Bicuspid Aortic Foundation Announces 2018 M.E. Abbott Scholarship

Lara Gharibeh, PhD, Arlys Velebir, BAF, Alice Lau, PhD
Lara was awarded the 2017 M.E. Abbott Scholarship
Alice is the recipient of the 2018 M.E. Abbott Scholarship

The Bicuspid Aortic Foundation is pleased to announce that the 2018 M.E. Abbott Scholarship is awarded to Alice Lau, PhD.  Alice is a researcher in the Molecular Genetics and Cardiac Regeneration Laboratory led by Dr. Mona Nemer at the University of Ottawa.

Recently I spent some wonderful days with these dedicated and talented young researchers. It is hard to find the words to describe walking into the laboratory where they spend their days and often labor late into the night, pursuing answers to what are life and death questions for those with BAV and TAD. 

Lara and Alice in the Nemer Lab

They seek these answers in the mice families that are so similar to their human counterparts. Some have aortic valves with only two leaflets, others have all three leaflets. Some have aortic aneurysms, and some do not. Why do only some have the bicuspid valve? Why do some dissect while others do not? Why do some have a seemingly carefree life, and others get into serious trouble? These mice families have the same genetics. So what makes the differences?

If we could understand these things, we could understand better who is in the most danger in our human families, and so many other things we want to know.  

Their work with such tiny hearts is aided by microscope and computer displays

Through the generosity of so many, BAF is able to support their research through these scholarships. In doing so, we are all truly supporting ground breaking research. As they publish their results, we will share them with you.

Supporting these brilliant, young researchers,

Together, we are

Creating a Climate of Hope

~ Arlys Velebir

  This link gives background on why this scholarship

 is given in the name of pioneering physican  Dr .M.E. Abbott