MISSION STATEMENT

The Neurovascular Physiology Laboratory (NVPL) ultimately seeks to determine integrative strategies to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease, the number one cause of death in America. We use a comprehensive approach to study blood flow and vessel function, neural control of blood pressure, and clinically relevant biomarkers in biological samples in healthy adults and patient populations. We are primarily interested in examining how health behaviors, such as exercise, diet, and sleep, influence human physiology and cardiovascular health.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in America and high blood pressure (hypertension) is the leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and afflicts over half of the adult population. Our lab is focused on preventing cardiovascular disease and hypertension as these are two of our most pressing public health challenges, especially with an aging population.

Sources: https://world-heart-federation.org/what-we-do/hypertension and Tsao et al. Circulation 2023 AHA Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics PMID: 36695182

LAB VISION

  • The NVPL seeks to inform cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment strategies through publishing in peer-reviewed scientific journals & presenting at research conferences.

  • We want to help mentor and train the next generation of top scientists and health care practitioners.

  • We also prioritize helping individuals in the community at large understand the importance of cardiovascular health and the adoption of positive health behaviors, such as reducing processed food consumption, and increasing physical activity and promoting sleep health.