"Genetics of Steatotic Liver Disease: Pathogenesis, Prognosis and Implications for Treatment"

Internal Medicine Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient

The Daniel W. Foster, M.D., Lecture

Speaker:

Helen H. Hobbs, M.D., M.Sc.
Professor & Chief of Clinical Genetics
Dallas Heart Ball Chair in Cardiology Research
Department of Internal Medicine
UT Southwestern Medical Center

About Helen Hobbs:

An internationally recognized physician-scientist whose work has changed our understanding of cholesterol, heart disease, and fatty liver disease, Dr. Hobbs studies how differences in our genes affect the way the body processes fats, and her discoveries have helped explain why some people develop high cholesterol or liver disease while others do not. One of her major achievements was establishing the Dallas Heart Study, a landmark, multiethnic, population-based cohort that enabled groundbreaking discoveries, most notably the identification of variations in the PCSK9 gene that naturally keep cholesterol low and protect against heart disease, and the discovery of genetic changes that contribute to fatty liver disease. In addition, her work led to the identification of PNPLA3 variants as one of the most important genetic risk factors for fatty liver disease. Through this work, she has identified new biological pathways and potential targets for treatment, shaping how doctors think about preventing and treating heart and liver conditions.

Over her career, Dr. Hobbs has been honored with many of the highest awards in medicine and science, reflecting the global impact of her research. She has received major prizes from organizations around the world, including top honors from the American Heart Association, the European Atherosclerosis Society, and the prestigious Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences. Universities such as Johns Hopkins, Mount Sinai, and Case Western Reserve have awarded her honorary degrees in recognition of her achievements. She has also been elected to elite scientific groups, including the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Society of Clinical Investigation. An Investigator in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Dr. Hobbs is frequently invited to give high‑profile lectures across the globe, underscoring her reputation as one of the leading voices in genetic and medical research.