Dr. Mariann Piano is currently the Nancy and Hilliard Travis Professor of Nursing and Senior Associate Dean for Research at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (VUSN). Dr. Piano received her Master’s and Doctorate of Philosophy degrees from the University of Illinois at Chicago and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Rush University.  Dr. Piano has a distinguished career in the areas of cardiovascular health sciences, nursing, and substance abuse. She is an internationally recognized cardiovascular nurse scientist. Using various investigative techniques and through the wide dissemination of her research, she has advanced the understanding of the adverse effects of unhealthy drinking patterns on the cardiovascular system, as well as the deleterious synergy between tobacco and alcohol. She is also interested in how alcohol use along with other substances affect vulnerable populations, such as persons with HIV.  Dr. Piano’s research has been supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and the National Center for Research Resources.  She has authored more than 100 journal articles and many book chapters. She has supported health policy related to cannabis and tobacco product harm by serving as the co-author of several American Heart Association policy statements related to both cannabis and tobacco products. She has a strong commitment to the career development of early career scientists. She has served as a faculty mentor for more than 35 doctoral students, 8 postdoctoral fellows and numerous early career faculty. She currently serves as the Director of the VUSN Postdoctoral program. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and is a past recipient of the distinguished American Heart Association Katherine Lembright Award.