Dr. Shaun Robert Coughlin is a preeminent cardiovascular biologist and recognized leader in cardiovascular therapeutics research. He currently serves as Global Head of Cardiovascular and Metabolism at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a position he assumed in November 2017 following a distinguished 31 year academic career at the University of California, San Francisco. His academic foundation includes undergraduate and graduate training at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, an MD from Harvard Medical School, internal medicine training at Massachusetts General Hospital, and specialized cardiology training at UCSF. Dr. Coughlin joined the UCSF faculty in 1986 and served as Director of the Cardiovascular Research Institute from 1997 to 2017 before transitioning to his current industry leadership role.
Dr. Coughlin's seminal research fundamentally transformed cardiovascular science through his landmark discovery of protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1), the thrombin receptor, which revealed how proteases function as signaling molecules to regulate cellular behavior. His laboratory's characterization of PAR1 and related receptors established the molecular mechanism by which thrombin controls platelet activation and clot formation, solving a critical puzzle in hemostasis and thrombosis research. This work elucidated how cells sense tissue injury and trigger responses that stop bleeding while promoting inflammation and repair processes. The clinical translation of these discoveries directly led to novel therapeutic approaches for preventing heart attacks and strokes, earning him the American Heart Association's Basic Science Award in 2003 and ultimately the Research Achievement Award in 2014.
Beyond his scientific contributions, Dr. Coughlin has earned recognition as one of the most influential cardiovascular researchers of his generation, evidenced by his election to the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. At Novartis, he directs discovery research focused on addressing critical unmet needs in atherosclerosis, heart failure, obesity-driven diseases, and atrial fibrillation, leveraging his deep mechanistic understanding to develop innovative treatments. His leadership bridges fundamental biological insights with therapeutic development, maintaining his commitment to understanding the molecular mechanisms governing cardiovascular disease. Dr. Coughlin's enduring legacy lies in his transformative contributions to cardiovascular science and his ongoing dedication to translating basic discoveries into medicines that prevent, treat, and potentially reverse devastating cardiovascular conditions.
