Our Mission
The mission of the Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center is to support interdisciplinary research in basic, translational and clinical cardiovascular sciences, including cardiovascular development, function, pathophysiology, pharmacology, genetics, genomics, and proteomics, and to apply this knowledge to better understand the causes of cardiovascular diseases and to pioneer development of new innovative therapies and approaches to prevent or treat them.
Goals and Objectives
- To support basic, translational, and clinical research that can be translated into therapies and improve patient care
- To provide resources that enhance research in cardiovascular related diseases
- To disseminate knowledge by lectures, seminars and other educational opportunities
- To support training of pre- and postgraduate students, residents and fellows in the cardiovascular sciences and cardiovascular medicine
- To help integrate cardiovascular research across labs, departments, and schools at UVA as well as with outside institutions including facilitating collaborative studies
- To assist CVRC investigators in developing a plan for translating research findings into products or procedures that benefit patients including providing advice on protecting intellectual property, establishing biotech startup companies, and licensing technology to companies
CVRC Trainees Travel Abroad to Collect a Giraffe Heart
In certain kinds of heart failure, trouble begins when the heart fails to relax completely. Staying partially clenched reduces the amount of blood the heart can move, leading to high pressures in the heart chamber, exhaustion, and fluid retention. Most … Read More
Clint Miller, PhD, Featured in Research in Motion
CVRC Member Clint Miller, PhD, was featured in this week’s Research in Motion video. Watch below:
Swapnil Sonkusare, PhD, Named Pinn Scholar
Resident Member Swapnil Sonkusare, PhD, was named a 2025 Pinn Scholar! The award recognizes scientific expertise, mentoring, and service. Congratulations, Swapnil! Read more about the award in this week’s Medicine in Motion article.
Swapnil Sonkusare, PhD, Receives AHA Award to Research Atherosclerotic Plaques
Swapnil Sonkusare, PhD, Professor of Molecular Physiology & Biological Physics and Resident Member of the Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, was awarded a $500,000 award from the American Heart Association. The award will fund research into atherosclerosis, the most … Read More
Gary Owens featured by Research in Motion
CVRC Gary Owens, PhD, was featured by UVA Health’s Research in Motion series today. Watch his video below!
Christopher Kramer, MD, named President of American College of Cardiology
Dr. Christopher Kramer, MD, George A. Beller MD/Lantheus Medical Imaging Distinguished Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and CVRC member, became President of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) at the organization’s 2025 annual meeting. The ACC is a global professional organization … Read More
CVTG RIP – Hot Seats
All Trainees These sessions are initiated by having Dr. Isakson randomly selecting a trainee (by pulling a name from a jar) to give a 5-6 minute summary of their research project without slides indicating why their project is important, what … Read More