Los Angeles, CA – March 30, 2026 – The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation is proud to announce that Dr. Yangzhi Zhu has been received a prestigious Career Development Award from the American Heart Association (AHA). The award will provide a total of $231,000 over three years to support his research in translational biosensing and organ health assessment.
The AHA Career Development Award is a highly competitive program designed to support promising early-career investigators in cardiovascular and related biomedical research. Dr. Zhu’s project will advance innovative sensing strategies aimed at improving the evaluation of donor organ condition and support better clinical care.
“We are honored by the American Heart Association’s support of this work” said Dr. Yangzhi Zhu, Principal Investigator at the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation. “This award will help us continue developing new translational technologies with the potential to improve how critical clinical decisions are made.”
Dr. Zhu’s research focuses on developing next generation biosensing strategies for translational medicine. By developing technologies that can provide more timely and informative insight into organ status, his work aims to address important unmet needs in transplantation and cardiovascular care. “Dr. Zhu’s recognition by the AHA highlights the significance of his contribution to biosensing and translational medicine,” said Stewart Han, President of the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation. “We are excited to see this research continue to grow and make meaningful impact.”
The American Heart Association, a leading voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke, supports research initiatives that drive innovation and improve patient care worldwide.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Yangzhi Zhu, Assistant Professor
Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation
Email: yzhu@terasaki.org
About the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation
The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation is a non-profit research organization that invents and fosters practical solutions that restore or enhance the health of individuals. The Institute aims to enhance the quality of human life through translational research and the acceleration of biomedical innovation. TIBI's research focuses on the development of biomaterials, cellular and tissue engineering, medical devices, and microfluidic systems.
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