A. Wayne Orr, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences
Professor and Director, Division of Research,
Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology
LSU Health Shreveport
Research Interests: Vascular cell signaling in atherosclerosis; Hemodynamics and vascular cell-matrix interactions; Neuronal guidance molecules in atherosclerotic plaque formation and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis; Cardiovascular complications of methamphetamine.
NAVBO Activities: Member since 2006; NAVBO Council from 2017 to 2020; Member of Meritorious Awards Committee from 2020- 2025; Organizer for Vascular Biology 2021 and Vascular Biology 2023; Speaker for Vascular Biology 2009 and Vascular Biology 2019; Member of the Membership Committee from 2013-2016.
Related Experience: Director of the LSU Health Shreveport Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences (2017- present); LSU Health Shreveport Faculty Senate (2012-2014); Member, LSU Health Shreveport Research Council (2009- present); Member of the LSU Health Shreveport Diversity Advisory Council (2023- present); Member of the ATVB Early Career Committee (2010- 2013); Member, ATVB Membership and Communications Committee (2014- 2021), Vice Chair (2017-2019), Chair (2019-2021); Member of the ATVB Leadership Committee (2017-2021); Member of the ATVB Irvine H. Page Award Committee (2020- present), Vice chair (2022-2024), Chair (2024-2026); Editorial Board for Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology (2018- present); Editorial Board for the American Journal of Pathology (2016- 2020); Associate Editor for the American Journal of Pathology (2021- present); Charter Member of the Vascular Cell and Molecular Biology NIH study section (2017-2020); Charter Member of the Atherosclerosis and Vascular Inflammation (AVI) study section (2020-2023).
Vision for NAVBO
I've been a member of NAVBO since 2006, when I was still a Post-Doctoral Fellow. The NAVBO community was very welcoming and allowed me as a young postdoc to meet so many incredible scientists and mentors that have helped shape my career. To get more involved in the society, I joined the Membership Committee, served on NAVBO Council, and co-organized Vascular Biology 2021 and 2023. In addition to my career, I've had the privileged of watching NAVBO enhance the careers of my trainees, expanding their network and their sense of inclusion within the vascular biology research community.
While the early Workshop model for NAVBO meetings only engaged a subset of the society, our current annual meeting now engages the entire NAVBO community and promotes cross-disciplinary collaboration. Together with our growing relationships with other societies, most notably the Microcirculation Society, this has positioned NAVBO well for future growth. However, it is crucial that this growth does not dilute the intimate, communal experiences that define our meetings—shared meals and lively poster sessions that foster networking and inclusion. As a candidate for NAVBO President, my goal would be to facilitate growth of our society while preserving the close-knit community atmosphere that makes NAVBO so special. In addition, I will look to strengthen our ties with industry leaders and enhance their presence at our national meetings. By introducing industry-specific training forums and improving job networking opportunities, we can provide a robust pathway for career development in both academia and industry.
NAVBO has shown great foresight during the pandemic by expanding their offerings to year-round benefits and giving trainees the opportunity to engage the community through initiatives like the Career Development Forums, the Online Journal Club, and InFocus Sessions. These platforms not only offer invaluable learning opportunities but also foster a sense of community and support among our trainees. My priority will be to build on this momentum by continuing to grow the career development resources for our trainees, such as additional opportunities for trainee exposure through our current online forums, enhancing soft skills training for careers in academia and industry (both online and at our meetings), and improving connections between trainees seeking postdocs and faculty positions with those looking to make the right hire for their institution.
Like our research, navigating a career path in biomedical research is rarely simple and never easy. However, becoming involved in NAVBO is a decision that I can look back on and be certain that I made the correct call. I am running for NAVBO President to help make sure that our trainees can look back in 20 years and feel the same way.