FAQ: Dr. Emelia Benjamin Receives 2025 Eugene Braunwald Academic Mentorship Award

What is the Eugene Braunwald Academic Mentorship Award and who is receiving it in 2025?

The Eugene Braunwald Academic Mentorship Award honors individuals with a sustained record of excellence in teaching and mentoring the next generation of faculty researchers, educators and healthcare professionals. Dr. Emelia J. Benjamin, professor of medicine at Boston University, will receive the 2025 award.

When and where will Dr. Benjamin receive this award?

Dr. Benjamin will be recognized with the award during the Presidential Session on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2025, which will be held November 7-10, 2025, in New Orleans.

Why is Dr. Benjamin being recognized with this mentorship award?

Dr. Benjamin is being recognized for her lasting impact on cardiovascular care and research through extensive mentoring of residents and fellows, developing faculty development programs for early- and mid-career clinicians from diverse backgrounds, and directing multi-institutional research fellowships.

What are Dr. Benjamin’s academic positions and research focus areas?

Dr. Benjamin is the Jay and Louise Coffman Professor in Vascular Medicine at BU Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine and professor of epidemiology at BU School of Public Health. Her NIH-funded research has focused on atrial fibrillation, mobile health, inflammation and chronic pain.

How has Dr. Benjamin supported early-career scientists through the American Heart Association?

Dr. Benjamin has served as former chair of the Council on Functional Genomics and Translational Biology to develop a strong Early Career Committee, participated on many Early Career Panels, and mentored individual members as a strong advocate for early-career scientists.

What is the significance of Dr. Benjamin’s trainees receiving NIH Career Development Awards?

Many of Dr. Benjamin’s trainees received NIH Career Development Awards, which reflects the strength of their mentorship and training plans and demonstrates how her guidance helped launch numerous successful careers in cardiovascular research.

What other major honors has Dr. Benjamin received from the American Heart Association?

Dr. Benjamin has received several of the Heart Association’s highest awards including the Distinguished Scientist Award (2022), Gold Heart Award (2016), Population Research Prize (2016), Paul Dudley White Award (2015), and multiple mentoring and achievement awards recognizing her contributions to cardiovascular science.

What specific mentoring programs has Dr. Benjamin developed and led?

Dr. Benjamin has developed and led ongoing faculty development programs supporting early- and mid-career clinicians from diverse backgrounds, and directed multi-institutional research fellowships including an international atrial fibrillation genetics fellowship and the NIH K12 program ‘Boston University Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health’.

How long has Dr. Benjamin been continuously involved in NIH-funded research?

Dr. Benjamin has served as principal investigator or co-investigator for NIH-funded trials continuously since 1998, demonstrating her long-standing commitment to cardiovascular research.