Inaugural Jack Sarver Prizes Awarded to Researchers Tackling Maternal Health and Cardiovascular Disease

Zainab Mahmoud, M.D., M.Sc., an assistant professor of medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and Zhao Zhang, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, will receive the inaugural Jack Sarver Prize in Clinical Science and Jack Sarver Prize in Basic Science, respectively. The awards will be presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2025, held November 7-10 in New Orleans, during dinner events of the Council on Clinical Cardiology and the Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences on November 8.

The Jack Sarver Prize in Clinical Science and the Jack Sarver Prize in Basic Science 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 heart disease has motivated their mission to end what they describe as the heritage of heart disease.

Dr. Mahmoud's research focuses on a critical global health challenge documented in her abstract Aspirin Prophylaxis for Preeclampsia Prevention in Nigeria: A Mixed Methods Study. Her work addresses the alarming reality that more women die in Nigeria around childbirth than in any other country worldwide, with preeclampsia being a leading cause of these deaths. The study assessed aspirin use among at-risk pregnant women and identified key barriers to effective treatment implementation. Mahmoud's findings indicate that addressing obstacles including poor guideline dissemination, limited provider and patient awareness, delayed prenatal care, and cost could make this evidence-based, low-cost intervention significantly reduce maternal morbidity and mortality in Nigeria and other high-burden settings.

Dr. Zhang's research, detailed in his abstract Forward Genetic Screen Identifies HELZ2 as a Central Regulator of APOB mRNA Stability Linking Hepatic Steatosis and Atherosclerosis, explores the genetic mechanisms underlying cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. His investigation examined how genetic factors influence apolipoprotein B (APOB), a crucial protein involved in lipid transport through the bloodstream. The research specifically considered APOB's role in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver that can lead to inflammation and liver damage, and atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in arterial walls. Using mouse models, Zhang's study discovered a rare, dominant mutation implicating HELZ2 protein as a potential therapeutic target for both MASLD and atherosclerosis.

Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association, emphasized the significance of both researchers' work, noting that their research touches on the very foundation on which this award was established - preventing cardiovascular disease to improve the lives of people for generations to come. The recognition underscores the American Heart Association's mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Additional information about future award opportunities can be found at https://professional.heart.org.

The implications of these research breakthroughs extend across multiple healthcare domains. Mahmoud's work offers practical, scalable solutions to one of the most pressing maternal health crises globally, potentially saving thousands of lives through improved implementation of existing preventive measures. Zhang's discovery opens new therapeutic avenues for addressing the interconnected challenges of liver disease and cardiovascular conditions, which affect millions worldwide. Both studies exemplify the transformative potential of targeted scientific investigation in addressing complex health challenges that span generations and geographic boundaries.