PHA/AHA Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award Winners

Through the efforts of dedicated patients and caregivers within the PH community, PHA’s Research Program began in 2000 by supporting postdoctoral researchers in their quest to understand more about pulmonary hypertension, develop treatments for the disease and ultimately, a cure.

In 2010, PHA formed a new partnership with the American Heart Association (AHA). This program helps to support researchers in the beginning of their careers delve into the pulmonary hypertension field.

*The PHA/AHA Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award is not being offered in 2012.

2011
	Salina Gairhe, BSC, MSc, MSc, PhD “Sphingosine 1 Phosphate Mediates Sustained Vasoconstriction in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension” July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2013 University of South Alabama, Mobile Learn More
2010
	Swapnil Sonkusare, PhD “TRPV4 and pressure modulation of calcium signaling in vascular endothelium” July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2012 University of Vermont, Burlington Learn more
2009
	Revathi Rajkumar, PhD “Genetic Mechanisms of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension” July 1 2009 - June 30, 2010 University of Pittsburgh Sponsor: Ahmad Ferhaan, MD, PhD
	Gregg Stashenko, MD “Gene Expression Profiles in Patients with CTEPH Compared to Patients with IPAH” July 1 2009 - June 30, 2010 Duke University Durham Sponsor: Loretta Que, PhD
2008
	Metin Aytekin, PhD “Hyaluron in Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension” July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2010 Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH Sponsor: Raed A. Dweik, MD
	Yinzhong Zhang, MD, PhD “Role of Macrophage Migration Inhibiting Factor (MIF) in Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Vascular Remodeling” July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2010 The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, NY Sponsor: Edmund J. Miller, PhD Learn more
2007
	Yinglin Liu, PhD "Smooth Muscle Cell Signaling by Seratonin in Pulmonary Hypertension" Term: July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2009 Tufts-New England Medical Center, MA Sponsor: Barry Fanburg, MD
2006
	Brian Hawkins, PhD "Role of Thrombin in Pulmonary Endothelial Mitochondrial Function" Term: July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2008 University of Pennsylvania, PA Sponsor: Aron Fisher, MD Learn more
	Michelle Beutz, MD "Sphingosine-1-Phosphate and Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension" Term: July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2008 University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, CO Sponsor: Ivan McMuntry, PhD Learn more
2005
	George El Ferzli, MD "Lung Assist Device in Neonatal Porcine Respiratory Failure: Effect on Pulmonary Histopathology and Lung Mechanics" Term: July 1, 2005 - July 1, 2006 University of Alabama, AL Sponsor: Namasivayam Ambalavanan, MD Learn more
	Cristhiaan Ochoa, MD "Thrombospondin-1 in Hypoxic Pulmonary Vascular Remodeling" Term: July 1, 2005 - June 30, 2007 Massachusetts General Hospital, MA Sponsor: Charles Hales, MD Learn more
2004
	Georg Hansmann, MD, PhD "Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptor Mediated Gene Regulation in the Pathobiology of Pulmonary Hypertension" Term: July 1, 2004 - June 30, 2006 Stanford University School of Medicine, CA Sponsor: Marlene Rabinovitch, MD Learn more
	Anita Umesh, PhD "Integrin-Mediated Intracellular Signaling in Pulmonary Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells under Normoxia and Chronic Hypoxia" Term: July 1, 2004 - June 30, 2006 Johns Hopkins University, MD Sponsor: James Sham, PhD
2003
	Edda Frauke Spiekerkoetter, MD "Stromal Derived Factor Modulates Homing and Differentiation of Stem Cells in Pulmonary Hypertension" Term: July 1, 2003 - June 30, 2005 Stanford University, CA Sponsor: Marlene Rabinovitch, MD
	Ying Yu, MD, PhD "Roles of TRPC6 Channel in Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Primary Pulmonary Hypertension" Term: July 1, 2003 - June 30, 2005 University of California at San Diego Sponsor: Jason X.J. Yuan, MD, PhD Learn more
2002
	Wai Patrick Wong, PhD "Molecular Studies of Primary Pulmonary hypertension Gene Identification and Functional Analysis" Term: October 1, 2002 - September 30, 2004 Columbia University, NY Sponsor: James A. Knowles, MD, PhD
	Hideyuki Beppu, MD, PhD "The Genetic Basis of PH - Studies in Genetically Modified Mice" Term: July 1, 2002 - June 30, 2004 Massachusetts General Hospital Sponsor: En Li, PhD Learn more
2001
	Todd Bull, MD "Characterization of Circulating Endothelial Cells in Severe Pulmonary Hypertension" Term: July 1, 2001 - June 30, 2003 University of Colorado, Denver Sponsor: Norbert Voelkel, MD Learn more \| Read Dr. Bull's story
	Nesrine El-Bizri, PhD "Mts 1 and Pathobiology of Pulmonary Vascular Disease" Term: Sept. 1, 2001 - August 31, 2002 Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto Sponsor: Marlene Robinovich, MD
	Dominador Manalo, PhD "Role of HiF-1 in Mice in Regulation of Endothelin-1 Expression During Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension" Term: July 1, 2000 - June 30, 2001 Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD Sponsor: Gregg L. Samenza, MD, PhD Dr. Manolo received the Gabrielle Miyara and Rachel Hoyt Memorial Research Fellowship. This award was funded by the Primary Pulmonary Hypertension Research Fund (PPHRF) which merged into the Pulmonary Hypertension Association in 2000.


	The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) awarded PHA the Abbey S. Meyers Leadership Award in 2012 for outstanding service to PHA members in advocacy, education and other key areas.

PHA/AHA Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award Winners

2011

2010

2009

Revathi Rajkumar, PhD

Gregg Stashenko, MD

2008

Metin Aytekin, PhD

2007

Yinglin Liu, PhD

2006

2005

George El Ferzli, MD

Cristhiaan Ochoa, MD

2004

Anita Umesh, PhD

2003

Edda Frauke Spiekerkoetter, MD

2002

Wai Patrick Wong, PhD

2001

Todd Bull, MD

Nesrine El-Bizri, PhD

Dominador Manalo, PhD