Congratulations to Dr. Wolfgang Bergmeier, Associate Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics for receiving an Established Investigator Award from the American Heart Association for research on “The Platelet Signaling in Inflammation and Autoimmunity”.
Dr. Bergmeier is an Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics and member of the MacAllister Heart Institute and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at UNC. The NCRP Summer 2013 Established Investigator Award supports mid-career investigators whose research involves cardiovascular or cerebrovascular science. The award by the American Heart Association was given for studies that will further define how platelets secure vascular integrity in inflammation and at sites of injury.
Hemostasis is a process intended to keep blood within a damaged blood vessel. Blood platelets are critical for this process and extensive work has been done on the molecular mechanisms by which platelets contribute to hemostasis at sites of mechanical injury. The Bergmeier lab recently characterized the contribution of platelets to hemostasis at sites of inflammation, a study that demonstrated that the platelet signaling responses are very distinct in states of inflammation vs. injury (J Clin Invest, 2013 Feb; 123 (2): 908-916).
Dr. Bergmeier was also recently honored with a Biennial Awards for Contributions to Hemostasis (BACH) Investigator Recognition Award from the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH). Learn more about his research efforts at http://www.unc.edu/~bergmeie/Bergmeier_lab/HOME.html