The Texas Heart Institute is proud to announce Yaxin Wang, PhD, as the John S. Dunn Endowed Chair in Innovative Device & Engineering Applications (IDEA). This historic appointment recognizes Dr. Wang’s remarkable contributions to cardiovascular research and solidifies her leadership of the IDEA Lab.

Established under the vision of Dr. O.H. “Bud” Frazier, the IDEA Lab was formed to pioneer alternatives to heart transplantation. Under Dr. Wang’s direction, the lab has expanded its focus beyond left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) to innovative projects like Pediatric LVADs, Fontan Assist Devices, and Ex-Vivo Lung Perfusion Systems.

Dr. Wang’s expertise and leadership have led to significant advancements, including patent applications for:

• A centrifugal LVAD with wireless power transfer and anti-thrombotic coatings.
• An ex-vivo lung preservation system.

Over the past seven years, funding from the John S. Dunn Chair in Cardiovascular Surgery and Artificial Heart Research has enabled Drs. Frazier and Wang to secure approximately $10.5 million in government grants, furthering these groundbreaking innovations.

“This endowed chair not only honors Dr. Wang’s exceptional achievements but also underscores the importance of fostering the next generation of cardiovascular pioneers,” said Joseph G. Rogers, MD, president and CEO of The Texas Heart Institute.

Dr. Wang’s appointment marks a milestone as the first woman at THI to hold an endowed chair, reflecting THI’s commitment to diversity and excellence in research. This $2M endowed chair, made possible by the generous match from the Dunn Foundation, ensures the continuation of high-risk, high-reward research and positions the IDEA Lab as a global leader in engineering solutions for cardiovascular care.

Darren Woodside, PhD, Vice President for Research at The Texas Heart Institute, added “We are excited to celebrate this momentous achievement as Dr. Wang leads the IDEA Lab into a future filled with innovation and discovery.”

Stay tuned for updates on the life-changing advancements emerging from this remarkable team.