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Victor J. Dzau, M.D.

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Victor J. Dzau, MD, is president of the US National Academy of Medicine and vice-chair of the US National Research Council. He is an internationally acclaimed leader and one of the most influential physician-scientists in the United States and globally. His own research laid the foundation for the development of angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, used globally to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. 

At the National Academies, Dr. Dzau has designed and led important initiatives such as the Commission on a Global Health Risk Framework for the Future; the Human Gene Editing Initiative; and Vital Directions for Health and Health Care. He chairs the Oversight Boards of International Commission for the Roadmap for Healthy Longevity. 

Currently, he chairs the NIH Cardiovascular Progenitor Cell Translational Consortium, the Scientific Boards of Qatar Genome Project, the Peter Munk Cardiac Center of the University of Toronto and the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences of the University of Glasgow. He is a member of the Biomedical Sciences International Advisory Council in Singapore, the Advisory Council of Imperial College Health Partners in the UK and the Global Preparedness Monitor Board. He chaired the board of directors of the Association of Academic Health Centers. 

Prior to becoming president of the National Academy of Medicine, Dr. Dzau served as chancellor and president & CEO of Duke University Medical Center. He was formerly chairman of Departments of Medicine at Stanford and Harvard Universities. He has received numerous awards including the Max Delbruck Medal from Humboldt University Charite and the Max Planck Institute, the Gustav Nylin Medal from the Swedish Royal College of Medicine, the Polzer Prize from the European Academy of Sciences & Arts, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and the Distinguished Scientist Award by the American Heart Association.