Roger J. Hajjar

Roger J. Hajjar is a prominent American cardiologist and translational scientist renowned for his pioneering work in molecular cardiology and gene therapy for heart failure. His research has significantly advanced the understanding of calcium handling in cardiomyocytes and the development of novel therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular disease. Hajjar directs a major research program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, where he holds a distinguished professorship. His work bridges fundamental molecular biology and clinical cardiology, aiming to develop next-generation treatments for patients with intractable heart conditions.

Early life and education

Hajjar completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Chicago, where he developed a foundational interest in the biological sciences. He then earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, a period that solidified his commitment to cardiovascular research. Following medical school, he pursued rigorous clinical training, completing an internship and residency in internal medicine, which provided essential bedside experience. His formal scientific training was further honed through a fellowship in cardiology and subsequent dedicated research fellowships focused on molecular physiology, preparing him for a career at the intersection of patient care and laboratory investigation.

Career and research

Hajjar's career has been primarily centered at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where he serves as the Director of the Cardiovascular Research Center and a Professor in the Department of Medicine. His laboratory's seminal research has focused on the molecular mechanisms underlying impaired calcium cycling in failing human hearts, identifying key proteins like SERCA2a as critical therapeutic targets. This work led to the groundbreaking development of a gene therapy approach using an adeno-associated virus vector to deliver the SERCA2a gene, which progressed to clinical trials including the CUPID trial. His broader research portfolio also investigates novel targets such as S100A1 and adenylyl cyclase type 6, and he has been instrumental in establishing the NIH-funded Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network. Hajjar has held significant leadership roles, including serving as the President of the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy.

Awards and honors

Throughout his career, Hajjar has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing his scientific contributions. He is a recipient of the Distinguished Scientist Award from the American Heart Association, one of the organization's highest honors. His sustained, innovative research has been supported by a MERIT Award from the National Institutes of Health. He has been elected as a member of the Association of American Physicians, a society honoring physician-scientists for their impactful research. Furthermore, his work has been acknowledged by the American Society for Clinical Investigation with his election to membership, and he has received the Research Achievement Award from the International Society for Heart Research.

Selected publications

Hajjar is the author of hundreds of peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals. Key publications include foundational studies on gene transfer of SERCA2a in heart failure, published in Circulation Research and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. His work on the role of S100A1 in cardiac contractility has appeared in Nature Medicine. He has also authored comprehensive reviews on cardiac gene therapy in publications like the New England Journal of Medicine and The Lancet. His research documenting the results of the CUPID gene therapy clinical trial was published in Circulation, the flagship journal of the American Heart Association.

Personal life

Details regarding Hajjar's personal life are kept private, consistent with his focus on his professional scientific and clinical endeavors. He maintains an active role in mentoring the next generation of physician-scientists within the Mount Sinai Health System. His commitment extends to various scientific advisory boards and review panels for organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association, where he helps shape the future of cardiovascular research.

Category:American cardiologists Category:American molecular biologists Category:Harvard Medical School alumni Category:Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai faculty