# Multiscale mechanobiology of right ventricular failure

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE · 2022 · $76,167

## Abstract

In comparison to left ventricular failure (LVF), right ventricular failure (RVF) is poorly understood with the
critical consequence that no therapies exist. The parent grant will pursue Specific Aims to determine the
multiscale mechanisms of RVF with a data-driven, multiscale, computational modeling approach. Here we
propose supplemental aims to investigate immune system contributions to RVF. The experiments and
development of a computational model component, which will be incorporated into the parent grant’s multiscale
approach, will advance our understanding of the multiscale mechanisms that drive RVF.
The overall goal is for Mr. Bermudez, a graduate student in Mathematical, Computational and Systems Biology
to develop a novel multiscale immune model that refines the parent grant’s multiscale modeling approach of
RVF progression due to pressure overload. In Supplemental Aim 1, Mr. Bermudez will determine the impact
of increased reactive oxygen species, due to pressure overload-induced cardiomyocyte mitochondrial
dysfunction, on macrophage polarity and activation. In Supplemental Aim 2, Mr. Bermudez will measure and
model the impact of macrophage activation on fibrotic remodeling of the right ventricle due to pressure
overload. Also, Mr. Bermudez will receive expertise and mentoring from several senior scientist in the Chesler
lab with extensive bioengineering and computational modeling experience.
During the period of this project, Mr. Bermudez will gain new and valuable skills in biomedical engineering,
computational model construction, computational model validation, and any experimental skills required to
conduct the necessary experimentation to measure the key immunological variables. Mr. Bermudez will
prepare a quarterly in-house mentoring worksheet, similar to an Individual development Plan (IDP) in
conjunction with Dr. Chesler, participate in workshops for research and writing success at UCI, attend national
conferences to present his work, mentor undergraduates conducting research in the Chesler Lab, and continue
his participation in his graduate program’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, as a founding member.
UCI provides an excellent environment for the completion of this research project and continued professional
development of Mr. Jose Bermudez. Furthermore, Mr. Bermudez will work within the Edwards Lifesciences
Foundation Cardiovascular Innovation and Research Center (CIRC) community and take advantage of their
many networking and learning opportunities. In all, these combined research and training activities are
designed to prepare Mr. Bermudez for continued thriving in academic research in his post-graduate years.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10616981
- **Project number:** 3R01HL154624-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Anthony J. BAKER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $76,167
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-08-05 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10616981

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10616981, Multiscale mechanobiology of right ventricular failure (3R01HL154624-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10616981. Licensed CC0.

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