AU professor named to International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences

Dr. Joseph Janicki, associate dean of Research and Graduate Studies, has spent 39 years researching heart diseases to help humans and animals. He holds a Ph.D. in physiology and biophysics and has been at Auburn since 1995.

“We are conducting many research projects at Auburn that can help reduce and prevent heart disease,” Dr. Janicki said. “It’s an honor to be selected and represent Auburn University.”

He is recognized internationally for his research on factors involved in the onset of heart failure, and for developing a cardiopulmonary exercise test to evaluate the severity of heart failure in patients, their exercise capacity and the effectiveness of treatment regimens.

“Heart disease is the number one killer,” said Dr. Naranjan Dhalla, executive director of the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences. “We believe a major problem is the lack of transmission of knowledge from the researchers to the public. The academy is working to spread news about discoveries that can help save lives.”

Dr. Janicki is also a fellow of the American Heart Association and past-president of the Lee County chapter of the American Heart Association.

His career began at the National Heart Institute in Bethesda, Md., and then went on to include the medical schools at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, University of Pennsylvania, University of Chicago and University of Missouri. His research includes both basic and clinical investigations which have resulted in more than 220 scientific articles and two books.

Throughout his career, Dr. Janicki has enjoyed continuous support for his research program from the federal government, the American Heart Association and industry. During his tenure at Auburn, he has acquired more than $4 million from these sources to support his laboratory’s research efforts.