Behind her successful debut at a major scientific conference, Lara Stevens, a senior majoring in Chemistry and Biology, and a Dean’s ASPIRE Grantee, remembers feeling nervous before stepping onto the stage at the 2025 American Heart Association Conference. Like many first-time presenters, Lara turned to a simple yet powerful source of motivation, the spirited Nike slogan, “Just do it.” Embracing that mindset, she overcame her fears and delivered her poster session with confidence. 

Lara’s research, “Phosphorylation of CHIP Protects Ovariectomized Mice from Myocardial Infarction,” explores the molecular mechanisms that may protect heart function following estrogen loss, a critical issue in women’s cardiovascular health. 

Reflecting on her experience, the Dean’s ASPIRE Grant recipient shared, “I am very grateful for this opportunity, which has helped me realize my strengths and weaknesses in presenting and consider new ideas for my project.” 

The 2025 conference, held in Baltimore from July 22–26, brought together scientists and clinicians from across the cardiovascular field, including molecular and cellular biologists, physiologists, translational investigators, clinical trialists, cardiologists, and cardiovascular nurses and pharmacists. 

Though Lara initially felt apprehensive about attending her first scientific conference, the support from her principal investigator, mentor, and peers made the experience rewarding. Now, she’s already looking forward to her next opportunity to present before graduating in May 2026.