Baylor College of Medicine
10/30/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/30/2025 13:46
BCM cardiologist named a 2025 Distinguished Scientist…
Graciela Gutierrez
713-798-4710
Houston, TX - Oct 30, 2025Share this article
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Dr. Christie M. Ballantyne, Director of the Center for Cardiometabolic Disease Prevention at Baylor College of Medicine, has been named a 2025 Distinguished Scientist by the American Heart Association (AHA). The Distinguished Scientist designation recognizes AHA professional members whose sustained, original scientific contributions have materially advanced cardiovascular and stroke research.
"I'm deeply honored to receive this recognition from the American Heart Association," said Ballantyne, who is also section chief of cardiology and cardiovascular research at Baylor. "This award reflects decades of collaborative work in lipids, atherosclerosis, genetics, biomarkers and prevention-work carried out by many trainees, colleagues and patients who have been part of every study and discovery."
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Dr. Christie M. Ballantyne named a 2025 Distinguished Scientist by the American Heart Association
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Ballantyne is internationally recognized for his research on lipids, inflammation and atherosclerosis. He directs multiple clinical and research programs focused on cardiometabolic disease prevention and has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health since 1988. With over 1,000 publications in atherosclerosis, lipids, genetics and inflammation, he also serves on the editorial boards for Circulation and The Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC).
Ballantyne's many accomplishments have included being elected as Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Society of Clinical Investigation, and the Association of American Physicians. In 2012 he received the American College of Cardiology Distinguished Scientist Award (Basic Domain).
In 2014 and 2015, Thomson Reuters recognized Ballantyne as one of "The World's Most Influential Scientific Minds." Clarivate Analytics, Web of Science, named him as a "Highly Cited Researcher" 2017-2025 in the top 1% of researchers most cited. In 2019, Ballantyne was awarded the Baylor College of Medicine Michael E. DeBakey, MD, Excellence in Research Award. His research in biomarkers has led to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of two biomarkers for cardiovascular risk prediction, and he has played a prominent role in the development and FDA approval of new therapies for treatment of lipids and atherosclerosis.
"Christie's work has had a direct, measurable impact on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease worldwide," said Dr. Joseph G. Rogers, Director of the Texas Heart Institute at Baylor. "This Distinguished Scientist honor is a fitting recognition of the career of a physician investigator dedicated to rigorous science, mentorship and translating discoveries into better patient care."
Ballantyne will be recognized for this honor at the AHA's Scientific Sessions held Nov. 7-10, 2025, in New Orleans. The event is a premier global exchange of the latest scientific advancements, research and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science.
The AHA presents the Distinguished Scientist awards annually to members who have made extraordinary contributions to cardiovascular and stroke science and research. Recipients are typically recognized at the AHA Scientific Sessions, where the organization highlights leading advances in cardiovascular science and clinical care.
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