Cardiovascular Biology in the Medical Sciences PhD Program is under the broad heading of cardiovascular research, with an emphasis on vascular biology. A concentration in cardiovascular biology provides training in such diverse fields as gene regulation and differentiation in smooth muscle, molecular biology of smooth and cardiac muscle, receptor function and signal transduction in smooth muscle and endothelial cells, matrix, and adhesion molecules in endothelial cell function, cell-cell communication, vascular development and inflammation, angiogenesis, and remodeling. Training includes a unique interdisciplinary blend of didactic coursework, journal clubs, seminar series, as well as significant research experience. The interdisciplinary structure permits considerable flexibility in training; each students’ training is tailored to meet individual requirements.

News

• Age-related decline in two sirtuin enzymes alters mitochondrial dynamics, weakens cardiac contractions

• Preclinical study defines spleen-heart connection in cardiac repair

• Blocking lipoxygenase leads to impaired cardiac repair in acute heart failure

Recent Publications

• Kravtsova, O., Tan, Y., Levchenko, V., Kovalenko, E., Tiwari, R., Zietara, A., Bohovyk, R., Dissanayake, L. V., Van, T. T., Sharp, T. E., 3rd, Geurts, A. M., Palygin, O., Rinschen, M. M., & Staruschenko, A. (2025). MCD enzyme deficiency drives early mortality and multiorgan metabolic disruption in Dahl salt-sensitive rats. iScience, 29(1), 114505. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2025.114505
  
  

More Information

For information about the Medical Sciences PhD Program, contact 813-974-2836 or biomedphd@usf.edu.

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Please note, students do not apply directly to a concentration. Interested students should submit an application for the PhD in Medical Sciences. Concentrations are typically selected during the first year of study.