Dr. Emelia Benjamin receives mentorship honor at the 2025 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions
Dr. Emelia J. Benjamin, a distinguished professor of medicine and epidemiology at Boston University, will be honored with the 2025 Eugene Braunwald Academic Mentorship Award at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in New Orleans this November.
copyright Boston Medical Center
Named after legendary cardiologist Eugene Braunwald, the award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to mentoring the next generation of cardiovascular researchers, educators, and clinicians. Dr. Benjamin will receive the award during the Presidential Session on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025.
Throughout her career, Dr. Benjamin has been a tireless advocate for early-career scientists and a champion for diversity in academic medicine. She has formally mentored more than 60 faculty members and trainees, many of whom have gone on to secure independent research funding and leadership roles in cardiovascular science. Her mentorship has helped launch careers through NIH Career Development Awards and multi-institutional fellowships, including an international atrial fibrillation genetics fellowship and the NIH K12 program focused on women’s health.
Dr. Benjamin’s research, continuously funded by the NIH since 1998, has spanned atrial fibrillation, mobile health, inflammation, and chronic pain. She has authored over 800 peer-reviewed publications and played a key role in the Framingham Heart Study, contributing to landmark discoveries in cardiovascular risk factors.
Her accolades include the Heart Association’s Distinguished Scientist Award, Gold Heart Award, and multiple mentoring honors. She was also recognized with the Louis B. Russell Jr. Memorial Award for her work advancing equity in cardiovascular medicine and received an honorary doctorate from Aalborg University in Denmark in 2025.
“Mentoring has been one of the most meaningful parts of my career,” said Dr. Benjamin. “There is nothing more fulfilling than seeing my mentees thrive. I owe the successes of my career to my mentees.”
Continue reading about Dr. Benjamin’s award here.