The URMC Cardiovascular Engineering Lab (CVEL) has been awarded the 2013 CTSI/UNYTE pilot Collaborative research grant. The project, entitled, Regional Ultrasound Wall Strain Measurements to Predict Risk of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) rupture, is led by PI's Ankur Chandra, M.D., RPVI, Karl Schwarz, M.D., Steven Day, Ph.D., and Dan Phillips, Ph.D.

UNYTE offers a pilot funding program open to investigators at research institutions across the Upstate region. The objective of the program is to catalyze the formation of multi-institutional, cross-disciplinary research teams that are focused on a critical issue in clinical or translational research. To receive funding, projects must involve collaboration from at least two UNYTE member institutions. Applicants are strongly encouraged to develop an innovative, team-based approach that reflects the research strengths of the participating institutions, as well as of the investigators themselves.