Dr. Gumina has vision for cardiovascular research

Rich Gumina, M.D., Ph.D., sees possibilities at UNMC.

Dr. Gumina, who started in January as the associate division chief for cardiovascular research, sees his goal as leading UNMC’s cardiovascular research endeavor and helping build on both the basic translational and clinical research being conducted in the division.

Dr. Gumina, who comes to UNMC from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, focuses his own research on understanding the way that nucleotides such as ATP and ADP, which are released from cells when they are injured, impact cardiovascular disease.

His work is funded by two grants, an RO1 from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute aimed at understanding how these molecules play a role in post-infarction remodeling, and a grant-in-aid from the American Heart Association to explore how ATP and ADP play a role in atherothrombosis, the development of atherosclerosis and then thrombotic events that occur afterward.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Gumina join our division in his leadership role,” said Vincent Pompili, M.D., chief of the division. “His work will be integral to our ongoing academic and investigative program expansion in cardiovascular medicine.”

He arrives on campus as the division is consolidating its research area, moving offices to the eighth floor and labs to the 12th floor of The Lied Transplant Center.

“We have six investigators that are moving into Lied 12 and room for recruitment of another three or four investigators within cardiovascular research,” he said.

The new labs will allow the creation of a collaborative structure, enabling the researchers to facilitate each other’s work.

In addition, Dr. Gumina would like to grow the division’s research in the area of cardio-immunology — how immune system and immune system dysfunction affects cardiovascular disease.

“We have strengths in the traditional cardiovascular areas of heart failure, arrhythmias, imaging, and coronary and peripheral vascular disease,” he said. “We not only have strengths within these areas but also within vascular surgery, congenital heart disease, structural and valvular heart disease, and cardiac surgery — I think we’ll be able to use those clinical strengths to build effective translational research.”

He also is actively recruiting researchers, and — having just arrived himself — sees UNMC as a desirable destination.

“There is a great infrastructure for research, a robust clinical practice, and a collaborative environment, all key elements to building a successful program” he said.

“We’re striving toward a vision of developing a center for excellence in cardiovascular care and research. I think we have the pieces in place.”