Established in 2006, the Vanderbilt Prize in Biomedical Science recognizes scientists of national reputation who have a stellar record of research accomplishments and are known for mentoring others in science.

New research findings suggest that drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration for other conditions might be repurposed to restore normal cell function in neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.

Awards were presented during the annual Spring Faculty Assembly on May 29.

The new research leadership structure "will allow the Department of Medicine to support a breadth of research with an eye to funding diversification, recruitment in strategic areas, and mentorship of trainees and faculty in all forms of research," said department Chair Anna Hemnes, MD.

For the past 20 years, Vanderbilt Health researchers have been studying ifetroban for its potential to treat conditions ranging from fibrotic lung disease to heart failure in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

In a review of the electronic health records of more than 223,000 veterans treated at Veterans Health Administration facilities, the researchers found that even modest decreases in the normal ABI correlated with a higher risk of major adverse limb events (MALE) requiring intervention, including amputation and revascularization (treatment to restore blood flow).