Dr Dhalla has focused his research to advance knowledge in the area of cardiovascular pathophysiology and therapy of heart disease, and by using innovative approaches, he has identified that remodelling of subcellular organelles plays a critical role in the development of congestive heart failure due to myocardial infarction. His work also resulted in the concept that heart dysfunction in diabetes is due to an imbalance between fatty acid and glucose utilization. Moreover, his work demonstrated that stress-induced heart disease is due to the oxidation of catecholamines and that the oxidized catecholamines are the most sensitive index of the prognosis of heart failure. Research in the area of ischemic heart disease has established the role of oxyradicals and intracellular calcium overload in the genesis of ischemia-reperfusion injury. He has published 670 full-length research papers during his professional career.
Dr Dhalla is committed to translating laboratory observations into newer treatments for patient care. On the basis of his research, he has cofounded a public company which has now developed several agents for improving the outcome of ischemic heart disease. The first Centre of Excellence in Heart Research in Canada was set up by the Medical Research Council under his leadership in 1978. These activities flourished into the world-renowned Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, with more than 125 scientists, students and support staff. He has been the prime moving force in attracting first-rate investigators and developing extraordinary research facilities at the Institute.
Dr Dhalla has trained more than 145 scientists who are actively engaged in pursuing their research and academic careers all over the world. He has exceptional talents in inspiring young people to undertake challenges for combating heart disease. He has authored/edited 40 books in the field of cardiovascular science and, thus, has helped in the education of numerous students and specialists around the world. The lifetime efforts of Dr Dhalla in the area of cardiovascular research and education have been recognized in the form of 107 honours and awards from all over the world.
In his capacity as Secretary General (for 17 years) and President (for three years), Dr Dhalla promoted the International Society for Heart Research and helped to make it a unique forum for the exchange of scientific information in the world. In his current role as Executive Director of the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences for the past 10 years, he devotes considerable energies to promote cardiovascular education. He has organized several international conferences in different parts of the world during the past 30 years. He has willingly given his time and boundless energy to share his wisdom in many countries in every corner of the globe.
On March 31, 2006, Dr Naranjan S Dhalla stepped down as Director of the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences at the St Boniface General Hospital Research Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. We all know that Dr Dhalla will never ‘retire’ or even take it easy. Indeed, it is his intent now to devote considerable energy to expanding the activities in the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences, as well as continuing his own research and editing the journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry. His travel schedule is more extensive than ever in his effort to share his knowledge and encourage young people.
On October 12 to 15, 2006, his colleagues and friends will gather in Winnipeg to celebrate Dr Dhalla’s achievements in heart research and recognize his stimulating leadership in the field of experimental cardiology.