Future Doctor, Current Research Scientist

Paul Garabelli, '02, combines medical school with research

Friday, November 21, 2003

“The large volume of information that we have to digest in medical school in a day and remember can be incredibly intimidating,” says Paul Garabelli, ’02, modestly explaining that he actually does his research in the summer, not during the school year.  Nonetheless Garabelli is not only excelling in his studies at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, he recently won an award during Wake Forest University’s Medical Student Research Day.  Garabelli placed second among a record number of 37 entrants in the 19-year-old competition. 

Wake Forest’s medical school encourages its top students (roughly 24 out of a class of 400+) to pursue research projects in addition to their medical studies, “to increase the number of physicians pursuing a career in academic medicine, which combines teaching, research and patient care,” according to its website.  Garabelli affirms the importance of this goal.  “Medical school requires a massive amount of memorization,” he notes.  “The research this summer enabled me to take more of a mechanistic and analytical approach to specific problems.”

Garabelli’s research (done with Mark Chappell, associate professor of general surgery) focuses on the study of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a newly-discovered enzyme that regulates blood pressure. Garabelli and Chappell’s research is “the first to characterize ACE2 within a mouse heart –which will be an important animal-model in exploring pharmaceutical applications,” says Garabelli.”  Since ACE2 was recently found in human hearts, this enzyme could very well become a screening test for cardiac dysfunction or could help lower blood pressure.”  Garabelli is quick to note that these possibilities represent “initial guesses,” but, he goes on to say, “all are very exciting.”

“I started research with [Albion College chemistry professor Lisa] Lewis to determine if I would enjoy it,” says Garabelli, reflecting on the very beginnings of his research career.  “I think the fact that I chose to continue research in medical school is proof enough of the positive experience and exemplary leadership I received at Albion. Through a FURSCA summer research grant and during my collegiate studies … I learned a great deal [that] helped in my current work.” 

In April, 2004, Garabelli will take his first medical board exams, after which he hopes to focus his training in cardiology, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases.

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