Center for Cardiovascular Research

The mission of the Center for Cardiovascular Research is to conduct innovative, mechanism-based research leading to improved therapies and outcomes for pediatric cardiovascular diseases and to foster preventive strategies and promote cardiovascular health in adults.

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The Abigail Wexner Research Institute is ranked among the top 10 for NIH funding among free-standing children's hospitals.

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Areas of Focus
Grant Awards
Research Training
Career Opportunities

Our Areas of Focus

  • Cardiovascular Development
  • Congenital and Acquired Valve Disease
  • Vascular Disease and Homeostasis
  • Genetics of Congenital Heart Disease

Center Extramural Grant Funding

Investigator Title Sponsor Award Years
Mingtao Zhao
 A pilot biorepository of patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells for studying single ventricle heart defects
 Additional Ventures Tools & Technology Expansion Award
 2021 - 2022
Mingtao Zhao Maternal blood biomarker discovery for predicting ventricular growth in human fetuses with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA-IVS) Additional Ventures Innovation Fund 2021 - 2024
Mingtao Zhao
 An integrated human stem cell model for elucidating NOTCH signaling in myocardial-endocardial interactions in cardiac development and disease
 NIH/NHLBI
 2020 - 2025
Kim McBride Functional consequences of FHC mutations in cardiac MyBPC Case Western Reserve University/ NIH 2020 - 2025
Mingtao Zhao Elucidating Mechanisms of Ventricular Hypoplasia in Pulmonary Atresia with Intact Ventricular Septum (PA-IVS) Using Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Additional Ventures Innovation Fund 2020 - 2022
Kim McBride Development of a Protocol to Risk Stratify Individuals with Single Ventricle Congenital Heart Disease Using Deep Phenotyping and Genome Sequencing Additional Ventures Innovation Fund 2020 - 2022
Kim McBride The Genetics of Cardiovascular Malformations: A Clinical Approach Indiana University/ AHA 2019 - 2022
Vidu Garg
 Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlying Maternal Diabetes Associated Cardiac Malformations
 NIH/NHLBI
 2019 - 2023
Mingtao Zhao NOTCH Signaling in Human Vascular Development and CADASIL AHA 2018 - 2022
Aaron Trask Novel Non-Invasive Coronary Flow Patterning to Predict Early Coronary Microvascular Disease NIH/NIBIB 2018 - 2022
Madhumita Basu Mechanisms of Maternal Hyperglycemia Induced Risk of Congenital Heart Disease AHA 2018 - 2022
Brenda Lilly Mechanisms of Cardiac and Pulmonary Fibrosis in Relation to TGF-beta Signaling and miR-145 Function NIH/NHLBI 2017 - 2022
Kim McBride Center of Research Translation in Muscular Dystrophy Therapeutic Development - Muscular Dystrophy Cell and Serum Banking Core NIH/NIAMS 2016 - 2021

Trainees in the News

2021

Ruth Ackah, MD: The Ohio State University Center for Clinical and Translational Science Mentored Career Development Training Program Postdoctural Award

Sathiya Manivannan, PhD: American Heart Association and Children's Heart Foundation Congenital Heart Defect Research Awards Postdoctoral Fellowship

2020

Randaa Breikaa: North American Vascular Biology Organization (NAVBO) Vascular Biology 2020 Conference Outstanding Poster Award

Adrianna Matos-Nieves, PhD: The Ohio State University Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology inaugural Student Spotlight Award for Service and Engagement

Ruth Ackah, MD: The Ohio State University Department of Surgery 2020 James D. King MD, PhD Surgical Research Award

Training Links

Med Pros

Summer 2023 Training Opportunities for Undergraduate Students

Rising juniors and seniors can explore science careers and experience multidisciplinary research at AWRI firsthand through a 10-week, paid summer research opportunity funded by the American Heart Association.

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Patient-Centered Pediatric Research Program

The Patient-Centered Pediatric Research Program prepares postdoctoral fellows to engage in independent outcomes research in child health settings and become leaders in the conduct of patient- and family-centered outcomes research.

Research Medical Fellows

Research Pathway

The Integrated Research Pathway is an American Board of Pediatrics  approved mechanism for pediatric residency training. Learn more about this program and the application process. 

Research Institute Training Association (RITA)

Trainee Association

The Research Institute’s Trainee Association (RITA) was created in 2013 to help better train and prepare trainees for their “next steps.”

Resident and Patient

Office of Trainee Affairs (OTA)

Research education and training is vital to the mission of the Abigail Wexner Research Institute (AWRI) at Nationwide Children's Hospital. As a top 10 free-standing pediatric research center and an academic affiliate of The Ohio State University, AWRI has an outstanding faculty dedicated to

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DISCOVERYx: The Stories Behind Discovery

Learn more about research and academic events going on at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

Career Opportunities

Med Pros

Join the Center for Cardiovascular Research Team

Click here to view a list of our current openings at the Center for Cardiovascular Research.

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Career Opportunities

We have a purpose for every passion. Join our team and discover your passion for what’s possible in providing best outcomes for children.

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Life in Columbus

Vibrant neighborhoods. Unlimited arts and entertainment. Learn why Columbus, Ohio is a great place to live, work and play. 

Inside the Center for Cardiovascular Research

Meet Our Team

Learn more about director Vidu Garg, MD, and his team of principal investigators at the Center for Cardiovascular Research.

Cardiovascular Research Shared Resource

The Cardiovascular Research Shared Resource is available to facilitate both basic and translational research for basic science and clinical faculty.

Garg Lab

Under the direction of Vidu Garg, MD, The Garg Lab focuses on identifying the genetic contributors to congenital heart defects.

Lilly Lab

Under the direction of Brenda Lilly, PhD, the Lilly Lab is interested in the fundamentals of blood vessel formation and smooth muscle differentiation.

McConnell Lab

Under the direction of Patrick McConnell, MD, the McConnell’s Lab focuses on studying biological models of heart function, pathophysiology and cardiac assisting devices.

Trask Lab

Under the direction of Aaron Trask, PhD, the Trask Lab's research focuses on studying processes involved in adverse micro- and macro-vascular remodeling in disease.

Zhao Lab

Under the direction Mingtao Zhao, DVM, PhD, the Zhao Lab is exploring the genetic basis of cardiovascular development and congenital heart disease using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).

Related Specialties

Smiling young heart patient

The Heart Center (Cardiology)
Center for Regenerative Medicine

Center for Regenerative Medicine