Don S. Fredrickson Lipid Research Conference

About This Grant

The Don S. Fredrickson Lipid Research Conference (FLRC) brings together scientists and trainees investigating the impact of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism on the development and treatment of Cardiometabolic Disease. The FLRC is named after the late Don S. Fredricks who as the director of the National Heart Institute (now the NHLBI) from 1966 – 1974 and later the NIH, developed the clinical classification for dyslipidemias (Type I-V), described Tangier’s Disease, and made seminal discoveries in lipoprotein metabolism. Most importantly, he trained both basic and clinical scientists and practitioners who have had a tremendous impact on the field of lipoprotein metabolism. Since 2016 the FLRC has employed a rotating institutional host model and has been hosted by the University of Kentucky (’16, ‘17, ’21), Vanderbilt University (’18, ‘23), the University of Cincinnati (’19), Duke University and the University of North Carolina (’22). The FLRC will be hosted by the Medical College of Wisconsin in 2025 and return to UK in 2027. Keynote Lectures at the 2025 Fredrickson conference include Ira Tabas, Columbia University, and David Ginsburg, University of Michigan. The thematic scientific sessions include Genetic determinants of lipids and CVD; Lipoprotein structure and omics; Immune cell lineage/immunity and lipids in CVD; Microvascular, adipose and lipids; Novel perspectives in lipid research; and Lipids in atherothrombosis and hemostasis. The FLRC places a strong emphasis students, fellows, and early career faculty. In accordance with that mission, the agenda also includes additional scientific talks dedicated for trainees, a “Research Blitz” session (90-second presentations), and a judged poster session. By design, the agenda affords every trainee in attendance the opportunity to present their research on stage, network with leaders in the field, and broaden their scope and understanding of research in lipid metabolism and Cardiometabolic Diseases. Our format encourages informal interactions between scientists at all levels, providing an innovative approach to the exchange of ideas and synthesis that will move the field of lipid research forward. The conference will have high impact as the program spans basic science discovery to clinical significance. It is therefore expected that the meeting will provide new insights not only into basic aspects of lipid metabolism, but also how to treat, and ultimately cure, a wide variety of Cardiometabolic Disease states.