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Lawrence
J.
Appel
,
MD

Professor
Lawrence Appel

Departmental Affiliations

School of Medicine
Primary
Joint
Division
Cardiovascular and Clinical Epidemiology
Joint
Division
Human Nutrition
School of Nursing
Joint

Contact Info

Welch Center for Prevention, 2024 E. Monument Street, Room 2-600
Baltimore
Maryland
21287
US        
410-955-0476

Research Interests

Cardiovascular disease; Kidney disease; Hypertension; Blood pressure; Nutrition; Obesity; Lifestyle modification; Behavioral interventions; Fall prevention; Clinical trials; Global prevention and control of non-communicable diseases
Experiences & Accomplishments
Education
MPH
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
1989
MD
New York University School of Medicine
1981
Overview
I am currently Director of the Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, a large interdisciplinary research unit that bridges the Schools of Medicine and Public Health at Hopkins.  The mission of the Welch Center is to conduct epidemiologic, clinical and translational research of the highest quality and to train the next generation of interdisciplinary researchers. 
As for my own research, I have conducted clinical research with a particular focus on preventing and controlling elevated blood pressure, and its consequences, primarily cardiovascular and kidney diseases. I have four active lines of research: (1) controlled feeding studies, (2) behavioral intervention trials, that test novel strategies to accomplish lifestyle changes, often related to obesity, (3) cohort studies and trials related to chronic kidney disease and its consequences, and (4) global implementation initiatives to prevent and control hypertension. A notable feature of my research is the focus on conditions and diseases that disproportionately afflict minorities and on interventions that have the potential to substantially reduce racial disparities.
Over the course of my career, I have mentored numerous students, fellows and faculty (and continue to do so).  In addition, I serve as PI of the 1) Renal Disease Epidemiology T32 training grant and 2) Associate Director of the Behavioral Research in Heart and Vascular Disease T32 at Hopkins. Training a diverse cadre of individuals is one of the most enjoyable aspects of my career. As a reflection of my commitment to education, I have received numerous teaching and mentoring awards.
Honors & Awards
2018 Distinguished Scientist, American Heart Association
2016-20 Most Influential Scientists (top 1% of highly cited papers), awarded by Clarivate (Web of Science)
2016 Marvin Moser Clinical Hypertension Award from the American Society of Hypertension
2016 Women Faculty Sponsorship Award, from the Task Force on Women’s Academic Careers in Medicine, JHUSOM
2015 Advising, Mentoring, and Teaching Recognition Award (AMTRA), nominated by JHSPH student body
2015 Elected Member, Association of American Physicians (AAP)
2015-20 Citations for Outstanding Teaching at JHSPH
2012 Elected Member, National Academy of Medicine (previously, Institute of Medicine, IOM)
2010 Director, Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research
2010 Conner Award Lecturer, American Heart Association 
2008 David M. Levine Excellence in Mentoring Award
2005, 2010 USDA/HHS Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee
Select Publications
Selected publications from > 400
  • Appel LJ, Moore TL, Obarzanek E et al. A clinical trial of the effects of dietary patterns on blood pressure. DASH Collaborative Research Group. N Engl J Med. 1997 Apr 17;336(16):1117-24. PMID: 9099655.
  • Appel LJ, Sacks FM, Carey V et al for the OmniHeart Collaborative Research Group. Effects of protein, monounsaturated fat, and carbohydrate intake on blood pressure and serum lipids: results of the OmniHeart randomized trial. JAMA. 2005 Nov 16;294(19):2455-64. PMID: 16287956.
  • Appel LJ, Brands MW , Daniels SR et all American Heart Association. Dietary approaches to prevent and treat hypertension: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Hypertension. 2006 Feb;47(2):296-308. PMID: 16434724.
  • Appel LJ, Wright JT, Greene T, et al.  Intensive blood-pressure control in hypertensive chronic kidney disease.  N Engl J Med 2010:363(10):918-929.  PMID: 20818902
  • Appel LJ, Michos ED, Mitchell CM et al. The effects of four doses of vitamin D supplements on falls in older adults : A response-adaptive, randomized clinical rrial. 2020 Dec 8. doi: 10.7326/M20-3812. Online ahead of print. PMID: 33284677
Projects
Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study
Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL)