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Mark Renton

Fralin Biomedical Research Institute
Mark Renton portrait.

Faculty Mentor
Scott Johnstone
Assistant Professor

Research Areas/Interests
Cardiovascular physiology and metabolism, role of immune cell signaling in blood vessel wall function

How long have you been in your postdoctoral position at Virginia Tech?
Began in July 2023


Briefly describe the research project you are working on as a postdoctoral associate at Virginia Tech. What is the problem you are addressing? What is the expected impact of your work?
My research project investigates immune cell signaling in the blood vessel wall following injury. Current surgical treatments for obstructive coronary artery disease cause significant damage to blood vessels, reducing long-term success rates. This is because damage leads to immune cell infiltration and the multiplying of smooth muscle cells to repair the integrity of the vessel wall. However, the multiplying cells fail to stop, eventually reblocking the vessel.

My project furthers understanding of how immune cells control this process, potentially leading to the identification of new therapeutic treatments that will increase long-term success rates in surgeries for coronary artery disease.

Why did you choose to pursue postdoctoral training at Virginia Tech?
While completing my PhD training in Australia, I was interested in living overseas and gaining experience in an international laboratory. The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech stood out as a world class facility with brand new equipment and lab spaces. The emphasis on training by both my supervisor and Virginia Tech sounded like the ideal place to further my research training.


What are your career goals?
My career goal is to lead my own independent research laboratory with the mission of improving the understanding of the causes and cures for common human cardiovascular diseases.


How do you see the resources available to postdoctoral associates at Virginia Tech generally and via this program specifically being helpful to your career and professional development?
Virginia Tech provides a significant program for postdoctoral associates to help improve many aspects of our training including grantsmanship, manuscript writing, presentation skills, and much more.