Brajesh K. Lal

Dr. Brajesh K. Lal is a Professor of Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He serves as Director of the NIH Vascular Imaging Core Facility, Director of the Center for Vascular Research, and Director of the UMMC Center for Vascular Diagnostics. Additionally, he is President of the American Venous Forum and Chief of the Baltimore VA Medical Center Vascular Surgery. With over 125 publications, Dr. Lal is a leading clinician-scientist who pioneered research in cognitive-mobility function related to carotid stenosis.

Education:

• 1982-1988: Medical School, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India
• 1988-1992: M.S., Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India
• 1992-1994: Fogarty Research Fellowship, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
• 1994-1999: Surgery Residency, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
• 1999-2001: Vascular Surgery Fellowship, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
• Certifications: Vascular Surgery (2006-present), Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (2001-present)

Dr. Lal's research fundamentally changed our understanding of cerebrovascular disease beyond stroke outcomes. His work focuses on how carotid artery plaque structure affects brain function, cognitive decline, and mobility issues. As co-Principal Investigator of the largest NIH-funded stroke prevention trial, he determines optimal treatments for carotid atherosclerosis. His research examines plaque characteristics' correlation with cognitive function and how interventions like pharmacotherapy, rehabilitation, and surgery improve outcomes.

Dr. Lal's recent publications reflect leadership in vascular imaging, carotid disease research, and venous disorders. His work spans clinical trials methodology (particularly CREST-2), quantitative carotid plaque assessment using advanced imaging, and innovative venous disease management. A significant portion investigates the relationship between asymptomatic carotid stenosis and cognitive function, representing a paradigm shift in understanding vascular contributions to cognitive impairment. His publications also address practical clinical issues in vascular surgery practice patterns, endovenous ablation trends, and novel wound healing approaches for venous ulcers.

Scientific Awards:

• Multiple Best Research Paper awards (2000-2009) as researcher and mentor
• Young Investigator's Award, Eastern Vascular Society (2002)
• Faculty Research Award, American College of Surgeons (2003)
• Top 5% research paper recognition at major conferences (2012)
• Student Research Fellowship Award (2019)
• Best Abstract (mentor), SVS Vascular Annual Meeting (2019)

Dr. Lal serves as Principal Investigator on multiple NIH-funded grants including the Vascular Imaging Core facility for CREST-Hemodynamics, the National Carotid Registry (C2R), and the Carotid Revascularization endarterectomy versus Stent trial-2 (CREST-2). He mentors junior faculty through VA Mentored Career Development Awards and NIH Pepper Center Junior Investigator Awards, focusing on peripheral arterial disease in obese patients and angiogenesis research. As Director of the Center for Vascular Diagnostics, he manages one of the largest clinical vascular laboratories in the country, performing over 15,000 tests annually. The center adjudicates imaging data from multiple NIH, VA, and DOD-funded studies. He also leads the NIH Vascular Imaging Core Facility and oversees the American Venous Registry as President of the American Venous Forum.