Biomedical Engineering Graduate Student Earns American Heart Association Fellowship

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Ishita Tandon, a biomedical engineering doctoral student, received the American Heart Association's Predoctoral Fellowship to support her research into early detection methods for a common heart disease.

Biomedical engineering doctoral student Ishita Tandon has earned a predoctoral fellowship from the American Heart Association to support her research into a cardiovascular disease that impacts 2.5 percent of Americans.

The fellowship will support Tandon's research into calcific aortic valve disease — the formation of calcific lesions in the aortic heart valve. Tandon is working to identify an early detection method for the disease, because current technology usually only allows doctors to identify the disease after irreversible damage has been done.

"Currently there are no drugs and no mitigation strategies," she said. "There are no early diagnostic strategies."

Under the guidance of Kartik Balachandran, associate professor of biomedical engineering, Tandon's research centers on developing a realistic 3D model of the aortic valve, then using multiphoton imaging to look for early changes that could indicate the onset of calcification. From there, researchers could develop ways to treat the disease before it intensifies.

The imaging aspect of Tandon's research includes a collaboration with researchers in Kyle Quinn's lab. Quinn is an assistant professor of biomedical engineering whose lab specializes in tissue diagnostics, using advanced imaging techniques to provide non-invasive, real-time assessments of tissue structure and function.

Tandon hopes to leverage that existing technology to find a new perspective on the development of aortic calcification.

"We're developing proof of concept here," Tandon said. "This imaging technology is already used widely in cancer research. We're showing them this may have another application — in cardiovascular research."

One of the main advantages to multiphoton imaging is that it's minimally invasive and non-destructive, meaning it is more desirable for use in the human body because it doesn't involve inserting dyes or other materials into the tissue to form a clear image of the organ.

Tandon thanked Balachandran for his guidance throughout the process.

"He's very supportive. I am grateful for his mentorship," she said. "When we come up with the ideas, he is with us every step of the way to guide us and steer us in the right direction."

Raj Rao, professor and department head of biomedical engineering, said the award reflected well on Tandon, Balachandran and the department.  

"Ishita's receipt of the AHA predoctoral fellowship is an indication of the significance of the ongoing cardiovascular research programs in the department," he said. "It also demonstrates the caliber of our doctoral students and the important guidance provided by Dr. Balachandran."

Serena Munns, executive director of the Northwest Arkansas office of the American Heart Association, said researchers like Ishita Tandon are vital to the future of heart and brain health.

"We are committed to funding researchers early in their careers," Munns said. "Funding for training and early-career investigators represents a substantial portion of the millions that we invest into research each year."

"That commitment has brought results," she added. AHA-funded discoveries include the first implantable pacemakers, the first artificial heart valve, CPR techniques and cholesterol-lowering medications. "It's important to recognize that ground-breaking research is going on right here in our back yard."

Additional details of the biomedical engineering cardiovascular research programs can be found on the Cariovascular Research page.