The study of the molecular, biochemical and cellular mechanisms regulating the cardiac, pulmonary, neural and vascular components of the cardiovascular system. Cardiac disease, pulmonary disease, hypertension, stroke and atherosclerosis models are studied. Specific topics in these areas of investigation include vasoactive hormones, cardioprotection, cardiac development, cellular adhesion molecules, platelets, lipid metabolism, endothelial biology, ion channels, inflammation and stem cells.