The Dutch Heart Foundation has awarded ACS scientists Nimrat Grewal and Marten Hoeksema with the Senior Clinical Scientist and Senior Scientist Dekker grant respectively. Dekker grants are personal research grants for talented scientists that are awarded annually. With the grants, the Heart Foundation enables researchers to take the next step in their careers. The Dekker grant helps them to set up and expand their own research line in the field of cardiovascular research.
Nimrat Grewal – Senior Clinical Scientist Grant
Nimrat’s project focuses on improving the risk stratification and treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections.
As part of the project, Nimrat and her research team will investigate genetic factors that contribute to the risk of aortic pathologies. The goal is to identify new genetic markers and therapeutic targets that could improve early detection and nonsurgical treatments for these conditions.
As the first cardiothoracic surgeon receiving the Senior Clinical Scientist Grant, Nimrat emphasizes the importance of translational research: “This project allows us to bridge the gap between basic research and clinical application, which will ultimately lead to better care for patients with aortic diseases.”
Marten Hoeksema – Senior Scientist Grant
Hoeksema studies the most common underlying problem of cardiovascular disease: atherosclerosis.
It has recently become known that, during the process of atherosclerosis, foam cells can also become active inflammatory cells. These inflammatory foam cells create more inflammation and a weaker plaque that is more likely to rupture and as a consequence can cause a heart or brain attack more quickly. Hoeksema will investigate exactly what transcription factors are responsible for the foam cells to become inflammatory foam cells.
If Hoeksema can answer this question, the next step is to develop drugs aimed at inhibiting the culprit transcription factors. This will prevent foam cell from becoming inflammatory and lower the risk of a plaque rupturing. Hoeksema: "In this way, I want to develop well-functioning anti-inflammatory drugs that specifically target arterial calcification. I hope that with these drugs we can prevent many heart and brain attacks in the future."
About the Dekker grants
The Dekker grants are named after Dr. E. Dekker, former director of the Dutch Heart Foundation. He was the initiator in the Netherlands of civilian assistance in the event of a cardiac arrest. Dekker grants are personalized grants for talented cardiovascular researchers at various stages of their careers. These grants attract top talent and helps them building their own line of research in the cardiovascular field.
For more information on the awarded Dekker Grants, you can visit this page.
Source: Dutch Heart Foundation