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Meritorious Awards

2025 Recipient of the Judah Folkman Award in Vascular Biology

The NAVBO Meritorious Awards Committee, the Scientific Advisory Board, and the NAVBO Council announce with pleasure the selection of Yajaira Suárez, PhD, as the recipient of the 2025 Judah Folkman Award in Vascular Biology. This award recognizes outstanding contributions from vascular biologists who are at mid-career (within fifteen years of their first faculty appointment). Dr. Suárez will present the Folkman Award Lecture and receive the award at Vascular Biology 2025 in Hyannis, Massachusetts (October 19 - 23, 2025).

After completing her undergraduate degree in Biology at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Dr. Suárez earned a PhD in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology from the same institution in 2001. She pursued post-doctoral research with Alberto Muñoz at the Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas in Madrid and subsequently with Jordan Pober and Bill Sessa at Yale. She held research and junior faculty positions at NYU starting in 2009, returning to Yale as an Assistant Professor in 2013. She is currently Anthony N. Brady Professor of Comparative Medicine and Pathology at the Yale University School of Medicine.

Research in Dr. Suárez’s laboratory seeks to elucidate mechanisms involved in the regulation of endothelial cell and macrophage function. Both cell types play major roles in angiogenesis and inflammation responses in the context of atherosclerosis, tumor growth and metastasis, adipose tissue expansion, and wound healing. Her lab, employing approaches that combining molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, and genetically modified mouse models, focuses in four different areas: 1) the role of non-coding RNAs on endothelial cell and macrophage responses to cytokines and growth factors; 2) endothelial metabolic rewiring; 3) the relationship between macrophage inflammatory responses and metabolic regulation (immunometabolism); and 4) regulation of cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism in cardiometabolic diseases. Her lab’s contributions in all of these areas have been impactful. For example, her studies of microRNAs in regulating endothelial angiogenic and inflammatory activation during post-natal angiogenesis are credited with opening a new area of investigation in vascular cell biology, thus having a profound scientific impact. She has earned numerous awards in the US and internationally, over a dozen students, and has published well over 100 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters.

Colleagues writing in support of Dr. Suárez’s nomination for the Folkman Award note not only her success to date but her promising trajectory as a scientist, valued collaborator, mentor, and leader in her institutional community. In the spirit of the award’s namesake, “her exceptional contributions to vascular biology have not only advanced scientific knowledge but have also inspired peers and future generations alike.” Please join us at VB2025 this October to honor Dr. Suárez as she receives the Folkman Award in recognition of her accomplishments as a vascular biologist.

FEBRUARY 24, 1933 – JANUARY 14, 2008
JUDAH FOLKMAN AWARD IN VASCULAR BIOLOGY PRESENTED BY NAVBO

The Judah Folkman Award is a mid-career award. At the time of the Award, nominees will be between 3 and 15 years of their first faculty appointment (Assistant Professor or in non-academia, Staff Scientist or equivalent).

In recognition of the breadth of Dr. Folkman's interests and his many contributions to vascular biology, the award will not be limited to the field of angiogenesis per se, but will encompass the full range of original research in vascular biology. Awardee will have made a significant impact on the field through their original research accomplishments.

Past Recipients include:

 

2025 Recipient of the Earl P. Benditt Award

The NAVBO Meritorious Awards Committee and NAVBO Council are pleased to announce the selection of Anne Eichmann, PhD, as the 2025 recipient of the Earl P. Benditt Award, in recognition of her numerous contributions to our understanding of tissue patterning during vascular and lymphatic development. Dr. Eichmann will present the Benditt Lecture, titled, “Guidance of vascular patterning” and receive the award, one of NAVBO's highest honors, at Vascular Biology 2025 in Hyannis, Massachusetts in October.

Dr. Eichmann completed undergraduate studies in Veterinary Medicine at the Freie Universität, in Berlin and an MSc at the Weizmann Institute in Israel, earning her PhD in Molecular and Cell Biology at the Universite Paris XI, Orsay (1994). Following stints as Research Fellow in the CNRS Institut d’Embryologie in Nogent-sur-Marne, France and Research Director at the Collège de France, she joined the faculty of Medicine at Yale University in 2010. She is currently the Ensign Professor of Medicine (Cardiology), Professor of Cellular And Molecular Physiology, and a member of the Yale Cardiovascular Research Center.

