Martin Morad, PhD
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Health in the Regenerative Medicine
Martin Morad, PhD, is an international expert in “excitation contraction coupling,” an area of cardiac calcium signaling. His research focuses on the complex interactions and signaling that regulate heart function. Understanding this process may lead to new therapeutic approaches to treat congestive heart failure and other cardiac pathologies, including the possible creation of a biological heart pacemaker derived from genetically engineered cells.
Dr. Morad holds a three-way appointment to the faculties of the University of South Carolina, the Medical University of South Carolina and Clemson University.
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation Funds Heart Research
In 2008, the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation awarded a $5 million grant to support an endowed chair within the Regenerative Medicine Center of Economic Excellence (CoEE). The grant allowed the HSSC-supported Center recruit Martin Morad, PhD, an internationally acclaimed researcher known for his work in cardiology research, as its endowed chair.
Commenting on the award, M. Edward Sellers, chairman and CEO of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, said, “The Foundation is honored to establish the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Health. Our Foundation had been seeking an opportunity that simultaneously supported a CoEE endowed chair in a health-related field and involved all three research universities in South Carolina. This is a wonderful, unique opportunity that meets both of these criteria.”
Sellers went on to say,. “Dr. Morad’s research has the potential to benefit the wellbeing of all South Carolinians. His work in developing a biological pacemaker also has great commercial viability as a replacement for current pacemaker technology made from artificial materials.”
Learn More about the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation.
