UCLA’s Dr. peter Tontonoz to Receive American Heart Association’s Basic Research Prize
Dr. Peter Tontonoz,Frances and Albert Piansky Endowed Chair and distinguished professor at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine,will be honored with the American Heart Association’s prestigious Basic Research Prize at the Scientific Sessions 2025 in New Orleans (November 7-10,2025). A highly respected figure in the scientific community – recognized as a former Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator and member of both the National Academy of Science and the National Academy of Medicine – Dr. Tontonoz is being recognized for his transformative contributions to understanding how the body manages cholesterol, fatty acids, and phospholipids.
Dr. Tontonoz’s groundbreaking research has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of heart disease and metabolic disorders. His work has revealed novel mechanisms of cholesterol regulation, including the identification of a protein crucial for removing “bad” (LDL) cholesterol from the bloodstream, paving the way for potential treatments that go beyond current statin therapies. He also pioneered the field of immunometabolism by demonstrating the intricate link between metabolism and the immune system. Further discoveries include enzymes impacting fat processing in the intestine and liver, and, most recently, the protein aster, wich plays a vital role in cholesterol transport within cells and dietary fat absorption.
“Lipids such as cholesterol are critical determinants of cardiovascular disease,but there is still much to learn about how they affect the body,” explains Dr. Tontonoz. “The mission of my work is to illuminate the intricate ways fat-related processes influence both normal tissue function and disease pathology in hopes of finding new ways to prevent or treat cardiovascular conditions.”
Beyond his significant laboratory achievements, Dr. Tontonoz is a dedicated mentor, having guided numerous scientists who now lead their own successful research groups. He also actively contributes to the broader scientific community through his service on National Institutes of Health (NIH) study sections and editorial boards for leading journals like Journal of Clinical Investigation, Proceedings of the national Academy of Sciences, and Genes & Growth.His research promises more precise and effective treatments, ultimately improving the lives of millions affected by heart disease, diabetes, and related conditions.
