During her second year of undergraduate research in the lab of Aldrin Gomes, Emily Eijansantos felt ready for a solo project. She’d spent her sophomore year learning the lab’s techniques and shadowing more experienced undergraduates. She felt prepared. But like many things in life, the project—studying ibuprofen’s effects on heart cells—had its hurdles.

The world is a better place because of the work of our Chancellor’s Fellows — early-career faculty members working to improve health, understand the challenges facing endangered species, cut greenhouse gas emissions and more. This year’s class of Chancellor’s Fellows comprises 11 associate professors, including Associate Professor Aldrin Gomes, Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior.

Researchers have known for more than a decade that the risk of heart disease and stroke increases when people take pain relievers like ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. Now, scientists from the University of California, Davis, have uncovered some of the reasons why these drugs can harm heart tissue.