Elisa Boscolo, PhD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Research Interests:
Building pre-clinical in vitro and in vivo models of vascular malformations and vascular tumors to dissect disease mechanisms and perform translational research to identify novel medical therapies
NAVBO Activities:
Member since 2007, Councilor – 2021-2024, Growth & Enrichment Committee, 2024-present, Meritorious Awards Committee, 2023-present, Vascular Biology Annual Meeting – Speaker, 2026
Related Experience:
(council/board positions for other societies, editorial board membership, committee memberships for other societies, etc.): Member of the Biomaterials and Biointerfaces (BMBI) NIH study section (2023-2024), Member of the Department of Defense Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP) study section (2019, 2021, 2022) and programmatic Review I and II panel member (2024). Scientific session chair or co-Chair in occasion of several conferences or meetings, organizer of the Cancer and Blood Disease Center seminar series at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital (2024-present), Member of Editorial Advisory Board for American Journal of Hematology (2014-2022), Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine Special Topic Editor (2025-2026)
Vision for NAVBO:
“I envision NAVBO as a living vascular network: its members as endothelial cells—united by a shared purpose, yet distributed across diverse environments and specialized to meet distinct challenges. Through the continuous flow of information within this network, and through active communication with complementary disciplines, innovation emerges, adapts, and thrives.”
It is with deep honor that I enter this ballot for President of NAVBO. Since becoming a member in 2007, NAVBO has been central to my scientific journey. I still recall my first Vascular Biology Meeting in Asilomar, where I encountered not only leaders in the field, but a community defined by openness, intellectual generosity, and genuine engagement. As a trainee, I was welcomed into meaningful scientific dialogue—an experience that did more than advance my research; it shaped how I think, collaborate, and lead.
NAVBO stands apart because of its uniquely collaborative spirit—one that transcends career stages, disciplines, and professional sectors. It is a community where early-career scientists and established investigators, academic researchers and industry leaders, come together not simply to share knowledge, but to collectively expand the boundaries of vascular biology.
Looking ahead, my vision is to position NAVBO as the central nexus for vascular discovery and integration—a hub where ideas converge, disciplines intersect, and new directions take shape. We will cultivate an environment that not only welcomes but actively encourages the exchange of unpublished insights and bold, forward-thinking concepts. In doing so, NAVBO will continue to be a space where innovation is not only presented, but sparked.
At the same time, we will extend NAVBO’s reach by actively engaging scientists and trainees from adjacent and non-vascular fields, providing clear pathways for them to connect, contribute, and grow within our community. Through expanded educational initiatives, dynamic meetings, and accessible digital platforms, we will support their “entry and integration” into the vascular network—strengthening the field through diversity of thought and expertise.
Equally important is our responsibility to empower the next generation and support scientists at every stage of their careers. We will broaden career development initiatives to reflect the evolving scientific landscape, with expanded programming that highlights diverse career paths, including those in biotechnology, industry, policy, and beyond.
Finally, I am committed to strengthening the bridges between basic science, clinical research, and biotechnology. By fostering deeper, more intentional connections across these domains—through both in-person and virtual engagement—we can accelerate the translation of discovery into impact, ensuring that advances in vascular biology can lead to meaningful improvements in human health.
About myself: I was born in the north of Italy where I received my BS and PhD, at the University of Padova. I completed my postdoctoral training at Boston Children’s Hospital and started my laboratory and faculty position at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in 2014. In my free time I enjoy swimming, cooking (eating as well!), and traveling.