American Heart Association Honors Cardiovascular Genetics Innovator Pradeep Natarajan with 2026 Population Research Prize
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The American Heart Association will award its 2026 Population Research Prize to Pradeep Natarajan, M.D., M.M.Sc., FAHA, a cardiovascular geneticist whose research has reshaped the understanding and prevention of heart disease. The award will be presented during the Presidential Session on Sunday, Nov. 8, at Scientific Sessions 2026, the association's premier global meeting scheduled for Nov. 6-9 in Chicago. The announcement, initially distributed via NEWMEDIAWIRE, recognizes a scientist whose work bridges genomic discovery and clinical application.
Dr. Natarajan is internationally recognized for leveraging human genetics and data from large, diverse populations to uncover 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 earlier in life. These discoveries have also accelerated the development of novel therapeutic targets for cardiovascular disease.
"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 contributions include advancing the interpretation of whole-genome sequencing for cardiovascular disease, identifying novel genetic pathways involved in lipid metabolism and coronary artery disease, and developing polygenic risk prediction tools designed to improve prevention. His work integrates genomics, multi-omics, electronic health records and large population biobanks. He has led numerous NIH-funded investigations and collaborated on international studies involving millions of participants. 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. A longtime volunteer leader with the Heart Association since 2011, Dr. Natarajan has chaired its Data Science and Precision Medicine Committee since 2024 and has served on the Scientific Sessions Planning Committee since 2021.
In August 2026, Dr. Natarajan joined Amgen as vice president of global research, head of human genetics and head of the Cardiometabolic Therapeutic Area. He also serves as a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a distinguished physician at Massachusetts General Hospital. "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."
The recognition matters for Texas and the broader biomedical economy because it highlights how large-scale genetic research can lead to new therapies and prevention strategies that reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of death. As companies like Amgen invest in human genetics and precision medicine, the resulting innovations may spur economic activity in life sciences hubs, including those in Texas, and improve health outcomes for diverse populations. Dr. Natarajan's mentorship of early-career investigators also helps ensure a pipeline of scientific talent. Additional multimedia is available on the release link. For more information about the American Heart Association, visit heart.org or heart.org and stroke.org.