Inaugural Jack Sarver Prizes Awarded to St. Louis and Dallas Researchers for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Studies
Two scientists from Washington University and UT Southwestern received the first Jack Sarver Prizes for research addressing maternal mortality in Nigeria through aspirin prophylaxis and identifying genetic mechanisms linking liver disease to atherosclerosis.
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, will receive the inaugural Jack Sarver Prize in Clinical Science and Jack Sarver Prize in Basic Science, respectively, at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025 in New Orleans. These awards, established through a gift honoring Jack Sarver who died of heart disease in 1979, recognize research that aligns with the family's mission to end the heritage of heart disease across generations.
Dr. Mahmoud's award-winning research addresses one of the world's most pressing maternal health crises. Her study, Aspirin Prophylaxis for Preeclampsia Prevention in Nigeria: A Mixed Methods Study, tackles the alarming reality that more women die in Nigeria around childbirth than in any other country, with preeclampsia being a leading cause. Her work assessed aspirin use among at-risk pregnant women and identified critical barriers including poor dissemination of guidelines, limited provider and patient awareness, delayed prenatal care, and cost considerations. The research demonstrates that this evidence-based, low-cost intervention could significantly reduce maternal morbidity and mortality in Nigeria and other high-burden settings, representing a practical solution to a devastating global health problem.
Dr. Zhang's research takes a genetic approach to understanding cardiovascular risk factors. His study, Forward Genetic Screen Identifies HELZ2 as a Central Regulator of APOB mRNA Stability Linking Hepatic Steatosis and Atherosclerosis, investigates how genetic factors impact apolipoprotein B (APOB), a key protein involved in lipid transport through the bloodstream. Using mouse models, his research revealed how APOB affects the risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), where excessive fat accumulates in the liver leading to inflammation and damage, and atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in arterial walls. The study discovered a rare, dominant mutation implicating HELZ2 protein as a potential therapeutic target for both conditions, opening new avenues for treatment development.
Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association, emphasized the significance of both research projects, noting they touch on the very foundation of the award's establishment - preventing cardiovascular disease to improve lives for generations to come. 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 interested in future recognition can learn more about submission guidelines at https://professional.heart.org/en/professional-education/awards-and-lectureships/professional-membership-awards, with the next award cycle opening in spring 2026 and potential awards exceeding $35,000 to further scientific research careers.