Brittany Weber, MD, PhD, FACC, this year’s Douglas P. Zipes Distinguished Young Scientist Award winner, will deliver her keynote today on “Cardio-Rheumatology: Cardiovascular Prevention in the Face of Systemic Inflammatory Disease.” Read a preview of what she will cover in her address, her journey in researching cardio-rheumatology, advice for young scientists and more.

What will you be speaking about today?

I will be giving an introduction and overview of the field of cardio-rheumatology, which is focused on patients with immune-mediated inflammatory disorders. I will also make parallels to the increasing awareness of systemic inflammation in a broader context of cardiovascular medicine and prevention. It is an exciting time as we are now testing in large-scale randomized control clinical trials whether targeting inflammation across various conditions in cardiovascular medicine will lead to a reduction in cardiovascular events. I will discuss the important role of cardiovascular imaging in diagnosis, risk stratification, longitudinal monitoring and the importance of multidisciplinary care in this field.

What takeaways do you want to give attendees on the care and management of cardiovascular disease in special populations?

I want to ensure attendees know that these special populations often require multidisciplinary care and the importance of communication across specialties; we can all learn from each other and outside of cardiology. These fields are rapidly advancing, just as we are. We have to be innovative and, with forward thinking, build care models that integrate across disciplines of medicine so we can ultimately all work toward our common goal of prevention.

What areas of research or upcoming trials are you most excited about?

In the broader context of this field, cardiology is now testing in large-scale clinical trials whether anti-inflammatories will reduce cardiovascular events across a host of cardiovascular diseases, from atherosclerosis to heart failure. Advances in imaging have changed our ability to diagnose, risk stratify and monitor various cardiovascular disease states. These advances in imaging, along with the rapid advancement of “omics” and advanced immunophenotyping, are incredibly exciting, and we push forward toward precision and innovation in clinical care. Keep your eye on these bold and innovative trials and the advances across science – and remember the goal at hand: prevention.

What initially interested you in cardio-rheumatology as a research focus?

My interest spiked at a young age. I am a first-generation college student from a small town in Oklahoma. I had the opportunity to do scientific research at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation after high school, and I joined a lab focused on understanding lupus and B-cell tolerance. I fell in love with science, and I still remember seeing my first patient with lupus at the VA. I learned what a physician-scientist was, and I started my journey to become one – pursuing a PhD in immunology and finding my clinical passion in cardiology.

What advice do you have for other young investigators as they are starting out?

My advice is very clear – follow your passion and never give up. Know that the road is not always linear but one of curves and bends, and that the journey is just as important as the end. Have fun and invest the time to find good mentors – the latter is plural for a reason. There will be many important mentors along one’s journey. And family first. It’s an incredible privilege to do what we do, and I hope every trainee can feel this passion, excitement and enthusiasm on their own personal journey.

Do you have any advice for young scientists on participating within the College?

Get involved! The ACC has been so important in my career, and I have sought out multiple opportunities to be involved, and it is through these committees and activities you create networks, mentors and lifelong friends. The ACC has opportunities for every trainee no matter their interest, from basic to clinical policy – you name it. Don’t be shy and invest early to be involved.

Keywords: Cardiology Magazine, ACC Publications, ACC25, ACC Annual Scientific Session