Sabrina Robichaud, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at the Immunology Center of Georgia (IMMCG), has been awarded the first American Heart Association (AHA) Postdoctoral Fellowship from the center. The grant will support her groundbreaking research into the relationship between cancer and cardiovascular disease, an area of growing scientific interest.
Robichaud’s work focuses on how cancer influences the development of atherosclerosis, a leading cause of heart disease. Despite the fact that cancer survivors are more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than from secondary cancers, the mechanisms driving this link remain poorly understood. By investigating these connections, Robichaud aims to identify novel ways to mitigate cardiovascular risks in cancer survivors, ultimately improving preventative care.
“Cancer and atherosclerosis share common molecular mechanisms and comorbidities, but the interaction between these two processes is not well understood,” Robichaud said. “Our research seeks to uncover how cancer promotes atherosclerosis, which could lead to better strategies for identifying at-risk patients and improving long-term health outcomes.”
The AHA fellowship is designed to support early-career researchers and encourage the pursuit of innovative ideas, even when preliminary data is limited. The program fosters professional growth by providing funding for conferences and collaboration with leading scientists in the field.
“It’s an incredible honor to receive this fellowship, especially as an international researcher from Canada,” Robichaud added. “Working with Dr. Catherine Hedrick’s mentorship and the resources available at Augusta University has allowed us to develop a meaningful project at the intersection of immunology and cardiovascular disease.”
Robichaud’s research will leverage cutting-edge technologies at IMMCG, including intravital microscopy in collaboration with co-director Klaus Ley, MD, as well as advanced flow and mass cytometry. These resources provide critical tools for understanding the molecular interactions between cancer and heart disease.
“The ability to conduct these experiments in-house is a tremendous advantage,” Robichaud said. “Many of these technologies are not available at other research institutions.”
IMMCG, which was established in 2022 as part of Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia, joins a prestigious group of research centers, including the Georgia Cancer Center and the Vascular Biology Center, which have long been recipients of AHA funding.
Dr. Hedrick, who co-directs IMMCG and serves as Robichaud’s mentor, emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex health issues. “By combining our expertise in immunology, cancer, and cardiovascular biology, we are tackling some of the most pressing health challenges facing our state,” she said. “Sabrina’s work will contribute to developing therapies that prevent disease progression and improve patient outcomes.”
In addition to the AHA fellowship, Robichaud joins several other graduate students and postdoctoral fellows from the Medical College of Georgia and The Graduate School who have received AHA fellowships this year.
“This award not only provides essential funding but also opens doors for further collaboration and professional development,” Robichaud noted. “I’m excited to share our findings and learn from other scientists as we advance the understanding of cancer and heart disease.”
As Augusta University continues to lead Georgia in AHA research funding, Robichaud’s work is set to make a significant contribution to the growing field of cardiovascular disease research in cancer survivors.
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