Katherine Holzem, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has received the 2026 Early Career Investigator Award from the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Society (VESS). The award recognizes early-career vascular surgeon-scientists for basic/translational science, educational, clinical, or health outcomes research.
Holzem’s research has focuses on peripheral arterial disease and the molecular processes at play in the development of arterial calcification. She has experience in spatial transcriptomic and tissue sequencing methodologies. Holzem also serves as a mentor for trainees in the CardioVascular Research Innovation in Surgery and Engineering Center (CVISE).
The Early Career Investigator Award recipient receives a $22,500 grant for basic/translational science, educational, clinical, or health outcomes research. This award is presented to a VESS member who is a full-time vascular surgery faculty within 5 years of completing surgical training at the time of submitting the grant application. Prior to joining the faculty in the Division of Vascular Surgery, Holzem completed medical school, a doctoral program, and an integrated vascular surgery residency, all at WashU Medicine.