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James T. Willerson, M.D. Cardiovascular Sciences Seminar Series

Fall 2026 Seminars

The CVRI is pleased to announce our partnership with the Texas Heart Institute at ºÚÁÏÉçÇø to jointly organize the James T. Willerson, M.D. Cardiovascular Sciences Seminar Series. Together with the Texas Heart Institute at ºÚÁÏÉçÇø, we aim to honor Dr. Willerson's significant contributions to cardiovascular science and medicine. To learn more about Dr. Willerson's legacy, visit the .

Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit will be available to eligible attendees for all seminars. For further details, visit the .

Seminars are open to all who are interested in cardiovascular sciences and are held on select Wednesdays at noon.

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Sept. 9, 2026


Professor
Director, Center for Metabolic and Degenerative Disease Research
McGovern Medical School
UTHealth Houston

Seminar Location: Kleberg Auditorium

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Sept. 23, 2026


Professor
Department of Medicine
University Scholar
University of Louisville

Seminar Location: McMillian Auditorium

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Oct. 7, 2026


Professor 
Department of Internal Medicine 
UT Southwestern Medical Center

Seminar Location: Kleberg Auditorium

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Oct. 21, 2026


Professor
Department of Biology and Biochemistry
University of Houston

Seminar Location: McMillian Auditorium

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Nov. 4, 2026

Thomas Horvath, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Pathology & Immunology
Texas Children’s 
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Seminar Location: McMillian Auditorium

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Nov. 18, 2026


Professor 
Department of Physiology 
Director, Center for Cardiometabolic Science
University of Louisville

Seminar Location: McMillian Auditorium

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Dec. 2, 2026


Professor of Medicine
Director, Cardiovascular Research Institute
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

The Dr. Mark L. Entman Distinguished Lecture
Location: Kleberg Auditorium

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Dec. 9, 2026

Ying Shen, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Surgery
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
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Seminar Location: Kleberg Auditorium

Spring 2026 Seminars

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Jan. 7, 2026

Ketan Ghaghada, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Radiology
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Texas Children’s Hospital

Seminar Location: McMillian Auditorium

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Jan. 21, 2026


Associate Professor
Department of Pediatrics
The Ohio State University
Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Seminar Location: McMillian Auditorium

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Feb. 11, 2026


Associate Professor
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
McGovern Medical School
UT Health

Seminar Location: McMillian Auditorium

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Feb. 25, 2026


Professor 
Department of Medicine
Co-Director UCLA-Caltech Medical
Scientist Training Program (MSTP)

Seminar Location: McMillian Auditorium

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March 4, 2026

Guizhen Zhao, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences
College of Pharmacy
University of Houston

Seminar Location: McMillian Auditorium

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April 29, 2026

Sandhya Thomas, M.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Medicine-Nephrology 
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Seminar Location: McMillian Auditorium

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May 13, 2026


Assistant Professor
Department of Pathology and Bioengineering (Joint)
University of Washington

Seminar Location: McMillian Auditorium

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May 27, 2026

Na Li, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Medicine 
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Seminar Location: McMillian Auditorium