Dr. Eichmann’s current research focuses on the role of tip cells, located at the extremities of growing capillary sprouts, as mediators of vascular patterning. Her lab’s work has help to establish VEGF and the endothelial-specific Notch ligand Delta-like 4 (Dll4) in positive and negative regulation of tip cell function. Studies with mouse models has allowed her group to identify novel tip-cell enriched genes. Her investigations also highlight morphological parallels between capillary sprouting and axon guidance in development. Like endothelial tip cells, axonal growth cones extend filopodia that sense and respond to extracellular guidance cues. Other areas of interest include selective expression of VEGF co-receptor Neuropilin variants in arteries compared to veins or lymphatics. Her research findings have been published in top-tier journals, and her lab has earned significant and sustained funding from the NIH. Her list of honors includes an INSERM young investigator award (2002), the Jean Bernard Award from the Medical Research Foundation FRM (2006), election as a member of EMBO (2013), and NAVBO’s Judah Folkman Award in 2019.

Professional colleagues writing in support of Dr. Eichmann’s nomination for the Benditt Award note that her “…discoveries have been pivotal in shaping current scientific thought on vascular biology…,” indicative of the broad impact on development of new therapeutic approaches as well as on biologic fundamentals. Those acquainted with Dr. Eichmann’s history as a mentor celebrate her willingness to foster “…creativity and independent thinking in her trainees, many of whom have gone on to become successful scientists in their own right.”

Please join us at VB2025 in Hyannis this October to honor Dr. Eichmann as she receives this well-deserved award.

 

APRIL 15, 1916–MAY 27, 1996
EARL P. BENDITT AWARD PRESENTED BY NAVBO

This award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding discovery or developed a concept that has been seminal to our understanding of vascular biology or pathology.

The recipient will receive a crystal plaque and a monetary award and will be asked to give a lecture at the Vascular Biology Meeting.

Recipients of the Earl P. Benditt Award include:

Klaus Ley Recognized with 2025 Stephen Schwartz Award for Outstanding Mentorship

NAVBO’s Meritorious Awards Committee is pleased to name Klaus Ley, M.D., as the 2025 recipient of the Stephen Schwartz Award. Named in honor of Dr. Stephen Schwartz, a revered and beloved member of NAVBO and co-founder of the society, the award recognizes a mentor who has contributed significantly to the successful career of scientists who have trained in their laboratory, as well as served as an exemplary mentor to graduate students and postdocs, and who has contributed to fostering an environment that facilitates both professional and personal growth. The award will be presented on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at VB2025 in Hyannis, Massachusetts.

Dr. Ley currently serves as Professor of Physiology, Co-Director of the Immunology Center of Georgia, and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar at the Medical College of Georgia. He completed undergraduate studies in Mathematics and Physics at the Altkönigschule-Gymnasium, Kronberg, Germany and his M.D. at Julius-Maximilians- Universität, Würzburg (1983). He pursued postdoctoral research in Physiology and Biomedical Engineering at the Freie Universität Berlin and UC San Diego, respectively. He held faculty positions at the University of Virginia and UC San Diego prior to relocating to the Medical College of Georgia in 2022.

Known for his laboratory’s major contributions to our understanding of the role of adhesion molecules in control of leukocyte tissue distribution and extravascular vascular trafficking, Dr. Ley also has earned the admiration of trainees and colleagues for his genuine passion for mentorship. Former trainees writing in support of his nomination for the Schwartz Award note that Klaus “…always provides an environment for growth and exploration and encourages independence” and “…supports his trainees' career development in and outside of academia.” “His leadership creates an atmosphere of trust and allows trainees to receive the substance they need to thrive in science.” He has earned the reputation for being ever-available to advisees throughout their association with him, ranging from stages of early experimental design and interpretation of findings to helpful critique of grant applications as former trainees establish their independent scientific identities. And by all measures, Dr. Ley has succeeded royally in fostering career success for those under his supervision: of the scores of doctoral students and greater than 60 postdocs he has mentored, many have earned key positions in academic science and the public and private sectors, in the U.S. and internationally.

Please join us in Hyannis this October to honor 2025 Schwartz Award recipient, Dr. Klaus Ley.

JANUARY 1, 1942–MARCH 17, 2020
STEPHEN SCHWARTZ AWARD PRESENTED BY NAVBO FOR OUTSTANDING MENTORSHIP

This award recognizes a mentor that has contributed significantly to the successful career of scientists who have trained in their lab; who has served as an exemplary mentor to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and contributed to fostering an environment which facilitates both professional and personal growth.

