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Expanding Opportunities for Women to Lead Cardiovascular Science
October 28, 2026
Who leads cardiovascular research matters. Research leaders help shape which scientific questions are pursued, how studies are designed and which patient needs are included. Yet women remain underrepresented in many of the positions that influence these decisions.
Alnylam is working with Women As One, an organization dedicated to advancing opportunities for women in cardiology. Together, we support mentorship, research and leadership development aimed at building a more equitable workforce and helping improve patient care within the field of cardiology.
Alnylam CEO Dr. Yvonne Greenstreet and cardiologist and ATTR-CM expert Dr. Marianna Fontana discuss advancing women leaders in cardiologyA broader range of perspectives helps shape the scientific questions asked, the research pursued and, ultimately, how patients are cared for. When diverse voices are represented in cardiovascular research, we are better positioned to address the unmet needs of the patients we serve.” – Yvonne Greenstreet, M.D., M.B.A., Chief Executive Officer, Alnylam
Mentorship That Opens Doors to Research
Through Alnylam's sponsorship of the Women As One Mentorship Award, emerging women leaders in cardiology collaborate with established investigators on research important to patient care.
The 2026 recipients include Carolyn Lam, M.D., of National Heart Centre Singapore and Sarah Abou Al Alawi, M.D., of Yale University School of Medicine, who are exploring how artificial intelligence may help address inequities in the detection and diagnosis of transthyretin amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). Their work examines whether AI-based tools could support earlier identification of disease and help more women receive a timely diagnosis.
Women cardiologists often face systemic challenges that can limit their professional growth, including fewer opportunities for advancement, sponsorship, research leadership, advanced training, equitable pay, and supportive family leave policies. We are working to change this reality by empowering women cardiologists to thrive as leaders, innovators, and change-makers in cardiovascular medicine.” – Dr. Malissa Wood, Chief Medical Officer, Women As One
Broadening Who Shapes Cardiovascular Science
During ESC 2026, Alnylam participated in Women As One's RISE event, joining a discussion on building an inclusive research ecosystem. Topics included inclusive research design, investigator-sponsored research pathways and how the cardiovascular community can create more opportunities for women to lead research.
Beata Maj, Head of International Medical Affairs at Alnylam, attends RISE @ ESC Congress 2026 Bringing More Perspectives into Clinical Research
Building an inclusive research ecosystem also depends on who participates in the research itself.
Past ATTR-CM clinical trials applied the same wall-thickness threshold to men and women. Because women tend to have smaller hearts, they may not meet absolute wall-thickness thresholds even when their hearts show abnormal thickening. Recognizing this gap, Alnylam intentionally adjusted the septal wall thickness inclusion criteria for women in the global Phase 3 TRITON-CM clinical trial. Informed by emerging scientific literature and expert input, the study uses a lower septal wall thickness requirement for women than for men.
Patient interviews and focus groups also shaped the protocol, leading to clearer consent materials and reduced study burden. Together, these changes reflect a broader principle: designing trials that account for biological differences rather than overlooking them.
Building the Leadership Pipeline for the Future
The future of cardiovascular medicine will be shaped not only by scientific advances, but by who has the opportunity to lead and participate in them. Expanding access to mentorship, research and leadership can bring more perspectives into cardiovascular science and ultimately help the field ask better questions that generate better evidence for patients.
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