2024 Distinguished Scientist Jiang He, MD, PhD, MSc, FAHA

Jiang He, MD, PhD, MSc, FAHA
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, Texas

Dr. He is a nationally and internationally renowned scientist in epidemiological, clinical, and translational research in cardiometabolic diseases. Dr. He has served as principal investigator and co-investigator for more than 50 major NIH research awards and has authored over 750 scientific articles published in top-tier biomedical journals.

Dr. He has led landmark studies that have documented: (1) cardiovascular disease and cancer as the leading causes of death, with hypertension and cigarette smoking as the primary preventable risk factors for premature death in China; (2) the rapid acceleration of the global burden of obesity and diabetes, accompanied by large global disparities in hypertension; (3) the increased risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality associated with high sodium intake in individuals with obesity or chronic kidney disease; (4) the safety of early antihypertensive treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke; and (5) the effectiveness of a community health worker-led intervention in lowering blood pressure, improving hypertension control, and significantly reducing cardiovascular events, all-cause dementia, and total mortality. These study findings contribute to cardiometabolic disease prevention in resource-constrained populations globally.

Dr. He is a dedicated educator who has mentored over 100 master's students and more than 50 doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows throughout his career. Additionally, he has mentored over 20 junior faculty investigators and many of whom have developed successful research careers and become leaders in their fields.

Dr. He has received numerous awards from local, national, and international academic institutions and professional societies, including the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Johns Hopkins University, the Research Hall of Fame induction from Tulane University, the Detlev Ganten Excellence Award in Hypertension and Global Health Implementation from the World Hypertension League, and the Abraham Lilienfeld Award from the American College of Epidemiology. In 2023, Dr. He was elected to the National Academy of Medicine 'for transforming cardiovascular disease prevention efforts worldwide.'