# Patient Centered Approaches to Preventing ASCVD Events

> **NIH NIH K24** · BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · 2020 · $120,470

## Abstract

7. Project Summary/Abstract As a cardiologist cross-trained in epidemiology, Dr. Mora has devoted her
career to patient-oriented cardiovascular prevention research, focusing on modifiable risk factors, particularly
lipids. Her independent contributions to the field of prevention resulted from a succession of in-depth studies
examining the clinical utility of alternative lipid testing for cardiovascular risk prediction and management. She
has served as a primary research mentor for more than twenty pre- and post-doctoral trainees in patient-
oriented research projects. This has been highlighted in recent years by the achievements of her mentees in
presenting their work nationally and internationally, with recognition by the American Heart Association Young
Investigator Award and Best of Science abstract sessions. At the national level, Dr. Mora has also been active
in promoting cardiovascular careers for women postdoctoral fellows. The candidate's experienced Mentoring
Committee, ongoing patient-oriented research, exceptional institutional resources, and cost-effective
collaborations provide a nurturing environment for the training and career development of junior investigators in
patient-oriented cardiovascular disease research. The new research aims proposed in this award will evaluate
lipid-related risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) among two populations of patients: those
who are treated with statins and those who suffer from premature myocardial infarction. This has important
clinical implications as new therapeutic strategies targeting lipids are rapidly emerging and already in clinical
use. Currently, statin therapy is the cornerstone of dyslipidemia management and cardiovascular prevention
and treatment. However, the majority of events (70%) among statin-treated individuals remain unprevented
and common (1 in 7 statin-treated individuals). To this date, the mechanisms underlying this “residual risk” are
unclear. While it is commonly believed that the risk factors responsible for ASCVD events among statin-
treated individuals are the same as those among statin-naïve individuals, new data suggest there may be
differences. Furthermore, while overall ASCVD mortality has declined in the US in the past decade, there has
been no decrease or even an increase in mortality in younger adults recently, in particular for women. The
impact of the study is to improve clinical outcomes by identifying lipid-related determinants of vascular risk and
to grow and strengthen Dr. Mora's patient-oriented research program into a formal individualized program of
mentoring with a focus on lipid risk factors. In sum, the proposed mentoring and research activities of this K24
project will provide numerous excellent training opportunities for junior investigators interested in patient-
oriented cardiovascular research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9844967
- **Project number:** 5K24HL136852-03
- **Recipient organization:** BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** SAMIA MORA
- **Activity code:** K24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $120,470
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-01-01 → 2022-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9844967

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9844967, Patient Centered Approaches to Preventing ASCVD Events (5K24HL136852-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9844967. Licensed CC0.

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