American Society of Hypertension lauds Harrison’s research
David Harrison, M.D., director of the Division of Clinical Pharmacology, has received the 2012 Distinguished Scientist Award from the American Society of Hypertension.
David Harrison, M.D.
Harrison gave a plenary lecture, entitled “Inflammation, immunity and hypertension,” May 21 during the society’s annual meeting in New York. He described his contributions to understanding the pathogenesis of high blood pressure, with emphasis on recent studies showing how cells of the adaptive immune system play a crucial role.
“This was an extraordinary honor, and it reflects the accomplishments of many colleagues who have worked with me over the years,” said Harrison, who is the Betty and Jack Bailey Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology.
Harrison was recruited to Vanderbilt in January 2011 from Emory University, where he had served as director of Cardiology. For much of his career, he has helped define how reactive oxygen metabolites, as signaling molecules, affect vascular function and contribute to hypertension.
In recent years his laboratory has reported that T cells are critical for the development of many forms of experimental hypertension. He and his colleagues have been examining how these cells are activated and how they promote blood pressure elevation.
The Distinguished Scientist Award is named for one of five pioneers in hypertension research, depending on the recipient’s field of study.
This year’s award was named for Irvine Page, the American physician and researcher who discovered the neurotransmitter serotonin, introduced the mosaic theory of high blood pressure and crystallized the potent vasoconstrictor angiotensin.