Kibbe, Melina
Primary Appointment
Dean of the School of Medicine and Chief Health Affairs Officer UVA Health, Surgery
Contact Information
Email: erv2vm@virginia.edu
Research Disciplines
Biotechnology, Physiology, Translational Science
Research Interests
Developing novel therapies for patients with vascular disease.
Research Description
A. Personal Statement
I am an active, practicing vascular surgeon who has also maintained an independently funded basic science/translational research laboratory since 2003. My clinical practice is focused on the care of patients with vascular disease, including, but not limited to, peripheral arterial disease, carotid artery disease, abdominal aortic aneurysmal disease, and hemodialysis access. As a surgeon-scientist, I have been performing independent research and mentoring trainees in the conduct of hypothesis-driven research. To date, I have mentored 37 postdoctoral fellows, 7 graduate students, 13 medical students, and 20 undergraduate students in research. I have also had significant experience with clinical research and clinical trials, having served as site PI or national PI of gene- and cell-based therapies for critical limb ischemia. Lastly, I have experience with PCORI-funded clinical trials and currently serve as a collaborator on a trial for patients with PAD.
Highlighted Ongoing and recently completed projects include:
1R01HL129156-01A1, Kibbe (PI) 1/1/19 – 12/31/22
National Institutes of Health
A Novel Endovascular Approach to Remove Atherosclerotic Plaque Lesions In Situ
Goal: To develop novel technology to treat atherosclerosis in situ
Role: PI
Merit Review Grant BX004930, Kibbe (PI) 7/01/20 – 6/30/28
Department of Veterans Affairs
Novel in situ custom biodegradable drug-eluting stents for endovascular surgery
Goal: To develop a novel biodegradable polymeric drug-eluting stent for the vasculature.
Role: PI
5R01HL126117-04 R01 McDermott (PI), Kibbe (Consultant) 8/17/15 – 4/30/22
National Institutes of Health
TELmisartan plus EXercise to improve functioning in PAD: The TELEX Trial.
Goal: This study will establish the therapeutic benefit of telmisartan with and without exercise, the TELEX Study will identify biological pathways associated with improved functional performance in participants with PAD.
Role: Consultant
5R01HL131771-03 McDermott (PI), Kibbe (Consultant) 12/9/16 – 11/30/22
National Institutes of Health
Improve PAD Performance with metformin: The PERMET Trial
Goal: This placebo controlled double-blind randomized clinical trial will determine whether metformin (2,000 mgs daily) improves and/or prevents decline in walking performance in people with PAD
Role: Consultant
5R01AG05769302, McDermott (PI), Kibbe (Consultant) 8/1/18 – 430/23
National Institutes of Health
Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Disability Reversal in PAD: The INTERCEDE Trial
Goal: To determine whether treatment with intermittent pneumatic compressive augments the benefits of exercise and improves walking performance compared to control.
Role: Consultant
1R01AG068458-01A1, McDermott (PI), Kibbe (Consultant) 7/1/21 – 6/30/26
National Institutes of Health
COCOA flavanols to improve walking performance in PAD: the COCOA-PAD II Trial
Goal: To definitively determine whether 6-months of cocoa flavanols significantly improves 6- minute walk distance at six-month follow-up, compared to placebo
Role: Consultant
Citations:
1. McDermott MM, Spring B, Tian L, Treat-Jacobson D, Ferrucci L, Lloyd-Jones D, Zhao L, Polonsky T, Kibbe MR, Bazzano L, Guralnik JM, Forman DE, Rego A, Zhang D, Domanchuk K, Leeuwenburgh C, Sufit R, Smith B, Manini T, Criqui MH, Rejeski WJ. Effect of Low-Intensity vs High-Intensity Home-Based Walking Exercise on Walk Distance in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease: The LITE Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2021 Apr 6;325(13):1266-1276. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.2536. PMID: 33821898; PMCID: PMC8025122.
