Roberto Ferrari | |
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Born | June 10, 1950 |
Occupation | Cardiologist |
Roberto Ferrari (born 10 June 1950) is an Italian cardiologist who holds the position of Emeritus Professor at the University of Ferrara,[1][2][3] where besides he was the chair of the Cardiology in the School of Medicine until the 2019–2020 academic year.
Ferrari has served as the Director of the Cardiovascular Centre of the University of Ferrara, the Director of Cardiology at the St. Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, and the Director of the Centre of Cardiovascular Research "S. Maugeri".[2][4] Ferrari is past President of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
Ferrari was born in La Spezia, Italy. He is the only son of a textile merchant. He was encouraged by his cousin, a biochemist, Anna Maria Sechi, to study medicine.[5][6][7]
Ferrari graduated with distinction from the Bologna School[8] of Medicine in 1974.[2][3][5][9][10][6] Upon graduation, Professor Ferrari went on to complete specialized post graduate studies at both the School of Cardiology through the University of Parma (1974-1976), and the School of Radiology through the University of Bologna (1977-1980).[2][3][5][9][6] Driven by a keen interest in research, Professor Ferrari proceeded to complete his PhD degree in field of cardiac metabolism at the Cardiothoracic Institute of the National Heart Hospital through the University of London (1980-1982).[2][3][5][9][10][6] He served as an Honorary Assistant Research Fellow at the National Heart Hospital in London from 1978 to 1989, and as a Senior Research Fellow at the Rayne Institute of St. Thomas’ Hospital in London (1989-1996).[10]
Ferrari has contributed scientific findings targeted at characterizing the molecular mechanisms of the ischemic and failing myocardium, dedicating himself to improving the clinical treatment of myocardial ischemia and heart failure, while placing a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary and collaborative studies throughout his career.[2][3][5][9][10]
Ferrari holds the position of Emeritus Professor at the University of Ferrara.[1][2][3] His academic career path development follows his initial appointment to the position of associate professor in Cardiology at the University of Brescia in 1987 and then at the University of Ferrara in 1998.[10] In 2000, Professor Ferrari was appointed to the position of Full Professor in Cardiology as well as the Director of the Cardiovascular Centre of the University of Ferrara and Director of Cardiology at the St. Anna University Hospital of Ferrara.[2][3][5][9][4][10] In addition to his current position as Emeritus Professor, Ferrari is presently the Scientific Director of Medical Trial Analysis, an academic Clinical Research Organization (CRO).[11] He founded the European Heart for Children (EHC), established during his presidency of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). As a non-profit organization, the EHC aims to cure children born with congenital heart diseases in underdeveloped countries. Since its formation, the EHC has effectively conducted nearly 30 missions, examined, diagnosed, and treated over 2200 children, with 349 being successfully operated on, and trained numerous cardiologists and cardiac surgeons around the world. Moreover, the EHC has built a pediatric cardiovascular surgeon training center in Nigeria and successfully constructed a Pediatric Unit in Syria, with the third facility in Morocco currently in progress.[5][7][12][13][14]
Ferrari has held positions held in several cardiological organizations: Founder and President of the European Heart for Children (EHC) from 2010 to 2018;[2][5][7][13] Member of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Committee for Practice Guidelines from 2012 to 2014;[2][15] President of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) from 2008 to 2010;[2][3][5][9][16][4] Vice President & Chairman of the ESC Associations, Councils & Working Groups 2004–2006;[2][3][6] Executive Board Member and Chairman of the ESC Education Committee 2002–2004;[2][3][6] President of the World Section of the International Society for Heart Research (ISHR) from 2004 to 2007 and Treasurer from 1994 to 2002.[2][3][6][17] He was Chairman of the ESC Working Group on Cellular Biology 1994–1996,[2][3][6] Chairman of the EURObservational Research Program (EORP) of the European Society of Cardiology,[2][7][18] Director of the School for Clinical and Epidemiologic Researchers,[12] Board member of the World Heart Federation as a representative of Italy[2][19] and founder and president of the scientific foundation Fondazione Anna Maria Sechi per il Cuore (FASC) in honor of his cousin.[20][21]
He is Editor-in-Chief of the European Heart Journal Supplements: the Heart of the Matter[2][22][23] and Editor of Dialogues in Cardiovascular Medicine.[2][6]
His contributions to the field of cardiology include several books, over 800 published peer-reviewed papers, citation numbers nearing 50 000, and an H-index that is close to 90.[24][25][26]
Ferrari's scientific contributions are recognized in both the field of basic and translational medicine, as well as clinical research. Ferrari's extensive research contributions have led to significant changes in cardiology practice guidelines and resulted in the successful registration of related pharmaceutical products.[30][31]
Ferrari's contributions in basic and Medicina traslazionale encompass 4 distinct areas:
Ferrari's contributions in clinical medicine have led to changes in cardiology practice guidelines and facilitated the registration of pharmaceutical products in 5 distinct areas:
Ferrari has been on the steering committees of several multicenter trials as chairman of the following trials: PREAMI, EUROPA, STRATEGY, MULTI-STRATEGY, 3T2R, Beautiful, Shift, Signify, Modify, START-IF, ATPCI.[2][9] And as the Executive Committee Member of the following trials: SENIORS, PACMAN, Clarify, COMPOSE, RELAX-AHF 2.[2]