Published: 
By  Courtney Clayton
Shayn Peirce-Cottler
Shayn Peirce-Cottler, professor and chair of biomedical engineering.

Shayn Peirce-Cottler, professor and chair of biomedical engineering, has received the 2024 Eugene M. Landis award from The Microcirculatory Society for her lab's research. 

“Receiving the award is a tremendous honor, and it reflects the collective work and dedication of my lab and collaborators over the years,” Peirce-Cottler said. “Microcirculation plays such a critical role in many diseases, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the understanding of these processes.” 

“I owe so much to the people who have mentored, trained and supported me along the way, including my Ph.D. mentor, Tom Skalak, and remarkable researchers like Brian DulingDoug DeSimone and Gary Owens.” 

The award was established in 1969 in honor of professor of medicine and vascular physiology researcher, Eugene M. Landis. Landis was a professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and later served as the chairman of medicine at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. The award recognizes an outstanding investigator in the field of microcirculation who resides in the United States or Canada.

Peirce-Cottler will give her Landis Award Lecture at the Microcirculatory Society, Inc. Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with Vascular Biology 2024, October 20-24, 2024, in Monterey, California.

Peirce-Cottler has made significant contributions at UVA, particularly in advancing research on microvasculature and its role in diseases like Alzheimer’s, diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis. Her innovative use of in vivo imaging techniques has allowed for real-time tracking of blood vessel changes, offering new insights into disease progression and tissue regeneration. 

Additionally, her integration of computational modeling with experimental biology has deepened the understanding of complex biological processes and provided tools/algorithms to identify novel therapies for treating disease. 

A highly respected educator and mentor, she has also been recognized for shaping the next generation of biomedical engineers through her teaching and guidance.

She has been honored as a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), recognizing her contributions to the field. She also received the Harrison Distinguished Teaching Professor Award, showcasing her dedication to education. She has earned many NIH research awards to support her innovative work.

Microvasculature Engineering Lab

The Peirce-Cottler lab develops and uses experimental and computational techniques to study and design new approaches for growing and regenerating injured and diseased tissues by manipulating the structure and composition of the microvasculature.

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