Congratulations to Professor Steve Nicholls, Program Director of the Victorian Heart Hospital, MonashHeart and Intensive Care, for receiving the 2023 European Atherosclerosis Society Anitschkow Prize.
The Anitschkow Prize is the most prestigious distinction in atherosclerosis research, named after Nikolai Anitschkow who performed the first foundational study, feeding rabbits a cholesterol-rich diet and observing the formation of plaques in the aortic wall.
Atherosclerosis is thickening or hardening of the arteries caused by a build-up of plaque in the inner lining of an artery.
Professor Nicholls was recognised for his outstanding contributions to research in the field of atherosclerosis, cardiometabolic disease and preventive cardiology.
These include his research exploring the factors influencing the functionality of high-density lipoproteins (HDL cholesterol), understanding the factors influencing plaque progression and regression, as well as leadership of clinical trials of novel cardioprotective therapies.
“It really is an honour and a privilege to be recognised like this,” Professor Nicholls said.
“These accolades represent the incredible efforts of a huge village of people that I get to work with, as well as the communities who have participated in our trials over so many years to be able to produce these results.”
Professor Nicholls is also currently Director of the Monash Victorian Heart Institute and President of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand.
The Victorian Heart Hospital, operated by Monash Health, will open 23 February 2023. The Victorian Heart Hospital will also be home to the Monash Victorian Heart Institute, enabling co-location of research, education and patient care.
Research will be a vital component of the Victorian Heart Hospital and create new and expanded opportunities for medical research, accelerating the transition of discoveries into timely and meaningful outcomes.
Professor Nicholls will present the Anitschkow Lecture at EAS Congress in Mannheim, Germany on May 21.
Learn more about Research at the Victorian Heart Hospital.
Photo credit: Victorian Heart Hospital leads approach to cardiovascular health