About Me

I am Professor Emeritus Department of Surgery and Founder of the Hypertension and Vascular Research Center pioneer the groundbreaking discovery of angiotensin-(1-7), a hormone counterbalancing the vasoconstrictor, proliferative, and inflammatory actions angiotensin II. My research extends beyond its impact on heart and blood vessel diseases. Ang-(1-7) is a negative inhibitor of autoimmune diseases, liver cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, eclampsia, and malignant tumors.

My research in hypertension and heart failure has led to multiple national and international awards including the Harry Goldblatt Award for Hypertension Research (1987); 1999 Angiotensin II Investigator of the Year -European Society of Hypertension; Tigerstedt Award, The American Society of Hypertension (2001); Inter-American Society of Hypertension Lifetime Achievement Award (2003); Arthur C. Corcoran Award, AHA Council on Hypertension (2005); BM Brenner Award, American Society of Nephrology (2007); Robert Tigerstedt Award, Finnish Society of Hypertension (2008);, RD Wright Award, Australian High Blood Pressure Council (2008); and Novartis Award for Hypertension Research, AHA Council on Hypertension (2009). In November, I will be awarded the Distinguished Scientist Award at the 2023 meeting of the AHA, a recognition honoring AHA/ASA members who made extraordinary contributions to cardiovascular, stroke, and brain health research.

Educational Program Involvement

Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology PhD
Program Research Interest: Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Cardiovascular Physiology and Hypertension, Regenerative Medicine, Neuro- and Behavioral Pharmacology, Cancer Therapeutics Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Lifespan Physiology.

Molecular Medicine and Translational Science PhD
Program Research Interest: Analytical approaches to molecular and cellular synthesis, structure and function, Genetics and gene regulation, Cell communications, Organ systems, Pathophysiology