The Vascular Research Initiatives Conference (VRIC) will spotlight the crucial role of mentorship in advancing the fields of vascular surgery and research during its upcoming event on April 22. This year’s conference will run concurrently with the American Heart Association’s Vascular Discovery 2025 Scientific Sessions, themed “From Genes to Medicine,” which will explore the pathway from genetic discovery to clinical application.
This year’s conference theme is “Deploying Multiomics to Reveal New Therapeutic Targets in Vascular Biology.” Conference organizers have noted that contributions on topics like chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) and aneurysms will be a significant part of the discussions, emphasizing the importance of fundamental biology within cellular environments.
Kathryn L. Howe, MD, a surgeon-scientist at the University Health Network in Toronto, Canada, and chair of the SVS Basic and Translational Research Committee, has been an enthusiastic attendee of the VRIC since 2016. Her journey to the conference began with a mentor’s recommendation, underlining the event’s significance for emerging vascular surgeon-scientists.
Reflecting on her inaugural experience, Howe described it as “mind-blowing” and emphasized the importance of early participation in the event to foster community connections. “I can’t say enough about the importance of going early and then being part of that community feeling, building upon it every year that you go,” Howe said.
This year, the VRIC promotes robust discussions on cutting-edge basic science and translational research topics while ensuring that conversations remain rooted in current evidence-based practices and science. Mentorship and collaboration are at the forefront of this initiative, exemplified through Howe’s partnership with her mentee, Sneha Raju, MD, a third-year vascular surgery resident at the University of Toronto.
Raju recently completed her PhD research on endothelial cell communication in atherosclerosis and expressed her excitement about engaging with various vascular pathologies at the conference. “It’s inspiring to see vascular surgeon-scientists not only surgically manage vascular pathologies but also tackle the biological challenges behind these diseases to enhance patient diagnostics and treatments,” Raju said.
Having first attended the conference during the COVID-19 pandemic, Raju noted the uplifting atmosphere that emerges when leaders in the field come together to address vascular disease. “[VRIC] is a great place to build collaborations and advance scientific questions by recruiting insights from members with varied experiences,” Raju said.
With its emphasis on exchanging knowledge in basic and translational vascular science, VRIC encourages thoughtful dialogue to explore solutions to vascular patients’ pressing issues. Howe emphasized the crucial need for these discussions in today’s research climate: “When it comes to making sure that our science is seen and heard and valued, and therefore we have a platform to continue to advocate for additional funding, this is crucial.”
To register, visit vascular.org/VRIC25.
