The American Heart Association will recognize Pradeep Natarajan, M.D., M.M.Sc., FAHA, with its 2026 Population Research Prize during Scientific Sessions 2026, to be held Nov. 6-9 in Chicago. The award, presented during the Presidential Session on Sunday, Nov. 8, honors a leading cardiovascular geneticist whose work using human genetics and large population studies has transformed the understanding and prevention of cardiovascular disease. The recognition matters because it highlights how genomics and big data are moving from research labs into clinical practice, potentially reshaping how cardiovascular risk is identified and managed earlier in life.
Dr. Natarajan is internationally recognized for uncovering genetic mechanisms in lipid disorders, coronary artery disease, and clonal hematopoiesis. His research has advanced polygenic risk scores and precision medicine approaches that may help identify individuals with elevated cardiovascular risk sooner. He has also accelerated the development of novel therapeutic targets. As vice president of global research, head of human genetics, and head of the Cardiometabolic Therapeutic Area at Amgen since August 2026, and as a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a distinguished physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, he bridges academia and industry.
"Congratulations to Dr. Pradeep Natarajan for his groundbreaking work that has redefined how human genetics and large population studies can be used to prevent cardiovascular disease," said Manesh R. Patel, M.D., FAHA, the American Heart Association's 2026-2027 volunteer president. "His innovative research has helped bridge genomic discovery with clinical application, advancing precision medicine while improving our understanding of cardiovascular risk across diverse populations."
Dr. Natarajan's most influential contributions include advancing whole-genome sequencing interpretation for cardiovascular disease, identifying novel genetic pathways in lipid metabolism and coronary artery disease, and developing polygenic risk prediction tools. His research integrates genomics, multi-omics, electronic health records, and large population biobanks. He has led numerous NIH-funded investigations and large international collaborations involving millions of participants, helping translate genetic discoveries into clinical care. He also served as vice chair of writing groups for three scientific statements addressing polygenic risk scores for cardiovascular disease, direct-to-consumer genetic testing for cardiovascular disease, and the cardiovascular implications of clonal hematopoiesis. He was also a member of the writing committee for the 2026 Joint Clinical Practice Guideline on the Management of Dyslipidemia.
"I am honored to receive this recognition from the American Heart Association, an organization that shares my mission to improve health outcomes for those impacted by cardiovascular disease," said Dr. Natarajan. "I have dedicated my career to discovering and understanding the drivers of cardiovascular disease using human genetics, innovative methods and interdisciplinary collaboration towards optimal cardiovascular prevention and health."
Beyond his research, Dr. Natarajan has mentored dozens of early-career investigators and directed educational programs in cardiovascular genetics and precision medicine. He has authored or co-authored more than 330 peer-reviewed publications and served as principal investigator on major NIH-funded studies, including an $11.2 million NIH Common Fund project on somatic mosaicism. His honors include election to the American Society for Clinical Investigation and the Association of American Physicians, and receiving the Heart Association's Joseph A. Vita Award and the Genomic and Precision Medicine Mid-Career Award. Additional multimedia is available on the release link. For more information, visit heart.org or stroke.org.
