A Miller School physician-scientist has received one of the most prestigious awards presented by the American College of Cardiology. Nanette H. Bishopric, M.D., professor of medicine, molecular and cellular pharmacology and pediatrics, received the 2010 Distinguished Scientist Award (Basic Domain) at the convocation of the College's 59th Annual Scientific Session in Atlanta on Monday.

The honor is bestowed each year on a Fellow of the College who has made major contributions to the advancement of scientific knowledge in the field of cardiovascular diseases.

In his nomination letter, Dean Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., noted that, with heart failure reaching pandemic proportions in the United States, Dr. Bishopric's "important work on understanding the role of cardiac apoptosis is crucial to our understanding of the pathogenesis of heart failure." He cited her seminal contributions to "our understanding of the regulation of ischemia-activated death pathways in various forms of cardiac injury, and equally important observations regarding the regulation of cardiac hypertrophy."

"When you take into account the context and breadth of her basic science investigation activities, complemented by her clinical knowledge and activities, Dr. Bishopric is clearly a complete scientist," Dean Goldschmidt wrote.

Dr. Bishopric expressed gratitude for the honor.

"I'm very lucky to have a career that lets me make a difference in the lives of others by conducting basic science research that has the greatest potential to transform our understanding and treatment of cardiovascular disease," Dr. Bishopric said.

"Our studies have helped to explain the mysterious process of heart failure at the level of the cell, and have identified several completely novel potential approaches to treatment of this epidemic disease. To be honored for this work is truly a privilege."