Photo of Sanjay Rajagopalan

Sanjay Rajagopalan recognized with American College of Cardiology top honor

To be presented with Distinguished Scientist Award – Translational Domain during ACC’s 70th Annual Scientific Session & Expo

Photo of Sanjay Rajagopalan
Sanjay Rajagopalan

Sanjay Rajagopalan has been awarded the 2021 Distinguished Scientist Award – Translational Domain by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) for his contributions to the cardiovascular profession. Rajagopalan will be recognized with other 2021 Distinguished Award-winners at the 70th Annual Scientific Session & Expo May 15–17 in Atlanta and presented virtually.

“Dr. Rajagopalan has made lasting contributions to the field of cardiovascular medicine through his dedication to improving cardiovascular health and enhancing patient care,” said ACC President Athena Poppas. “It is an honor to be able to recognize Dr. Rajagopalan with the Distinguished Scientist Award – Translational Domain and celebrate his tremendous achievements in the cardiovascular field.”

The Distinguished Scientist Award – Translational Domain is awarded to a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology who has made major scientific contributions to the advancement of scientific knowledge in the field of cardiovascular disease. The award is given to three recipients; one in each of the basic, clinical and translational domains.

Rajagopalan is director of the Case Cardiovascular Research Institute at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and chief of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Herman K. Hellerstein, MD, Chair in Cardiovascular Research at University Hospitals (UH) Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute.

Rajagopalan is among an elite group of physician scientists whose work has helped transform global perceptions and understanding of the impact of environmental risk factors on cardiovascular disease. Additionally, he has made seminal contributions toward the development of next-generation therapeutic modalities for cardiovascular disease and is a leading authority in advancing innovative approaches for the imaging of complex cardiovascular disorders.

Rajagopalan’s research has been continually funded by the National Institutes of Health. He is an elected member of the American Society of Clinical Investigation, American Association of Physicians, Association of University Cardiologists and the Association of Professors of Cardiology.

Rajagopalan has published over 300 original peer-reviewed research publications in journals such as JAMA, The New England Journal of Medicine, Circulation, The Journal of Clinical Investigation and Circulation Research, and led more than 300 invited editorials and reviews. He has also served as an editor for at least two textbooks and several monographs on vascular disease and atherosclerosis. 

Nineteen Distinguished Awards will be presented at ACC.21 this year, each recognizing an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the field of cardiovascular medicine. Recipients are nominated by their peers and then selected by the ACC Awards Committee.