Inaugural Jack Sarver Prize Recognizes Cardiovascular Research Addressing Maternal Health and Genetic Disease Mechanisms

The inaugural Jack Sarver Prize in Clinical Science and Jack Sarver Prize in Basic Science will be awarded to Zainab Mahmoud, M.D., M.Sc., of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Zhao Zhang, Ph.D., of UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas during the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025. These awards recognize groundbreaking research that addresses critical cardiovascular health challenges through different scientific approaches, with both studies offering potential pathways to reduce disease burden and improve patient outcomes globally.

Dr. Mahmoud's research focuses on aspirin prophylaxis for preeclampsia prevention in Nigeria, where maternal mortality rates are among the highest worldwide. Her mixed methods study identified that preeclampsia represents a leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in Nigeria and examined barriers to implementing evidence-based aspirin treatment. The research revealed that poor dissemination of clinical guidelines, limited awareness among both healthcare providers and patients, delayed prenatal care initiation, and cost concerns significantly hinder adoption of this potentially life-saving intervention. By addressing these obstacles, Mahmoud's work demonstrates how this low-cost, evidence-based approach could substantially reduce maternal morbidity and mortality not only in Nigeria but also in other high-burden settings facing similar healthcare challenges.

Dr. Zhang's basic science research employed forward genetic screening to identify HELZ2 as a central regulator of APOB mRNA stability, establishing a molecular link between hepatic steatosis and atherosclerosis. His investigation revealed how genetic factors influence apolipoprotein B (APOB), a crucial protein involved in lipid transport through the bloodstream. Using mouse models, Zhang discovered that APOB dysregulation contributes to both metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver leading to inflammation and damage, and atherosclerosis, the progressive buildup of arterial plaque. The identification of a rare dominant mutation involving the HELZ2 protein provides new insights into potential therapeutic targets for addressing these interconnected cardiovascular and metabolic conditions.

The Jack Sarver Prize awards were established through a gift to the American Heart Association honoring Jack Sarver, who died of heart disease in 1979 at age 58. The Sarver family's multi-generational struggle with cardiovascular disease has motivated their commitment to ending what they describe as the heritage of heart disease. Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association, emphasized that both researchers' work aligns with the award's foundational purpose of preventing cardiovascular disease to improve lives across generations. The awards will be presented during dinner events of the Council on Clinical Cardiology and the Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences on November 8, 2025. Established investigators may learn more about future award opportunities by visiting https://professional.heart.org/en/partners/membership-awards.