Recipients:

Mahdi Garelnabi to Receive the 2025 Florence R. Sabin Award

NAVBO’s Meritorious Awards and Growth & Enrichment Committees are pleased to name Mahdi Garelnabi, M.Sc, Ph.D.., as the 2025 recipient of the Florence R. Sabin Award. The Sabin Award recognizes a unique individual who embodies the spirit of Dr. Florence Sabin (1871-1953), who broke scientific and social barriers with her research and community engagement. Sabin was known as a brilliant scientist, a trailblazer and role model for women in the medical profession and a steadfast believer in professional opportunities for women. The award is open to members of cardio/vascular biology communities who have worked as scientists, physicians, or physician/scientists.. This year’s award will be presented to Dr. Garelnabi on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at VB2025 in Hyannis, Massachusetts.

Dr. Garelnabi currently serves as an Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical & Biomedical & Nutritional Science at UMass Lowell. In addition to managing his own research program at Lowell focused on relationships among lipid metabolism, inflammation, and the pathophysiology of vascular disease, Dr. Garelnabi serves as the Director for the Core Lab of the UMass Lowell Center for population Health. He has mentored some 50 undergraduate students and greater that 50 graduate students and post-docs, earning awards in teaching and professional service from the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine and his home institution.

Dr. Garelnabi earned a B.Sc. in Biology from Khartoum University, an M.Sc. in Clinical Biochemistry from Bombay University, and Ph.D. from Delhi University (2001). He pursued post-doctoral work with Virgil Brown at Emory University and served in research posts at Ohio State and Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics prior to joining the faculty at UMass Lowell in 2009.

Colleagues writing in support of Dr. Garelnabi’s nomination for the Sabin Award note his dedication to student success and sensitivity to the strengths and needs of each trainee. The impact of his efforts “…extends beyond rhetoric to meaningful, action-driven initiatives that have created lasting change in academia.” With a focus on mentorship, he has provided professional guidance to students and junior faculty members that has been instrumental in their achieving success in their respective fields – truly exemplary of the spirit of the Sabin Award.

Please join us in Hyannis this October to honor Dr. Garelnabi as NAVBO’s 2025 Florence R. Sabin Award recipient.

Florence Sabin

Photo courtesy of Smith College

The Florence R. Sabin Award recognizes a unique individual who embodies the spirit of Dr. Florence Sabin (1871-1953) who broke scientific barriers with her research and contributions in the field of Vascular and Lymphatic Biology, as well as various social barriers. In addition to her contributions to science, Florence Sabin's later work as a public health administrator left a permanent imprint upon the communities in which she served. Sabin’s accomplishments include becoming the first woman faculty member at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and its first female full professor, the first woman to be elected President of the American Association of Anatomists, and the first woman elected to membership in the National Academy of Sciences. One of her most passionate causes was the advancement of equal rights for women in education, employment, and society in general. Sabin was known as a brilliant scientist, a trailblazer and role model for women in the medical profession and a steadfast believer in equal opportunities for women, a teacher, a colleague, and a friend. Click here to learn more about Florence Sabin.

This annual award is open to active or retired members of the national or international vascular or cardiovascular biology communities who work or have worked as scientists, physicians, or physician/scientists. In addition to their scientific/clinical accomplishments, candidates must have distinguished themselves in at least one of the following areas: promoting social issues which benefit public health, or supporting/providing public service to the broader community.

To nominate a colleague for this award, please see additional information under Nominations on this web site

Recipients:

2024 SPRINGER JUNIOR INVESTIGATOR AWARD - NAVBO'S AWARD FOR JUNIOR FACULTY

Mingxia Gu, M.D., Ph.D.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Dr. Gu will present her talk, "Deciphering Endothelial Organ Specification in Vascularized Organoids," at Vascular Biology 2024 on October 23.

This award recognizes a Junior Faculty, who is within five years of their first independent investigator position or within five years of an independent research position in academia, government, or industry.  An applicant must be submitting and presenting an abstract at the upcoming annual meeting.  The award recipient will present their abstract in a 20-minute presentation usually within the Award Lecture session.

For the 2025 award, the first appointment needs to be January 1, 2020 or later.

Please note: A first independent investigator is defined as an Assistant Professor or in non-academia, Staff Scientist or equivalent.

THE SPRINGER JUNIOR INVESTIGATOR AWARD IS MADE POSSIBLE BY SUPPORT FROM ANGIOGENESIS

Past Recipients include: