Roger J. Hajjar

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Dr. Roger J. Hajjar is a pioneering force in cardiovascular medicine, renowned for his groundbreaking work in gene therapy, molecular cardiology, and heart failure. His major contributions include the development of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene delivery to treat genetic cardiomyopathies, notably demonstrating that restoring SERCA2a expression can reverse contractile dysfunction in failing hearts. With over 30,000 citations, his research has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of cardiac calcium cycling and its therapeutic potential. Dr. Hajjar led the landmark CUPID clinical trials, the first-in-human studies of gene therapy for advanced heart failure, and his team identified key targets like phospholamban and GATA4. A recipient of the Distinguished Scientist Award from the American Heart Association, he has authored over 400 peer-reviewed papers and holds multiple patents for cardiac gene transfer technologies. His work bridges bench-to-bedside translation, offering new hope for millions with heart disease.