Steven Poelzing, an associate professor at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, was named a fellow of the American Heart Association.

The fellowship is an honor bestowed upon members with exemplary scientific and professional accomplishments, as well as demonstrated volunteer leadership and service.

Poelzing studies how heart cells conduct electricity, and how that conduction can become disrupted. His principal research goal is to understand the mechanisms behind sudden cardiac death, a significant cause of death internationally, especially in teenagers and young adults.

Poelzing serves on the American Heart Association Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences.