South SFV Today

Kristy Red-Horse, a professor of biology at Stanford University's School of Humanities and Sciences and an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), is dedicated to studying how blood vessels develop and respond to injury. Despite her current achievements, Red-Horse's journey has not been without challenges.

Red-Horse emphasizes the importance of adaptability in her career: “I think the ability to pick up and try something new is pretty important. I wasn’t afraid to move, I changed labs a couple times, and it was the best thing I ever did – that’s a little secret to my success,” she said. “Everyone shines in different ways in different environments. You just have to find your place.”

Red-Horse's research focuses on heart blood vessels, particularly their development and response to injuries such as myocardial infarctions. Her work aims to explore pathways responsible for blood vessel development, which could be used to encourage redevelopment when blockages occur. "Heart disease is the number one killer in the United States," she noted, underscoring the significance of her studies for developing less invasive treatments than open-heart surgery.

Her innovative approach includes studying natural variations in species like guinea pigs, which develop natural bypass arteries instead of suffering heart attacks from coronary artery blockages. This research could lead to new treatments for encouraging similar bypasses in humans using drugs.

Reflecting on her educational background, Red-Horse credits her high school teacher Mrs. Parnell for sparking her interest in biology. She pursued undergraduate studies at the University of Arkansas, followed by a master's degree at San Francisco State University where she discovered her passion for molecular biology. Influential mentors like Susan Fisher from UCSF guided her towards vascular research during her PhD.

Despite facing personal challenges related to her Indigenous ancestry and professional setbacks such as undergoing two postdoctoral positions, Red-Horse found resilience through these experiences. "Every time something really, really hard happens, I think maybe it’s going to be for the best," she remarked.

Red-Horse finds joy in both the discovery process and its clinical applications. Collaborations with clinicians have steered her research towards significant biological questions. For instance, working with Tim Assimes and colleagues associated with the Million Veteran Program helped link genetic markers with coronary growth pathways identified in Red-Horse's lab.

This collaboration recently earned them a grant from the National Institutes of Health to study why some humans develop collateral arteries naturally. Reflecting on such moments of scientific validation, Red-Horse said: "Knowing that this pathway is shown to be important for directing coronary growth and development in humans gives you the energy to move forward."

The story of Kristy Red-Horse highlights how persistence and adaptability can lead scientists to discover their unique place within their fields.

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