Featured Member

Alexander E. Sullivan, MD, MSCI

What led you to a career in Cardiovascular Medicine and academic research?

I was drawn to cardiovascular medicine because of the wide breadth of pathology and the opportunity to advance the care for patients through academic research. Cardiology is a field that is constantly moving forward, and I knew that I wanted to contribute to that progress.

Are there any scientific investigations you are working on that you would like to highlight? Do you want to highlight any specific things about your career?

I am currently working under the mentorship of Dr. Joshua Beckman to better understand the mechanistic underpinning of claudication in patients with peripheral artery disease. We have completed a clinical trial in which we deeply phenotyped patients with claudication. We are working to understand the interaction between vascular function, energy production, and skeletal muscle.

In addition to receiving this award, how did you first get involved with AHA?

I have been an AHA fellow-in-training member for several years and have found the AHA and the AHA Scientific Sessions to be a great community to connect with colleagues.

What advice do you have for people starting their research careers?

It is important to have a range of mentors with diverse backgrounds and expertise. I have been fortunate to have many mentors during my training, all of whom have brought different perspectives and experience that has been invaluable to my growth and development.

What do you like to do outside of medicine?

Outside of medicine, my wife and I have an 8-month old son named Charlie and a 2-year old Portuguese Water Dog named Duncan. We like to go on family hikes and explore different parts of Nashville. I also can typically be found lifting weights or riding a Peloton at 5 am before work.

Who has had the most impact on your career to date? Who do you consider a mentor?

I consider Schuyler Jones and Joshua Beckman to be my most influential mentors. I worked with Dr. Jones to understand care patterns of acute pulmonary embolism and he inspired my interest in both vascular and endovascular medicine and clinical research. Dr. Beckman has shaped my understanding of vascular disease and has laid the groundwork for my academic and professional growth during fellowship. I have been fortunate to have such committed mentors during my training.