Swapnil Sokusare, PhD, Associate Professor of Molecular Physiology & Biological Physics and Resident Member of the Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, was awarded a $500,000 award from the American Heart Association. The award will fund research into atherosclerosis, the most significant cause of cardiovascular disease worldwide. In this condition, fats, cholesterol, and other biological material build up into plaques on the inside walls of arteries. These substances are encapsulated by a fibrous cap, which if broken, can cause heart attack or stroke. The Sonkusare lab will study a calcium channel, TRPV4, to understand its role in building strong caps. TRPV4 channels are important for regulating collagen, and Sonkusare has shown that they may play a role in strengthening the caps and regulating plaque development. Understanding the role of this channel in endothelial and smooth muscle cells will help elucidate the development and stability of atherosclerotic plaques.