Sharon Gerecht Receives 2026 Florence R. Sabin Award

Sharon Gerecht, the Paul M. Gross Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Duke University, received the 2026 Florence R. Sabin Award from the North American Vascular Biology Organization (NAVBO). Named after Dr. Florence Sabin, the award recognizes scientists who pursue innovative vascular biology research and serve as dedicated mentors within their communities.

An internationally recognized pioneer in stem cell and vascular bioengineering, Gerecht’s research centers on understanding how the tissue’s microenvironment regulates its response, with the long-term goal of developing countermeasures and therapeutics. Her lab simulates mechanical and physical stressors to understand tissue function, reliance and homeostasis, uncovering pathways in injury, aging and disease to guide tissue healing and regeneration. This work has consistently received support from a diverse portfolio of federal and foundation sources, including the American Heart Association, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health.

The broad impact of her pioneering work on the field of medicine has been immense, culminating in her election to the National Academy of Medicine in 2019. She is also an elected fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences and the National Academy of Inventors.

Gerecht joined Duke Engineering at the start of 2022, having previously been the Edward J. Schaeffer Professor of Engineering and director of the Institute for NanoBio Technology at Johns Hopkins University. Shortly after joining, she was named the Paul M. Gross Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering and accepted the position of associate dean for research and infrastructure. During her tenure in this role, she guided Duke Engineering’s strategic investments made under the Beyond the Horizon Program, which was inspired by the Thinking BIG: Pratt 2039 visioning exercise that called for an “explore and amplify” strategy when investing in high-risk, high-reward areas. She was appointed chair of Duke BME in 2024, where she helped guide the department’s Strategic Vision for the future.

“I am honored and thrilled to receive this award! Having been a member of NAVBO for nearly 20 years makes this recognition all the more meaningful,” said Gerecht. “This award celebrates Florence Sabin, a trailblazing scientist, and I am proud to be connected to her pioneering spirit and legacy.”

Gerecht will be presented with the award on October 21, 2026, at VB2026 in Pacific Grove, California.