Dr. Manuel Salinas Advances Cardiovascular Research with Next-Generation Bioreactors
Manuel Salinas, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Engineering in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Engineering, and Physics at Nova Southeastern University.
Tell us briefly about your recent award-funded project.
This year, I had the honor of receiving the Florida Heart Research Foundation’s “Stop Heart Disease Early Career Researcher of the Year Award” ($50,000, 2025). Presented at the annual meeting of the Florida Chapter of the American College of Cardiology, this statewide recognition highlights the important work being done across Florida in cardiovascular research. It also reflects the strong support I have received at NSU and from mentors who encouraged my nomination.
I am using this award to expand work on next-generation bioreactors, which act like miniature arteries in the lab. They allow us to safely replicate the same forces blood vessels experience inside the body, so we can study how stress and heat affect them, why plaques sometimes destabilize, and how new treatments might help. This project is a team effort that combines NSU’s strengths in engineering, biology, and chemistry, and creates opportunities for students to take part in research with real-world relevance.
Who is working with you on this project (internally and externally)?
This project brings together a multidisciplinary team at NSU, with expertise in engineering, biochemistry, biology, and pathology. An important part of the team is our undergraduate students in engineering and biology, who contribute directly to the research. Their involvement brings new energy and helps them gain meaningful hands-on experience.
What opportunities and/or benefits does this award bring to the NSU community?
This award helps advance research, foster collaboration, and highlight NSU’s contributions to cardiovascular science. Students gain exposure to laboratory work that connects their coursework with health challenges, and faculty strengthen NSU’s reputation through interdisciplinary teamwork. The award also highlights the mission of the Florida Heart Research Foundation / Miami Heart Research Institute, whose support includes the Stop Heart Disease specialty license plate program, nursing scholarships, professional education, prevention initiatives, and community programs like Heart Smart Art.
How does this project connect with your other work at NSU?
This project builds on my research into vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, which are central to the development of heart disease. By using the bioreactor platform, we can recreate cardiovascular conditions and study how blood vessels respond under stress. I also bring insights from this work into my teaching so students see research and learning connected.
Our long-term goal is to create predictive models of disease progression that could one day help clinicians identify people at risk of heart disease earlier and guide more effective treatments.
How has NSU helped you pursue and/or achieve personal and professional goals?
NSU has been essential in helping me grow as a researcher. Early support through the President’s Research Grant (PRG) allowed me to test ideas and build the first versions of the bioreactor system. Access to the Center for Collaborative Research (CCR) and its Cell Therapy Institute has provided advanced laboratory space, equipment, and expertise to move my work forward.
I am especially grateful to my colleagues and mentors, Dr. Toshihisa Kawai and Dr. Peter Gannett, who recommended me for this award. Dr. Kawai also played a key role in helping me access CCR resources, ensuring my projects had the resources they needed. Their mentorship and encouragement have been critical in shaping my career.
What advice do you have for other award and grant seekers at NSU?
My advice is to reach out and collaborate with colleagues. Intersections across fields often lead to stronger projects and richer ideas. Some of my best progress has come from these collaborations, where different perspectives came together to create something new and impactful.
