Dr. Yibin Wang of Duke-NUS to Receive the 2023 Basic Research Prize

Embargoed until 7 a.m. CT / 8 a.m. ET Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023

DALLAS, Nov. 1, 2023 — The American Heart Association will present its 2023 Basic Research Prize to Yibin Wang, Ph.D., FAHA, of Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore and Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC. He will be recognized during the Presidential Session of the Association’s Scientific Sessions 2023 on Sunday, Nov. 12. The meeting, to be held in Philadelphia, Saturday, Nov. 11 through Monday, Nov. 13, is a premier global exchange of the latest scientific advancements, research and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science.

Dr. Wang’s research focuses on the fundamental molecular and genetic mechanisms of cardiovascular physiology and cardiometabolic diseases. Under Dr. Wang’s leadership, his laboratory has developed innovative approaches to unlock the key molecules and pathways in which cells in mammals respond to pathological stress. His lab is credited with discovering new regulatory paradigms in molecular, epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming during cardiac maturation and pathological remodeling. Dr. Wang’s work has directly contributed to many clinical studies and new trials for heart diseases.  During his career, his research has been funded by the American Heart Association, the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense, as well as the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health in Singapore.

“Dr. Yibin Wang was selected for this prize because of his commitment to learning more about the genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms behind cardiovascular disease,” said the Association’s 2023-2024 volunteer President Joseph C. Wu, M.D., Ph.D., FAHA. “Additionally, his research applies discoveries made about stress signaling networks to new methods treatment for heart disease and the management of heart failure. Congratulations, Dr. Wang!”

Dr. Wang is a professor and director of the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Signature Research Program of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders at Duke-NUS and a professor in medicine at Duke University School of Medicine. He is the scientific founder of a biotech start-up Ramino Bio and the principal investigator leading a 12-person research team that is developing new therapies based on what they have learned about cellular stress responses related to heart and metabolic diseases. He has written more than 270 peer-reviewed scientific articles, and two of his patents were licensed for evaluating and treating cardiometabolic disorders including heart failure, diabetes and obesity.

“I’m truly humbled by this award from the Association, an organization that I am very fortunate to call home since the very beginning of my academic career.” said Dr. Wang. “However, this recognition is not for me alone but for all the team members and our collaborators over the years, who have devoted their talents and hard work in order to uncover new knowledge that can one day lead to new therapies for people with heart disease. I am very grateful to each of them and will use this award as a constant reminder that heart disease is still the number one killer and a challenge we must overcome with more research and better knowledge.”

Dr. Wang studied biochemistry at Fudan University during his undergraduate education. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the State University of New York and a doctoral degree in cell biology and molecular genetics from Baylor College of Medicine. He completed a research fellowship in neurobiology at Scripps Research Institute and a second research fellowship in molecular cardiology at the University of California San Diego. Dr. Wang was previously recognized by the Association with the Established Investigator Award in 2005 and the Thomas Smith Memorial Lectureship in 2016. He has served on several Association leadership committees at the national level including as a member of the Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Council.

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The American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2023 is a premier global exchange of the latest scientific advancements, research and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science for health care professionals worldwide. The three-day meeting will feature more than 700 sessions focused on breakthrough cardiovascular basic, clinical and population science updates Saturday, Nov. 11 through Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. Thousands of leading physicians, scientists, cardiologists, advanced practice nurses and allied health care professionals from around the world will convene in Philadelphia to participate in basic, clinical and population science presentations, discussions and curricula that can shape the future of cardiovascular science and medicine, including prevention and quality improvement. During the three-day meeting, attendees receive exclusive access to more than 4,000 original research presentations and can earn Continuing Medical Education (CME), Continuing Education (CE) or Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credits for educational sessions. Engage in Scientific Sessions 2023 on social media via #AHA23.

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