2026 - 33rd Annual Cardiovascular Day
Wednesday, February 18th, 2026
Hilton Inn Garden Conference Center «map»
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Julie Freed
Associate Professor; Executive Vice Chair; Director of Clinical Research
Medical College of Wisconsin
Dr. Freed’s research primarily focuses on the role that sphingolipids have in the development of endothelial dysfunction in the human microcirculation. Elevated plasma levels of ceramide, a prototypical sphingolipid, is now considered an independent risk factor for major adverse cardiovascular events in otherwise healthy people. The Freed lab is currently investigating how these bioactive lipids are regulated in human endothelial cells.
As a cardiac anesthesiologist, Dr. Freed is also interested in intraoperative blood pressure control including mechanisms and treatments of vasoplegia. Other interests include translating her work in the lab to improve outcomes for surgical patients.
For more information, visit Dr. Freed's Lab's informational website.
Event Committee members:
Darla Tharp, PhD – Committee Chair and PIBS representative
Jeffrey Boychuk, PhD – Dalton and PIBS representative
Charles Norton, PhD – MPP representative
Alejandro Chade, MD – NextGen and SOM representative
Jacqueline Limberg, PhD – NEP representative
Samuel Martin - Trainee representative
Karol Dinwiddie - PIBS representative
Laura McClaskey – NextGen representative
Mackenzie Lynch - NextGen representative
Darius Miller – NEP representative
Lisa Putting - MPP representative
Thomas Malloy - Dalton representative
John Donahue – IT planning and support representative
You can contact the CVDay Committee at mucvday@missouri.edu.
