Internationally renowned researchers who were influenced by the late Scott Grundy M.D., Ph.D., will celebrate his enduring impact on science, medicine, and academia during a symposium hosted by UT Southwestern’s Center for Human Nutrition. The Oct. 30 event is free and open to all campus members.

The Scott Grundy Symposium, named for the founding Director of the Center, takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and includes lunch. It was organized to honor Dr. Grundy and recognize his impactful scientific achievements, said Jay Horton, M.D., Director of the Center for Human Nutrition and Professor of Internal Medicine and Molecular Genetics. Dr. Grundy, who died Jan. 29, lived to the age of 91.

“Dr. Grundy was an outstanding physician-scientist recognized for the worldwide contributions that he made to nutrition, metabolism, cardiovascular risk assessment, and treatment,” Dr. Horton said.

Although none of the Symposium speakers was trained by Dr. Grundy, they are all well-known scientists and physicians whose work was shaped by him, Dr. Horton said.

Speakers include, in the order they will present:

• Sir Rory Collins, FRS, FMedSci, Emeritus Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology, Oxford University
• Sekar Kathiresan, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, Verve Therapeutics
• Elina Ikonen, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Anatomy, University of Helsinki
• Daniel J. Rader, M.D., Seymour Gray Professor of Molecular Medicine and Chief of the Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
• Henry Ginsberg, M.D., Herbert and Florence Irving Professor of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
• Sam Klein, M.D., Chief of the Division of Nutritional Science & Obesity Medicine and William H. Danforth Professor of Medicine and Nutritional Science, Washington University School of Medicine
• Stephen G. Young, M.D., Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Human Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles
• Robert Konrad, M.D., Senior Vice President, Eli Lilly and Company

Dr. Grundy’s research on the metabolic determinants of atherosclerosis has been instrumental in formulating approaches to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease.

In particular, his work influenced the development of new techniques to study pathways of cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism, clarified the function of monosaturated fat in diet, and demonstrated the effectiveness of statins to lower blood cholesterol levels.

For 32 years, Dr. Grundy oversaw the Center for Human Nutrition, where faculty conducted independent research on the use of nutrition for the treatment and prevention of disease, provided nutritional education for health professionals, and developed educational programs for the community. Beyond his scientific accomplishments, Dr. Grundy was a dedicated educator and leader.

“Dr. Grundy was not only a great physician-scientist, he was an outstanding citizen for UT Southwestern who supported young faculty and had a great passion for developing the next generation of scientists,” Dr. Horton said.