystolic and mitochondrial calcium levels, and how these pathways are affected by mechanical forces exerted on cells, is of great importance in medicine/biology.  Almost every cardiovascular disease/condition, such as atherosclerosis and heart failure, are characterized by altered hemodynamic conditions and deregulated calcium homeostasis.   

Congratulations Rachel and Christopher!

To find out more abou the HHMI Med into GRAD Scholars Progam, click here.