This funding will further his research regarding the impact thyroid dysfunction has on cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the leading cause of death in the United States. The NIH R15 grant totals $574,000 and will allow Rajagopalan to expand his cardiovascular research program at NYITCOM at A-State. “Thyroid dysfunction is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and, in some patient populations, a higher rate of deaths,” Rajagopalan said. Rajagopalan conducts his research at the Arkansas Biosciences Institute on the Arkansas State University campus. Earlier this year, Rajagopalan was named a Fellow of the American Heart Association in recognition of his work in cardiovascular research.