Post by Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research

It was a powerful close to VA Research Week at VA Palo Alto with an engaging Open House in our newest research building. With guided lab tours and a vibrant poster walk, the event highlighted the breadth of research improving Veterans' lives. We were honored to host former Chief of Staff, Dr. Lawrence Leung, and former Interim Chief of Staff, Jon Fuller, MD, whose leadership and thoughtful engagement has ensured continuity and unwavering support of VA research over the last 20 years (pictured). Special thanks to the: 🧠 Irene Lorenzo Llorente Lab – for showcasing their work on advancing stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI) research. The team studies how brain cells respond to stroke at a cellular level. Using brain slices (pictured), the team examines how living brain cells function and communicate. In parallel, TBI studies in live mice allow researchers to safely induce injury and use imaging to watch how the brain “lights up” in real time—revealing how different regions respond and adapt after trauma. ❤️ Ian C. Lab – for deepening our understanding of aortic stenosis through the study of live heart tissue (pictured). By examining how heart valve tissue changes and stiffens over time, researchers can uncover why the condition progresses and identify new ways to diagnose and treat it earlier and more effectively. 🧠 Maheen Mausoof Adamson Lab - for their contributions to advancing translational neuroscience to better understand and treat TBI and related conditions in Veterans using advanced brain imaging and noninvasive treatments to improve memory, mood, and daily functioning. Thank you to everyone who contributed posters and/or showed up to learn and exchange. A huge thanks to our researchers, staff, and Veterans who continue to move #VAResearch forward every day. Your work is so important to translating discoveries into improved diagnoses, treatments, and long-term outcomes for Veterans and the public. #PAVIR #VAPAHCS #VAResearchWeek #VeteranHealth