Starting in 2015, proceeds from the run/walk began funding an annual $25,000 Steve Cullen Healthy Heart Scholar Award and in 2022, we proudly raised that Cullen Scholar award to $50,000!  This award honors a Medical College scientist involved in cutting-edge cardiovascular research, once again placing the money raised directly in the laboratory, where we can make the most difference!

We are proud to announce that our 2026 Cullen Scholar is Elizabeth Sweeny, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry. Dr. Sweeny is studying the differences between the atria (top part of the heart) and ventricles (lower part of the heart) in the cell signaling that leads to heart disease. 

For more information on the work of past Cullen Scholars, see below.

2025 Cullen Scholar John Auchampach

Dr. Auchampach is conducting research to discover ways to regenerate heart tissue for patients who’ve suffered permanent damage from heart attacks.  

2024 Cullen Scholar Benjamin Gantner

Dr. Gantner is studying connections between pneumonia and cardiovascular disease, including heart disease, myocardial infarction and stroke.  Dr. Gantner’s groundbreaking work hopes to pave the way for novel drug therapies that can address pneumonia without having a detrimental effect on the body’s vascular system.

2022 Cullen Scholar Caitlin O’Meara  Click Here

2020 Cullen Scholar Ze Zheng  Click Here

2019 Cullen Scholar Dr. Alison Kriegel Click Here

2018 Cullen Scholar Dr. Julie Freed Click Here.

Great article about our 2018 Cullen Scholar!

2017 Cullen Scholar Dr. Andrew Greene, click here. 

2016 Cullen Scholar, Dr. Peter Frommelt, click here.

2015 Cullen Scholar, Dr. Aron Guerts, click here.

2015 Cullen Healthy Heart Scholar Dr. Aron Geurts gives members of the Cullen Run/Walk committee a tour of his lab and an explanation of how the Cullen Run/Walk donation advanced his research.