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 

Bicuspid Aortic Foundation Awards Scholarship to BAV Researcher

The Bicuspid Aortic Foundation is pleased to announce the awarding of our M. E. Abbott Scholarship to PhD candidate Lara Gharibeh, a student in the Molecular Genetics and Cardiac Regeneration Laboratory at the University of Ottawa.

 The M. E. Abbott Scholarship seeks to recognize those whose work today, in the pioneering excellence tradition of Dr. Abbott, carries on the search for answers to vital questions faced by families with bicuspid aortic valve.  

This full one year scholarship, effective September 1st, 2017, will provide support for the research project "Molecular mechanisms underlying BAV-associated aortopathy".  In the course of this research, an understanding of the cause and mechanism of valve calcification will be sought. In addition, the question of  the impact of valve geometry versus genetics on aortic aneurysm and rupture in response to stress will be examined. Both of these questions are critically important to BAV families.  It is our firm conviction that the ground breaking work in progress in this laboratory in Ottawa is vital to advancing knowledge, individualizing treatment, and thus promoting the well-being and longevity of individuals and families where bicuspid aortic valve is present. 

Diseased thoracic aorta

We are particularly pleased to support this work through funds given in memory of Charles Doherty, who tragically lost his life at the age of 34 due to complications from his bicuspid aortic valve.

We are also pleased that this scholarship begins with September, the month when we observe Thoracic Aortic Disease Awareness.

If you would like to help us support research like this in the future, please donate to the Bicuspid Aortic Foundation. 

Stay tuned for more updates on the Bicuspid Aortic Foundation's mission and programs!