Nepali Scientist Wins Prestigious AHA Postdoctoral Fellowship

Laxman Poudel, Ph.D., from Butwal, Nepal, has won the highly competitive 2026 American Heart Association (AHA) Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), earning $155,000 to support his research in cardiovascular and brain health.

The AHA Postdoctoral Fellowship is awarded to early-career scientists who have not yet become independent investigators and provides up to two years of funding to foster innovation and excellence in cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and brain research.

Poudel’s project investigates how red blood cell surface glycans influence red blood cell–endothelial adhesion, studying conditions like sickle cell disease, atherosclerosis, and sepsis. His research uses hydrogen peroxide to measure high‑mannose levels on red blood cells, with findings suggesting that administering extra mannose could reduce vascular complications.

He completed his Master’s in Physics at Tribhuvan University in Kirtipur, Nepal, and earned a Ph.D. in Nitric Oxide Biochemistry from Wake Forest University in North Carolina. His international training and groundbreaking research highlight Nepal’s growing contribution to global science.

This fellowship will allow Poudel to advance his studies on red blood cell biology and cardiovascular health, potentially leading to innovative treatments for vascular complications, and his achievement exemplifies dedication, innovation, and international scientific excellence.