Abstract: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) affects 5-10% of the male and females over the age of 65 and is the 13^th leading cause of death in the United States.  AAA, defined as a permanent localized dilation in the arterial wall with a diameter greater than 50% of normal, is an inflammatory disease of the aorta that can result in dissection (tearing) of the aortic wall, formation of an blood-exposed (intramural) thrombus, and catastrophic rupture of the aorta resulting in >90% probability of death. Importantly, the role of the intramural thrombus in the etiology of AAA remains poorly explored.  This talk will present our current findings on the role of platelet activation and fibrin(ogen) formation and deposition and their role in AAA initiation and progression.

Bio: Professor Owens obtained a double BS in Biology and Chemistry from Georgetown College and a Ph.D. in Toxicology from the University of Kentucky under the mentorship of Alan Daugherty studying the role of abdominal aortic aneurysm and angiotensin II-induced vascular pathologies.  His postdoctoral training was at the University of North Carolina under the tutelage of Nigel Mackman where he examined the role of the coagulation cascade in cardiovascular disease.  Phil joined the University of Cincinnati as an Assistant Professor in early 2015.  He has obtained a K99/R00 grant to examine the role of the coagulation cascade in abdominal aortic aneurysm and his talk entitled: ‘The role of platelet activation and fibrin(ogen) biomechanics in abdominal aortic aneurysm’ is based on the work from that grant.

~BME Faculty Host: Craig Goergen~

***Coffee and juice will be provided at West Lafayette***