Cardiovascular complications are common in patients with SCD and can cause illness, disability, or death, yet the mechanisms for this increased risk are not well understood. Jon Detterich, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of USC and pediatric cardiologist, CHLA, was awarded an NIH Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development (K23) Award to study red blood cell nitric oxide production and its relationship to vascular dysfunction in SCD. He credits SC CTSI’s Clinical Research Support Office of The Saban Research Institute at CHLA with providing critical support for his early work that led to the prestigious award. “I do not believe I would be successful at this point without the initial and ongoing support of the SC CTSI,” said Detterich.