Anil Chauhan, MTech, PhD, professor in Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantatin, will bring his record of discovery in the field of hematology and his strength as a mentor both to bear in his new role as Director of Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. Division Director Mohammed Milhem, MBBS, said, “Dr. Chauhan has an impressive history in the field of thrombo-inflammation. He is also an impactful force in the lives and careers of the researchers who work in his lab.” Milhem went on to say that Chauhan’s new role will “seize a missed opportunity for coordination between basic hematology research scientists and clinicians within the division to explore potential research projects in the field of cancer-associated thrombosis and stroke.”

Chauhan is excited to begin this collaboration by means of highlighting basic research at division meetings and allotting time in research conferences like Blood Club. Chauhan said there are plans to offer non-malignant hematology pilot grants up to $50,000 per year on a competitive basis to division members, which would support innovative ideas for developing R01 or equivalent grant applications to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), or similar federal and private organizations. By increasing collaboration and coordination, he also plans to also make clinical samples available to thrombosis researchers and provide a database of animal models of cancer to hematology researchers. Chauhan said that a position dedicated to an investigator in benign hematology, chosen in consultation with the Division Director and other committee members, is also one that could help advance the division’s goals. Chauhan will continue to mentor young faculty in the division and create opportunities to foster new research opportunities between hematology and oncology collectively.

Milhem said the division is “lucky” to have Chauhan in this new role because it calls on his unique strengths. Chauhan joined the University of Iowa in 2009, after completing his post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School. His contributions in the field of thrombosis are recognized by numerous publications and awards, including a Brinkhous award from the American Heart Association (AHA), the Mary Rhodes Gibson award from the American Society of Hematology (ASH), and the John Levy award from ASH. Currently, he serves as principal investigator for multiple NIH awards, including an NHLBI R35, an NINDS R01,an AHA Established Investigator Award, and an NINDS U01. Chauhan is no stranger to collaboration, sharing co-PI duties leading the University of Iowa’s membership in the Stroke Pre-Clinical Assessment Network (SPAN), with Enrique Leira, MD, MS, professor of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Epidemiology. The UI SPAN location is one of only six labs in the US in this network. Chauhan was also recently named as one of the Carver College of Medicine’s Distinguished Scholars in their last round of awards.

Beyond all these research accomplishments, one of Chauhan’s most significant contributions to the institution has been through mentorship. His trainees have gone on to receive post-doctoral fellowships in thrombosis and vascular biology from the AHA, an ASH Scholar award, and multiple AHA Career Development awards. His trainees credit his mentorship for their group and individual success and innovation. Chauhan said he tries to motivate researchers that allows for creativity and individual growth along with successful team collaboration. “The idea is to train them well, so that they can become independent. But also treat them well, so they want to stay. They are your assets and not liabilities.”