2. Slysz JT, Rejeski WJ, Treat-Jacobson D, Bazzano LA, Forman DE, Manini TM, Criqui MH, Tian L, Zhao L, Zhang D, Guralnik JM, Ferrucci L, Kibbe MR, Polonsky TS, Spring B, Sufit R, Leeuwenburgh C, McDermott MM. Sustained physical activity in peripheral artery disease: Associations with disease severity, functional performance, health-related quality of life, and subsequent serious adverse events in the LITE randomized clinical trial. Vasc Med. 2021 Apr 8:1358863X21989430. doi:10.1177/1358863X21989430. Online ahead of print. PMID: 33829920.
3. McDermott MM, Kibbe MR. Safety of paclitaxel-coated devices in peripheral artery disease. Nat Rev Cardiol. 2021 May;18(5):311-312. doi: 10.1038/s41569-021-00531-6. PMID: 33633369.
4. Patel K, Polonsky TS, Kibbe MR, Guralnik JM, Tian L, Ferrucci L, Criqui MH, Sufit R, Leeuwenburgh C, Zhang D, Zhao L, McDermott MM. Clinical characteristics and response to supervised exercise therapy of people with lower extremity peripheral artery disease. J Vasc Surg. 2021 Feb;73(2):608-625. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2020.04.498. PMID: 32416309.
B. Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honors
Positions and Scientific Appointments
9/21-present Dean, University of Virginia (UVA) School of Medicine, VA
9/21-present James Carroll Flippin Professor of Medical Science, UVA School of Medicine, VA
9/21-present Professor, Departments of Surgery and Biomedical Engineering, UVA, VA
9/21-present Adjunct Professor, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
12/17-9/21 Colin G. Thomas, Jr. Distinguished Professor, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
9/16-9/21 Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
8/16-present Staff Physician, Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC
7/16-9/21 Chair, Department of Surgery, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
7/16-present Adjunct Professor, Northwestern University, FSM, Chicago, IL
7/16-9/21 Professor with Tenure, University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine, Chapel Hill
7/16-11/17 Zack D. Owens Distinguished Professor, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
9/13-6/16 Professor with Tenure, Northwestern University, FSM, Chicago, IL
9/11-6/16 Edward G. Elcock Professor of Surgical Research, Northwestern Univ, FSM, Chicago, IL
9/11-6/16 Deputy Director, Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern Uni, Chicago
4/11-6/16 Vice Chair of Research, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University, FSM, Chicago, IL
2008-present Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Vesseltek Biomedical LLC, Chicago, IL
9/08-8/11 Associate Professor, Northwestern University, FSM, Chicago, IL
7/07-6/16 Site Program Director, Vascular Surgery Fellowship, JBVAMC, Chicago, IL
2/07-6/16 Chief, Vascular Surgery, JBVAMC, Chicago, IL
1/04-2013 Director of the Vascular Laboratory, JBVAMC, Chicago, IL
7/03-8/16 Staff Physician, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center (JBVAMC), Chicago, IL
7/03-8/08 Assistant Professor, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine (FSM), Chicago, IL
Selected Honors
2019 Senior Clinical Scientist Award, Biomedical Laboratory R&D, Department of Veterans Affairs
2019 Presidential Citation, Association of VA Surgeons
2016 National Academy of Medicine, member
2016 Tripartite Award, Landsberg Research Day, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
2011 George Joost Outstanding Teacher in Structure-Function, NU Feinberg School of Medicine
2009 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (President Obama)
2006-2007 AMWA Gender Equity Award
2008-2015 Outstanding Teacher Award (n=9), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
