Daniel J. Rader

Leading translational scientist who contributed to understanding of lipoprotein metabolism, especially in the field of reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). His work is distinguished by its clear and direct impact on the development of new therapeutic strategies to prevent coronary heart disease (CHD). He discovered endothelial lipase and elucidated its role in metabolism of high density lipoproteins (HDL). He developed novel methods to trace macrophage-specific RCT in mice and assess HDL function in humans, which are now in widespread use. His in vivo studies of HDL metabolism in humans with deficiency of cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) propelled the development of small molecule CETP inhibitors for CHD prevention. He conceived of and championed the development of the first microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) inhibitor for treatment of severe hypercholesterolemia, which is now on the market. He provided important new insights into the mechanisms by which common sequence variations discovered in genome-wide association studies alter plasma lipoprotein levels.