Advancing Heart Valve Science Through Innovation, Collaboration, and Mentorship: In Memoriam of Dr. Robert A. Levine

Dr. Robert A. Levine, who passed away on April 8, 2026, was an internationally recognized pioneer in heart valve disease, cardiac imaging, and translational cardiovascular research. His groundbreaking discoveries transformed our understanding of mitral valve biology and repair, while his vision for integrating engineering, imaging, molecular biology, and clinical medicine fundamentally shaped the modern field of valvular heart disease. Equally important was his extraordinary commitment to mentorship and international collaboration, which inspired generations of physician-scientists and investigators worldwide.This Research Topic will invite contributions from basic scientists, translational investigators, clinicians, surgeons, and biomedical engineers working across all aspects of heart valve biology and disease. The collection will celebrate Dr. Levine's multidisciplinary vision by bringing together advances spanning molecular mechanisms, biomechanics, imaging, genetics, tissue engineering, computational modeling, and clinical management of valvular heart disease.As a dear friend and mentor to both Prof. Elena Aikawa (Specialty Chief Editor) and Prof. Masanori Aikawa (Field Chief Editor), this collection would both honor his remarkable scientific legacy and serve as an enduring resource highlighting the future directions of the field he helped shape.We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Mitral valve biology, biomechanics, and repair• Aortic valve disease and calcific aortic valve disease• Tricuspid and pulmonary valve disease• Rheumatic heart disease• Heart valve development and genetics• Valve interstitial and endothelial cell biology• Mechanobiology and extracellular matrix remodeling• Advanced cardiac imaging and multimodality diagnostics• Computational modeling and digital approaches to valve disease• Omics technologies and systems biology• Tissue-engineered and regenerative heart valves• Translational discoveries and emerging therapeutic targets• Surgical and transcatheter valve innovations• International collaborations and multidisciplinary approaches in valve researchWe welcome original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, perspectives, opinion pieces, and methodology papers that advance our understanding of heart valve development, disease mechanisms, diagnosis, and therapy. Topic editors: Elena Aikawa, Masanori Aikawa, Natalia Lopez-Andres, Adrien Lupieri, Maria Nunes, Susy Kotit, Walderez Ornelas Dutra, Asishana Avo Osho Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/84036/advancing-heart-valve-science-through-innovation-collaboration-and-mentorship-in-memoriam-of-dr-robert-a-levine