2005-2017 Excellence in Teaching Award (n=10), Northwestern University Dept of Surgery
2002 Association of Women Surgeons Outstanding Woman Resident Award
1999 Society of Vascular Surgery Lifeline Award
1998-1999 Society of University Surgeons/Ethicon Resident Research Fellowship
1999-2000 Thoracic Surgery Foundation Nina Starr Braunwald Research Fellowship
1998 American Society of Gene Therapy Young Investigators Award
1994 American Medical Women’s Association Award
1993 Alpha Omega Alpha
Other Experience and Professional Memberships
Society Membership: American College of Surgeons (Fellow), Association of Women Surgeons, North American Vascular Biology Organization, American Heart Association (Fellow), Society for Vascular Surgery, Member (Distinguished Fellow), Association for Academic Surgery (Past President), Society for Free Radical Biology and Medicine, Nitric Oxide Society, The Association of Veterans Affairs Surgeons (President), Midwestern Vascular Surgical Society (President), Society of University Surgeons, American Physiological Society, Society of Clinical Surgery, Surgical Biology Club II, American Surgical Association, American Society of Clinical Investigation, National Academy of Medicine
Study Section Service: BTSS Study Section, Member 7/15 – present, Ad hoc member 1/13-6/15; VA Surgery Study Section, Member 2010-2013; Bioengineering Research Partnership CSR Study Section, Ad hoc reviewer, 2006; CV Sciences Small Business Activities CSR Study Section, Ad hoc reviewer, 2006-present.
Editorial Duties: JAMA Surgery, Editor-in-Chief 2015-present; Journal of Surgical Research, Associate Editor 2009-2014; Annals of Surgery, editorial board; JACS, editorial board; JVS Science editorial board.
Clinical Licensures and Board Certifications: American Board of Surgery Certificate (active, expires 7/1/23); American Board of Surgery Certificate of Added Qualifications in Vascular Surgery (active, expires 7/1/24); Federal DEA License (active), State of North Carolina Medical License (active); ARDMS RVT (active)
C. Contributions to Science
1. A long-term goal for my research efforts as a vascular surgeon-scientist is to develop novel drug-releasing therapies for patients with vascular disease. Toward that goal, I have collaborated with chemists, biomedical engineers, material scientists, and engineers, among others. Together, we have developed nitric oxide-based therapeutics, including nitric oxide-releasing vascular grafts, perivascular wraps, and novel biodegradable elastomeric arterial stents. The publications below represent team science and are all collaborative efforts.
a) Rink JS, Sun W, Misener S, Wang JJ, Zhang ZJ, Kibbe MR, Dravid VP, Venkatraman S, Thaxton CS. Nitric Oxide-Delivering High-Density Lipoprotein-like Nanoparticles as a Biomimetic Nanotherapy for Vascular Diseases. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2018 Feb 28; 10(8):6904-6916. doi: 10.1021/acsami.7b18525. PMID: 29385802.
b) Albaghdadi M, Yang J, Brown J, Mansukhani N, Ameer GA, and Kibbe MR. A Tailorable In Situ Light-Activated Biodegradable Vascular Scaffold. Adv. Mater. Technol. 2017, 2, 1600243. PMID: 29578542; PMCID: PMC5860681.
c) Gregory EK, Webb A, Vercammen JM, Kelly ME, Akar B, van Lith R, Bahnson EM, Jiang W, Ameer GA, Kibbe MR. Inhibiting intimal hyperplasia in prosthetic vascular grafts via immobilized all-trans retinoic acid. J Control Release. 2018 Mar 28; 274:69-80. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.01.020. PMID: 29391231; PMCID: PMC5847482.
d) Wang Z, Mansukhani NA, Emond ZM, Varu VN, Chen A, Morgan CE, Vercammen JM, Kibbe MR. Endoluminal Atherosclerotic Plaque Debulking Using Enzymatic and Ultrasonic Energy. J Surg Res. 2019 Jan;233:335-344. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2018.08.012. PMID: 30502268.
2. Over the past decade, our lab has developed a suite of targeted, drug-delivering nanotherapeutics for the vasculature. These therapies have been designed to prevent neointimal hyperplasia, prevent hemorrhage, and target atherosclerosis to induce plaque reduction.
a) Moyer TJ, Kassam HA, Bahnson ES, Morgan CE, Tantakitti F, Chew TL, Kibbe MR, Stupp SI. Shape-Dependent Targeting of Injured Blood Vessels by Peptide Amphiphile Supramolecular Nanostructures. Small. 2015 Jun;11(23):2750-5. PMID: 25649528; PMCID: PMC4478239.
b) Morgan CE, Dombrowski AW, Rubert Peŕez CM, Bahnson ESM, Tsihlis ND, Jiang W, Jiang Q, Vercammen JM, Prakash VS, Pritts TA, Stupp SI, Kibbe MR. Correction to Tissue-Factor Targeted Peptide Amphiphile Nanofibers as an Injectable Therapy To Control Hemorrhage. ACS Nano. 2018 Nov 27;12(11):11711. doi:10.1021/acsnano.8b07028. PMID: 30481963.
c) Peters EB, Tsihlis ND, Karver MR, Chin SM, Musetti B, Ledford BT, Bahnson EM, Stupp SI, Kibbe MR. Atheroma Niche-Responsive Nanocarriers for Immunotherapeutic Delivery. Adv Healthc Mater. 2019 Feb;8(3):e1801545. doi: 10.1002/adhm.201801545. PMID: 30620448; PMCID: PMC6367050.
d) Klein MK, Kassam HA, Lee RH, Bergmeier W, Peters EB, Gillis DC, Dandurand BR, Rouan JR, Karver MR, Struble MD, Clemons TD, Palmer LC, Gavitt B, Pritts TA, Tsihlis ND, Stupp SI, Kibbe MR. Development of Optimized Tissue-Factor-Targeted Peptide Amphiphile Nanofibers to Slow Noncompressible Torso Hemorrhage. ACS Nano. 2020 Jun 23;14(6):6649-6662. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.9b09243. PMID: 32469498; PMCID: PMC7587470.
3. As part of developing novel drug-releasing technologies for the vasculature, our lab has been committed to understanding how these therapies impact the vascular wall. By having a greater understanding of their impact, better therapies can be designed and developed. In addition, we have had a great interest in understanding the role of sex as well as the metabolic state in regulating the arterial injury response.
a) Morales RC, Bahnson ES, Havelka GE, Cantu-Medellin N, Kelley EE, Kibbe MR. Sex-based Differential Regulation of Oxidative Stress in the vasculature by Nitric Oxide. Redox Biol. 2015 Jan 13;4C:226-233. PMID: 25617803; PMCID: PMC4803798.
b) Bahnson EM, Vavra AK, Vercammen JM, Flynn ME, Schwartz AR, Jiang Q, Kibbe MR. Long-term effect of PROLI/NO on cellular proliferation and phenotype after arterial injury. Free Radic Biol Med. 2016 Jan;90:272-86. PMID: 26627935; PMCID: PMC4698201.
c) Mansukhani NA, Wang Z, Shively VP, Kelly ME, Vercammen JM, and Kibbe MR. Sex Differences in the LDL Receptor Knockout Mouse Model of Atherosclerosis. Artery Research (2017) 20,8-11. PMID: 29430260; PMCID: PMC5805154.
d) Kassam HA, Bahnson EM, Cartaya A, Jiang W, Avram MJ, Tsihlis ND, Stupp SI, Kibbe MR. Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of a collagen-targeted peptide amphiphile for cardiovascular applications. Pharmacol Res Perspect. 2020 Dec;8(6):e00672. doi: 10.1002/prp2.672. PMID: 33090704; PMCID: PMC7580710.
