Up & Comer
Name: Hunter C. Champion
Age: 37
Position: Director of the Bernard Laboratory and
assistant professor of medicine, Division of
Cardiology, School of Medicine
Stats: BS '93 in biology, Emory University; PhD '99 in
cardiovascular pharmacology and MD '99, both Tulane
University
Scouting report: "[Champion] is an extraordinarily
bright, creative, research-committed young faculty member,"
says Myron Weisfeldt, chair of the Department of Medicine.
"Some of his work holds great promise for improving human
health."
Research: Champion has published approximately 190
papers. His current research examines the intricate
relationship between heart and lungs. Specifically, he aims
to understand how disease in one organ affects the other and
uncover ways to treat cardiopulmonary diseases. When the tiny
arteries surrounding the lungs are partially blocked, for
example, the heart's right chamber must struggle to pump
blood. Such strain can often lead to heart failure. Champion
and his colleagues found that certain drugs can help loosen
the vessels. "Our research is one of the main reasons why
drugs like Viagra are being used to treat hypertension," he
says.
Mentor: David A. Kass, Division of Cardiology. "He has
a long-standing history of being a world leader and expert in
heart failure," Champion says, and "a gift for clinical and
basic study design."
In his office: The customary books, journals, papers,
and coffee mugs, plus a host of taxidermic curiosities. Aptly
named, Champion is an avid sportsman, so his office houses
mounted mallards, trophy fish, and a wild boar's head.
— Cassandra Willyard, A&S '07 (MA)