Two Researchers Awarded $1 Million Grants to Unravel Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Connections

The American Heart Association has selected two prominent researchers to receive prestigious Merit Awards, each providing $1 million in funding to support critical investigations into the complex relationship between diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Dr. Ann Marie Schmidt from NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Dr. Elizabeth Selvin from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health will lead innovative research projects designed to advance understanding of these interconnected health challenges.

Schmidt's research will focus on investigating how white blood cells in diabetic patients contribute to systemic damage. Her team will examine a specific protein molecule called the 'receptor for advanced glycation end products' (RAGE), which may explain the mechanisms by which diabetic white blood cells harm the body. By studying both diabetic and non-diabetic mouse and human white blood cells, the researchers hope to identify potential molecular disruption strategies that could lead to novel treatment therapies.

Selvin's work will concentrate on improving cardiovascular health for diabetes patients, building upon her groundbreaking studies that established clinical criteria for diabetes diagnosis using hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Her current research will explore the relationship between wearable continuous glucose monitors and cardiometabolic risk in individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

The Merit Awards represent a significant investment in understanding the intricate connections between diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Diabetes is recognized as a major controllable risk factor for cardiovascular complications, and both conditions are experiencing increasing prevalence globally. By supporting advanced research, the American Heart Association aims to develop more effective screening, diagnostic, and treatment approaches.

These grants underscore the organization's commitment to scientific discovery and its mission to promote longer, healthier lives. With more than $5.9 billion invested in scientific research since 1949, the American Heart Association continues to be the largest non-government supporter of heart and brain health research in the United States.

The research by Schmidt and Selvin represents a critical step toward understanding the complex physiological interactions that contribute to chronic disease progression. Their work has the potential to transform clinical practices, ultimately improving patient outcomes and potentially saving lives.