4. Evaluating sex as a variable in biomedical and clinical research is incredibly important to the advancement of medicine. As such, I have studied how investigators have conducted sex biased versus sex inclusive research in the medical literature. Some of these efforts have led to policy change with the National Institutes of Health, and initiatives with the FDA and the federal government.
a) Yoon DY, Mansukhami NA, Stubbs VC, Helenowski IB, Woodruff TK, Kibbe MR. Sex bias exists in basic science and translational research. Surgery. 2014 Sep; 156(3):508-16. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2014.07.001. Review. PMID: 25175501.
b) Mansukhani NA, Yoon DY, Teter KA, Stubbs VC, Helenowski IB, Woodruff TK, Kibbe MR. Determining If Sex Bias Exists in Human Surgical Clinical Research. JAMA Surgery. 2016 Aug 17. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2016.2032. PMID: 27551816; PMCID: PMC5142632.
c) Xiao N, Mansukhani NA, Mendes de Oliveira DF, Kibbe MR. Association of Author Gender With Sex Bias in Surgical Research. JAMA Surg. 2018 Jul 1;153(7):663-670. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2018.0040. PMID: 29590329; PMCID: PMC5875386.
d) Mercel A, Newton ER, Marulanda K, Klein M, Helenowski I, Kibbe MR. Sex bias persists in surgical research: A 5-year follow-up study. Surgery. 2021 Apr 1:S0039-6060(21)00165-3. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2021.02.041. PMID: 33814189.
5. As a practicing vascular surgeon, I have had a long-standing interest in improving the care of patients with vascular disease through evidence-based medicine. As such, I have significant experience participating in clinical research and clinical trials, having served as national PI, site PI, co-investigator, or consultant on clinical trials for patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and critical limb ischemia.
a) McDermott MM, Ferrucci L, Tian L, Guralnik JM, Lloyd-Jones D, Kibbe MR, Polonsky TS, Domanchuk K, Stein JH, Zhao L, Taylor D, Skelly C, Pearce W, Perlman H, McCarthy W, Li L, Gao Y, Sufit R, Bloomfield CL, Criqui MH. Effect of Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor With or Without Supervised Exercise on Walking Performance in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease: The PROPEL Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2017 Dec 5; 318(21):2089-2098. doi: 10.1001/jama.2017.17437. PMID: 29141087; PMCID: PMC5820720.
b) McDermott MM, Spring B, Berger JS, Treat-Jacobson D, Conte MS, Creager MA, Criqui MH, Ferrucci L, Gornik HL, Guralnik JM, Hahn EA, Henke P, Kibbe MR, Kohlman-Trighoff D, Li L, Lloyd-Jones D, McCarthy W, Polonsky TS, Skelly C, Tian L, Zhao L, Zhang D, Rejeski WJ. Effect of a Home-Based Exercise Intervention of Wearable Technology and Telephone Coaching on Walking Performance in Peripheral Artery Disease: The HONOR Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2018 Apr 24;319(16):1665-1676. doi: 10.1001/jama.2018.3275. PMID: 29710165; PMCID: PMC5933394.
c) McDermott MM, Peterson CA, Sufit R, Ferrucci L, Guralnik JM, Kibbe MR, Polonsky TS, Tian L, Criqui MH, Zhao L, Stein JH, Li L, Leeuwenburgh C. Peripheral artery disease, calf skeletal muscle mitochondrial DNA copy number, and functional performance. Vasc Med. 2018 Aug;23(4):340-348. doi: 10.1177/1358863X18765667. PMID: 29734865; PMCID: PMC6100735.
d) McDermott MM, Kibbe MR, Guralnik JM, Ferrucci L, Criqui MH, Domanchuk K, Tian L, Zhao L, Li L, Patel K, Polonsky TS. Durability of Benefits From Supervised Treadmill Exercise in People With Peripheral Artery Disease. J Am Heart Assoc. 2019 Jan 8;8(1):e009380. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.118.009380. PMID: 30587066; PMCID: PMC6405705.
Complete List of Published Work in My Bibliography: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/melina.kibbe.1/bibliography/41147647/public/