Robert Gourdie

Robert Gourdie is a Professor at Virginia Tech, holding appointments in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics (College of Engineering) and the Departments of Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine (School of Medicine). He is the Director of the Center for Vascular and Heart Research at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC and holds the Heywood Fralin Endowed Professorship and the Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund Eminent Scholar in Heart Reparative Medicine Research.

His research focuses on connexin proteins and gap junctions in cardiac and vascular systems, with applications in heart repair, wound healing, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and cancer therapy—especially glioblastoma and drug-resistant cancers. He has pioneered the development of peptide-based therapeutics such as alphaCT1 (aCT1), now in Phase III clinical trials for wound healing and radiation injury. His lab explores ephaptic coupling and connexin hemichannels in injury propagation and repair mechanisms.

The most recent publications highlight his work on exosome-based drug delivery from milk, cancer stem cell targeting, scar reduction, and cardioprotection. These studies reflect a strong trend toward translational and commercial applications of basic science discoveries in regenerative medicine and oncology.

• NIH R35 Outstanding Investigator Award
• Senior Member, National Academy of Inventors
• Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE)
• Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund Eminent Scholar (2012–Present)
• MUSC Board of Trustees’ Eminent Scholar (2008–2012)
• Prizewinner, Charleston Business Journal Innovator (2006)
• National Science Foundation Early Career Scholar (1998)

Gourdie has mentored graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, including Zachary Williams and Md Ruhul Amin. He has secured major grants, including an NIH R35 award, and has founded or co-founded biotech companies such as Xequel Bio Inc., Acomhal Research Inc., and The Tiny Cargo Co. to translate discoveries into therapies. His lab fosters a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment focused on innovation and commercialization.

He leads the Center for Vascular and Heart Research and is involved in the Cancer Research Center at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute. His team includes research assistants, postdoctoral associates, graduate students, and administrative coordinators, all contributing to a dynamic research ecosystem in cardiovascular and regenerative medicine.