The Anitschkow Prize is named in honor of Dr. Nikolaj Anitschkow, a pioneering pathologist whose groundbreaking work in the early 20th century laid the foundation for our modern understanding of atherosclerosis. Anitschkow’s studies were the first to link cholesterol with atherosclerotic plaque formation, demonstrating how dietary cholesterol contributed to the buildup of arterial plaques, a critical insight that forever changed cardiovascular research.
Dr. Anitschkow’s meticulous experiments provided evidence that the accumulation of lipids in blood vessel walls was a major factor in the progression of cardiovascular disease. His findings were revolutionary, establishing the concept of lipid-driven atherosclerosis, which continues to guide scientific exploration and therapeutic innovation to this day.
The Anitschkow Prize, awarded by the European Atherosclerosis Society, celebrates his legacy by recognizing exceptional contributions to the study of atherosclerosis and related metabolic disorders.