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
Training Links
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
Joy Lincoln Medical Therapies in the Treatment of Calcific Aortic Valve Disease NIH/NHLBI 2018 - 2023
Emily Nordquist The Ohio State T32 Training Grant for Predoctoral Students in Cardiovascular Research NIH/NHLBI 2018 - 2021
Madhumita Basu Mechanisms of Maternal Hyperglycemia Induced Risk of Congenital Heart Disease AHA 2018 - 2021
Punashi Dutta The Utilization of Nuclear Export Inhibitor Drugs to Treat Calcific Aortic Valve Disease AHA 2018 - 2020
Sathiyanarayanan Manivannan T32 Post-Doctoral Fellowship - Functional Evaluation of Novel, Rare Variants Associated with Infantile-Onset Cardiomyopathy and Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome NIH/NHLBI 2018 - 2020
Kim McBride Genetic Registry for Pediatric Heart Disease: The CCVM Consortium Indiana University/ March of Dimes 2018 - 2019
Joy Lincoln (Co-I) The Role of Rbfox2 in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome NIH/NHLBI 2017 - 2022
Brenda Lilly Mechanisms of Cardiac and Pulmonary Fibrosis in Relation to TGF-beta Signaling and miR-145 Function NIH/NHLBI 2017 - 2021
Joy Lincoln Nationwide Children's Summer Undergraduate Research Program AHA 2017 - 2020
Aaron Trask (Co-I) The Role of a Serine Rich Repeat Protein Required for Binding Multiple Carbohydrates in Streptococcus oralis Endocarditis AHA 2017 - 2019
Joy Lincoln, Vidu Garg, Brenda Lilly The Role of Notch in Calcific Aortic Valve Disease NIH/NHLBI 2016 - 2020
Aaron Trask Differential Macro- and Micro-Vascular Remodeling in Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome NIH/NHLBI 2016 - 2019
Vidu Garg, Joy Lincoln Molecular Mechanisms of Aortic Valve Formation NIH/NHLBI 2015 - 2019
Joy Lincoln The Role of Sox-9 in Calcific Aortic Valve Disease NIH/NHLBI 2015 - 2019

Training Links

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Training in Congenital and Acquired Heart Disease

A five-year, $1.6 million training grant funds in-depth, interdisciplinary, translational and state-of-the-art research training in congenital and acquired heart disease to clinicians and basic scientists.

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Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) in Cardiovascular Research

SURF provides undergraduates with the opportunity to perform clinical and basic science research within The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital over the summer.

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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.”

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Training Opportunities

Research education and training are vital to the mission of Nationwide Children's Hospital and The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

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Research and Academic Events

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

Career Opportunities

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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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Research Positions at Nationwide Children's

Click here to view a list of our current openings at The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

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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.

Basu Lab

Under the direction of Madhumita Basu, PhD, the Basu Lab focuses on understanding the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms of how maternal adverse environment influences the normal heart development in the embryos. 

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.

McBride Lab

Under the direction of Kim McBride, MD, MS, the McBride lab investigates the cause of congenital heart defects, with a focus on malformations involving the left side of the heart.

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

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The Heart Center
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Center for Regenerative Medicine