The HSC Graduate College is proud to celebrate the achievements of Siva Sai Chandragiri, a PhD candidate in the Department of Pathology, who recently earned the highly competitive American Heart Association (AHA) Predoctoral Fellowship.

Siva’s groundbreaking research focuses on understanding the formation of cerebral microhemorrhages (CMHs) and their role in vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). His work explores how senescent endothelial cells—those damaged by aging or stress—contribute to the fragility of brain microvasculature. This is particularly relevant in patients who undergo whole-brain irradiation as part of cancer treatment. His ultimate goal is to uncover the mechanisms that compromise vascular integrity in aging brains and to identify therapeutic strategies to address these challenges.

Reflecting on this achievement, Siva shared how the AHA fellowship has propelled his academic and professional journey:

“This fellowship is a pivotal milestone in my career as an emerging scientist. It provides not only essential funding but also invaluable mentorship opportunities that allow me to refine my research skills. By focusing on cardiovascular research, I aim to establish a strong foundation for future efforts in tackling cerebrovascular diseases, such as stroke.”

Siva also emphasized the importance of the grant writing process in shaping his success:

“The clarity and integrity of the scientific proposal are critical. My mentors and peers were instrumental in guiding me, but I also recommend having a third party review every section of the application to ensure it is polished and compelling.”

For fellow PhD students considering predoctoral fellowships, Siva encourages taking on the challenge, stating that even the process itself is an invaluable learning experience:

“While the process is lengthy and demanding, the rewards are worth it. Crafting a grant proposal helps prepare you for the next steps in your career, whether or not you receive the funding.”

To help other trainees succeed, Siva recommends two key resources:

• OUHSC Graduate College’s ‘8 Weeks to a Better R/F/K’ Grant Writing Sessions: A structured program designed to guide students through the grant writing process.
• NIH Grants and Funding Website: Offers six general grant writing tips that are highly useful during application development.

Congratulations to Siva on this well-deserved recognition! His dedication and insights are an inspiration to the entire HSC Graduate College community.