We are delighted to announce that Dr. Patric Liang, MD, has been named the 2024 Wylie Scholar Award recipient. Dr. Liang is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School and an Attending Vascular Surgeon at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. His pioneering research is making strides to improve vascular surgery outcomes.

Dr. Liang’s award-winning project, “Biodegradable Hydrogels for Perivascular Delivery of Targeted Gene Therapy to Improve Prosthetic Bypass Graft Patency,” tackles a major challenge in vascular surgery: the frequent failure of prosthetic grafts used in lower extremity bypass surgeries. His innovative approach involves a novel biodegradable gel developed by his team, designed to be applied to arteries during bypass surgery. This gel delivers small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics directly to the graft site, targeting specific genes that contribute to graft failure.

The gel’s unique design allows for sustained siRNA delivery, enhanced adherence to the vessel wall, and precise, unidirectional vascular delivery, minimizing off-target effects. This approach promises to reduce the incidence of graft failure, a significant concern linked to adverse molecular responses and early vein graft failure.

Dr. Liang’s research is rooted in his clinical experience, driven by his commitment to improving patient outcomes in vascular surgery. His work bridges the gap between research and clinical application, ensuring that his findings will translate into tangible benefits for patients.

With the support of the Wylie Scholar Award, Dr. Liang will advance his research, foster valuable collaborations, and contribute to the field of surgical science, particularly in biomaterials and targeted gene therapy. His dedication to addressing unmet clinical needs and enhancing patient care embodies the mission of the Foundation to Advance Vascular Cures through its Wylie Scholar Award.

We extend our congratulations to Dr. Liang. To learn more about Dr. Liang’s groundbreaking work and the Wylie Scholar Award, visit the Wylie Scholar List.