Liam Aranda-Michel Wins O'Shaughnessy Fellowship for Vascular Research

Current medical interventions for tissue lacking circulation typically rely on systemic drugs with unpredictable results or high-risk surgical procedures. Aranda-Michel’s approach centers on micro-scale engineering, introducing ready-made vascular structures that integrate into the body. This method seeks to provide a more efficient alternative for millions suffering from chronic blood flow restriction.

Aranda-Michel maintains a rigorous academic background, balancing his studies at MIT with research at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. His previous contributions to the field include co-developing an open-source platform for vascular research at the University of Pittsburgh, which significantly lowered costs compared to existing commercial systems. His findings have already appeared in the Cell Press journal Device. Jim O'Shaughnessy, founder of the investment firm, noted that Aranda-Michel’s combination of engineering precision and clinical focus aligns with the fellowship's goal of supporting high-impact, early-stage scientific discovery. The fellowship provides up to $100,000 in funding and access to an extensive network of industry experts.