Grant Program: Postdoctoral Grant

Patellar tendon injuries are common and can lead to lasting mobility issues. Exercise is the best treatment, but current methods often misjudge actual tendon load, limiting recovery. This project uses new UW—Madison – Shear Wave Tensiometry (SWT) to directly measure tendon load and quantitative ultrasound (qUS) to assess tendon health. It will test how neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) enhances tendon loading and explore links between tendon structure and function. The findings will guide more precise rehabilitation strategies, improving healing and long-term outcomes for people with tendon injuries.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., in part because the adult heart cannot regenerate after myocardial infarction (MI). This project explores how inhibiting succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in myofibroblasts can reduce fibrosis and promote heart repair. Preliminary studies show SDH inhibition reprograms fibroblast metabolism, limits scar formation and boosts cardiomyocyte regeneration. By uncovering the mechanisms behind this process, the study aims to pave the way for new regenerative therapies to improve outcomes after heart attack.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) affects 3 million Americans and increases risks of fractures, kidney stones and cardiovascular disease. Surgery is the only cure, yet fewer than 10% of patients receive it. In Wisconsin, patients in highly disadvantaged neighborhoods are treated at half the rate of others. This project will use patient interviews to understand barriers to diagnosis and treatment, then develop educational tools for both patients and providers to improve referrals and access to surgery. The study aims to reduce disparities in PHPT care and improve outcomes for underserved communities.

The Role of the EnvCT in SIVmac Viral Fitness project is exploring a hidden part of the HIV virus that could open new doors for vaccine development. While most efforts focus on the virus’s outer surface, this research studies the envelope’s cytoplasmic tail (EnvCT) to see how it influences immune recognition and viral survival. By testing antibody responses and mapping how EnvCT interacts with host cells, the project aims to uncover new strategies to make HIV more vulnerable to prevention and treatment.