Hesham A. Sadek was appointed as the new director of the Sarver Heart Center in May of 2024, bringing with him an impressive research portfolio from UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. He previously served as associate director of the Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine and a professor of internal medicine/cardiology with joint appointments in biophysics and molecular biology.
Dr. Sadek's work has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health since 2011, and his clinical expertise in echocardiography and heart muscle function ensures that cutting-edge research translates into superior patient care. Sadek also is associate editor of the cardiovascular journal Circulation and serves on several American Heart Association committees.
Dr. Sadek is recognized internationally for his research into the activation of mechanisms involved in the regeneration of damaged heart muscle. His seminal discovery of the newborn mammalian heart’s ability to regenerate has significantly altered the landscape of cardiac biology. His current research includes repurposing FDA-approved drugs to enhance heart regeneration and address rare genetic mutations causing heart failure.