Leo Wan, an associate professor of biomedical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has been named a fellow of the American Heart Association.

According to the association, fellowship recognizes members for “excellence, innovative and sustained contributions in the areas of scholarship, practice, and/or education, and volunteer service.”

Wan’s research centers on developing novel strategies for tissue regeneration and repair, innovative devices for disease diagnosis, and drug screening. His research into the chirality of developing heart cells is providing vital information about heart health during critical stages of development — with the potential of helping to prevent congenital heart defects. Wan’s work has also explored the effects of cell chirality on the leakiness of blood vessels.