Why Studying Vein Transformation After Arteriovenous Fistula Creation is a Good Opportunity for Scientists in Challenging Times

By:Roberto I. Vazquez-Padron, Ph.D.

Tenured Professor of Surgery at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine.

Abstract:

The autogenous arteriovenous fistula (AVF), surgically created by connecting a vein to a nearby artery in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), serves as a critical lifeline for thousands of Americans undergoing hemodialysis. The biological response of the vein to arterial circulation and its transformation into a vascular conduit with an extraordinary healing capacity is one of the most fascinating yet underexplored areas in biomedicine. This lecture will critically evaluate and challenge the existing biological framework explaining the differential responses of veins to supra-arterial circulation following arteriovenous anastomosis. Newly generated systems biology data—obtained through histopathological techniques and omics technologies—will be presented, offering novel insights into this complex process. Beyond advancing our understanding of AVF biology, this lecture will emphasize the crucial role of interdisciplinary collaboration among physicians, vascular biologists, biochemists, molecular biologists, and bioengineers. Such partnerships serve as a driving force for scientific innovation and professional resilience, particularly in challenging times.

Bio:

Dr. Roberto I. Vazquez-Padron is a Cuban-born and educated vascular biologist. He currently holds the position of Tenured Professor of Surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and serves as a Senior Research Scientist at the Miami VA Medical Center. Additionally, he is the director of the University of Miami Vascular Biology Institute.
Dr. Vazquez-Padron's research primarily focuses on the postsurgical transformation of veins following arteriovenous fistula creation. Together with his collaborators at the University of Miami, he has established a significant biorepository of human fistulas and veins, enabling detailed studies of the cellular and molecular changes in veins post-anastomosis using state-of-the-art animal models and transcriptomic techniques.
A well-funded investigator, Dr. Vazquez-Padron has is currently funded by three NIH RO1 grants and two VA Merit awards. His prolific publication record includes over 120 manuscripts in esteemed journals such as the Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI), Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN), American Journal of Kidney Diseases (AJKD), Kidney International, Cardiovascular Research, and Atherosclerosis.
Since 2012, he has been a standing member of NIH and VA study sections. In recognition of his mentorship, he received the Dean's Annual Faculty Award for Excellence in Faculty Mentorship in 2021. Dr. Vazquez-Padron currently mentors three K-award recipients at the University of Miami.