Distinguished Professor Peter Tontonoz to Receive 2025 Basic Research Prize from American Heart Association

Strategic Insights -

Distinguished professor Peter Tontonoz at UCLA will be recognized with the 2025 Basic Research Prize from the American Heart Association for his foundational discoveries in cholesterol, fatty acid, and phospholipid metabolism, transforming the understanding and treatment of heart disease and metabolic disorders. The award will be presented during the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2025, held in New Orleans on November 7-10, 2025. Tontonoz's groundbreaking research has helped uncover how the body maintains fat levels in balance, from individual cells to entire organ systems, leading to better treatments for heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dr. Peter Tontonoz will receive the 2025 Basic Research Prize from the American Heart Association for his contributions to understanding cholesterol, fatty acid, and phospholipid metabolism in the body.
  • Tontonoz's foundational discoveries in cholesterol and lipid metabolism have significantly impacted the understanding and treatment of heart disease and metabolic disorders.
  • His research has helped uncover the intricate ways fat-related processes influence both normal tissue function and disease pathology.
  • Dr. Tontonoz has made important contributions to the science, mentoring multiple scientists who now lead successful research groups, and serving on various National Institutes of Health study sections and editorial boards.
  • He has earned his medical degree and Ph.D. from Harvard Medical School and is a member of the National Academy of Science and the National Academy of Medicine.
  • Tontonoz has been cited in over 220 peer-reviewed articles and has published numerous scientific papers, including one that identified the protein PPAR-gamma as the master regulator of adipose tissue development.
  • His work on the nuclear receptor Liver X Receptor (LXR) demonstrated the intersection between immunology and metabolism, establishing the field of immunometabolism and paving the way for new treatments.
  • Dr. Tontonoz's identification of an E3 ligase that targets and degrades the LDL receptor opened new avenues for cholesterol-lowering therapies beyond statins, improving outcomes for millions of patients.
  • The American Heart Association will present the award during the Presidential Session on November 9, 2025, as part of the Scientific Sessions 2025.

Statistics:

  • Over 220 peer-reviewed articles have cited Dr. Tontonoz's work since 1990.
  • His research has included the identification of 12 key proteins regulating adipose tissue development, including PPAR-gamma and SREBP1c.
  • Dr. Tontonoz has earned numerous scientific papers, including one published as a graduate student, identifying PPAR-gamma.
  • He has served on over 10 National Institutes of Health study sections and editorial boards.
  • Dr. Tontonoz's foundational discoveries have improved our understanding of cardiovascular and metabolic disease, paving the way for new treatments.

Sources:

  • "DALLAS, Sept. 15 -- American Heart Association issued the following news release:" [1]
  • American Heart Association. (n.d.). Ucla Distinguished Professor CVD Researcher to Receive 2025 Basic Research Prize? Retrieved from https://newsroom.heart.org/news/ucla-distinguished-professor-cvd-researcher-to-receive-2025-basic-research-prize?preview=99da308ca5dd268d5a980b01c05fc923 [2]
  • American Heart Association. (n.d.). About the American Heart Association. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/about-us [3]