2024 3CPR Mid-Career Award and Lecture - Vinicio A. de Jesus Perez, MD, FAHA

Dr. Vinicio de Jesus Perez is associate dean of MD Admissions at Stanford School of Medicine and professor of medicine in the division of pulmonary, allergy & critical care medicine (PACCM). His academic journey began with a medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico Medical School, followed by a distinguished residency in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. Subsequently, he pursued specialized pulmonary and critical care medicine training in Denver, complemented by postdoctoral research at Stanford.

Dedicated to advancing knowledge in pulmonary hypertension (PH), Dr. de Jesus Perez leads a multifaceted research program spanning basic and clinical domains. His investigations encompass diverse aspects of PH, ranging from genetics and vascular biology to drug-induced complications and clinical outcomes. At the forefront of his research agenda are two pivotal areas: elucidating the role of Wnt signaling in maintaining and restoring pulmonary microvasculature and exploring genetic modifiers as predisposing factors for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

In addition to his academic pursuits, he is deeply committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within academic medicine. He champions this cause through leadership roles at Stanford University, such as chair of diversity and inclusion for PCCM and chair for the medical school’s Diversity and Inclusion Panel. Through mentorship, research collaborations and networking initiatives, he empowers minority trainees and early career investigators to thrive in their respective fields and contribute meaningfully to the scientific community globally.