Srivastava Recieves Award for Outstanding Achievement in Pediatrics

Deepak Srivastava, MD, director of the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, has received the prestigious 2007 E. Mead Johnson Award from the Society for Pediatric Research. Bestowed annually since 1939 by the Society for Pediatric Research, the E. Mead Johnson Award recognizes outstanding clinical and research accomplishments in pediatrics. Srivastava is recognized for his work in discovering the intricate networks that regulate normal and abnormal cardiogenesis, along with his contributions in understanding the genetic causes of human cardiac malformations. "I'm proud to be a part of this long tradition of excellence in pediatric science," said Srivastava. "While I'm very honored to receive this award, I am also reminded of the quality of research represented by those who have preceded me." Srivastava's research focuses on understanding the causes of heart disease and on using knowledge of cardiac developmental pathways to devise novel therapeutics for human cardiac disorders. Specifically, he studies the molecular events regulating early and late developmental decisions that instruct progenitor cells to adopt a cardiac cell fate and subsequently fashion a functioning heart. Srivastava seeks ways to use these pathways to prevent congenital defects and treat acquired heart disease. He also seeks to identify the causes of human cardiovascular disease by applying modern genetic technologies for the study of complex traits. "This is a singular honor for Deepak and very well deserved," said Gladstone President Robert W. Mahley, MD, PhD. "He has made extraordinary contributions to our understanding of early heart development, its genetic regulation by transcriptional factors and microRNAs, and stem cell biology." The UCSF-affiliated J. David Gladstone Institutes is dedicated to the health and welfare of humankind through research into the causes and prevention of some of the world's most devastating diseases. Gladstone comprises the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, the Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology and the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease Related Links: Ace of Hearts: A Conversation with Developmental Biologist and Cardiologist Deepak Srivastava
Science Café, Feb. 16, 2007 Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease J. David Gladstone Institutes