Peter Liu, MD FRCPC FACC

Dr. Peter Liu is the Scientific Director of the Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. He is also the Heart & Stroke/Polo Chair Professor of Medicine and Physiology at the Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, and till recently, the Director of the Heart & Stroke Richard/Lewar Centre of Excellence for Cardiovascular Research at the University of Toronto.

He completed his MD degree at the University of Toronto, and did his postgraduate training at Harvard University. Dr. Liu has focused his research on the causes of heart failure from bench to bedside, and the condition afflicts one in five Canadians. His team has identified the role of inflammation in changing heart structure and function, and identified potential new biomarkers through system biology approaches and novel treatment targets. His laboratory has also identified how viruses and bacteria can accelerate heart failure and coronary artery disease, and is developing novel vaccines to prevent these complications.

He has published over 250 peer reviewed articles in high impact journals, including Nature, Nature Medicine, and the New England Journal of Medicine. He has received numerous awards in recognition of his accomplishments, including the Rick Gallop Research Award from the Heart & Stroke Foundation (2003), the Research Achievement Award from the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (2003), the Extramural Award of Merit from the American College of Cardiology (2005), Postgraduate Mentorship Award from the University of Toronto (2006), and Award of Merit from the Federation of Chinese Canadian Professionals (2006). He has been the scientific program chair of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, Heart Failure Society of America and International Society of Heart Research Scientific Sessions. He is the President-Elect of the International Society of Cardiomyopathy and Heart Failure of the World Heart Federation. He co-chaired a series of Canadian Cardiovascular Society Consensus Guideline Recommendations for heart failure care. He also chaired several CIHR and NIH scientific review panels. He is also the co-chair the 6th International Initiative on Global Cardiovascular Proteomics for HUPO (Human Proteome Organization), and will be co-hosting the 2009 International HUPO Meeting in Canada.

At the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), he coordinates research in heart, lung, blood and critical care and establishes strategic directions for the Canadian research community, and liaises with national and international partners. He is also the champion of the CIHR’s Clinical Research Initiative, promoting excellence and building capacity to maximize the opportunity in translating fundamental discoveries to the bedside, and fostering excellence in evidence based health care delivery to Canadians.

Ronnie Campbell Memorial Lecture Heart Failure Lost and Found - Discoveries over 25 Years

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Looking Forward: Are We Ready for Cardiovascular Vaccines?

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