Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgery Residents’ Research Achievements
Recognized by the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute
by Mary Sheridan Bilbao, PA-C, MPAS
June 25, 2025
The Stanford Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery supports the research and career development of its residents through opportunities provided by the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute (CVI). CVI administers several training awards for postdoctoral research through the National Institutes of Health, including programs that focus on delivering translational research experiences to residents. CVI supported several cardiothoracic surgery residents through the CVI-administered T32 and R38 training programs.
Perry Choi, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery Resident
Dr. Choi also received the NIH R38 StARR Award in 2023, which supported his research through 2024. His project, titled “Elucidating the Biomechanics of Ventricular Remodeling in Single Ventricle Pathology,” is focused on advancing cardiopulmonary science through innovative resident-driven research. Dr. Choi is conducting this research in the Cardiovascular Engineering Research Laboratory, led by Dr. Michael Ma.
Learn more about the StARR program: NIH R38 CVI Program
Matthew Duda, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery Resident
Dr. Duda was awarded the NIH T32: Mechanisms and Innovations in Cardiovascular Disease Training Grant, a competitive two-year award that supports postdoctoral research in basic and translational cardiovascular science. His project, titled “Fibroblast Klf4 Expression Attenuates Sex-Specific Aortic Root Aneurysm Formation in a Murine Model of Marfan Syndrome,” explores critical mechanisms underlying aortic disease. While the project represents a slight shift in focus from his originally awarded research, it focuses on the molecular drivers of aortic pathology. Dr. Duda is conducting this research in the Stanford Thoracic Aortic Research Laboratory, led by Dr. Michael Fischbein.
Learn more about the T32 program: NIH T32 CVI Program
Elbert Heng, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery Resident
Dr. Heng was honored with the NIH R38: Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) Award for 2023–2024. This award is designed to cultivate resident-investigators in cardiopulmonary research and accelerate their path to becoming independent clinician-scientists. His research project, “Investigating 3D Microvascular Geometry in Therapeutic Angiogenesis,” is contributing to advancements in vascular regeneration strategies. Dr. Heng is conducting this research in the Cardiothoracic Advanced Surgical Materials Laboratory, led by Dr. John W. MacArthur.
Learn more about the StARR program: NIH R38 CVI Program
Aravind Krishnan, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery Resident
Dr. Krishnan, a recipient of the NIH T32 fellowship, is conducting his research in vascular biology with a focus on “Restoring Bronchial Vasculature After Lung Transplantation”. His team uses nanofiber thin films that locally release angiogenic and immunosuppressive drugs to enhance targeted healing. One key approach involves Deferoxamine-loaded films to support airway healing post-transplant. Dr. Krishnan is conducting this research in the Cardiothoracic Advanced Surgical Materials Laboratory, led by Dr. John W. MacArthur. Their work has been published in top journals and is protected by multiple patents.
Learn more and watch the recording here: Nano-structured, deferoxamine-eluting thin films significantly improve airway perfusion in translational animal models of lung transplantation.