Joshua Beckman, MD

I am interested in the field of Vascular Medicine and the physiological function of arteries in diabetes and risk factors for atherosclerosis.

I have spent the last 15 years studying the impact of diabetesand its constituents on endothelial function. My role in the proposed research application is coordinate the phenotyping of patients with vascular stiffness and hypertension in response to an anti-inflammatory intervention. This includes the acquisition of experimental measures, data analysis, and participation in preparation of manuscripts. I am fully capable of performing each of the required steps in this application. I have the expertise, leadership, and motivation required to effectively complete this application, performing these measurements for my own research program, starting an ambulatory blood pressure program and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and as the Associate Medical Director of VasCore, the largest ultrasound core laboratory in the United States. I have personally studied the vascular function and phenotype of hundreds of patients, evaluating resistance arteriolar function, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and conduit artery and vein function in a wide variety of pathophysiological states. Moreover, I have studied the vascular dysfunction inherent to diabetes for more than 15 years. This current grant application combines a direct extension of my research interests of vascular dysfunction, collaboration with other investigators, and techniques and medications with which I am facile, enabling successful acquisition of answers to this line of inquiry. As PI or co-Investigator on several previous foundation- and NIH-funded grants, I laid the groundwork for the proposed research by mastering effective measures of vascular function and factors relevant to vascular homeostasis in the intact human. I have established strong ties and collaborated with other researchers and produced several peer-reviewed publications from each project. As a result of these previous experiences, I am aware of the importance of frequent communication among project members and of constructing a realistic research plan, timeline, and budget. The current application builds logically on my prior work, and I am proud to work with Dr. Harrison (PI) to provide additional expertise in human vascular physiological evaluation. In summary, I have a demonstrated record of successful and productive research projects in an area of high relevance for the study of the effect of androgen deprivation on the progression of atherosclerosis in intact humans, and look forward to working with the team on this proposed project.