Helen E. Collins Lab

About

The Helen E. Collins Lab is located at the University of Louisville in the Center for Cardiometabolic Science (Formerly known as the Diabetes and Obesity Center). 
 
Historically, females have been understudied in the context of preclinical and clinical trials, contributing to an overall reduced knowledge of basic female cardiovascular biology and also how the female heart responds to physiological and pathological stress. Therefore, the overall mission of the Helen E. Collins lab is to understand the mechanisms contributing to female cardiovascular health and resilience.  
 
Under this larger thematic focus, the Helen E. Collins lab has several areas of active investigation, they include: 

Understanding the mechanisms that contribute to pregnancy-induced cardiac growth and its reversal. 
 
Pathophysiological and etiological mechanisms of peripartum cardiomyopathy and other pregnancy-associated cardiovascular complications. 
 
The response of the female heart to pathological stressors and mechanisms underlying sex-dependent changes in post-infarction remodeling. 

Team

Avery Kendall, Bioengineering Co-op Student (2023-2025). Master's in engineering student (2025-present)

Grace Roth, Distinction in Research Track Medical Student (2024-present)

Iona Palmer, Deans Research Scholar (2025-present)

Nora Anderson, Research Technician II (2025-present)

Nathan Simpson, Bioengineering Co-op Student (2025-present)

Current Projects 

• Understanding the Mechanisms Contributing to Pregnancy-Induced Cardiac Growth and its Reversal
• Pathophysiological and etiological mechanisms of peripartum cardiomyopathy.
• Sex-dependent regulation of cardiac metabolism and its impact on post-infarction remodeling.