Dominick Angiolillo, MD, PhD, a professor of medicine and director of cardiovascular research at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville, remains one of the world’s most revered researchers.
Angiolillo appears on a list released by Clarivate Analytics, which tracks the number of times scientists are cited in science and social science journals. He is among the nearly 3,400 scholars across 21 fields who are in the top 1 percent of most-cited researchers worldwide.
“It’s humbling to know you are regarded as one of the global leaders in your field,” said Angiolillo, who has extensively studied coronary artery disease and antiplatelet medications, which prevent blood clot formation. “This designation speaks to the global impact of the high level of academic activity that’s occurring across our campus.”
For its 2017 list, Clarivate Analytics, formerly part of Thomson Reuters, tracked citations across an 11-year period, from 2005 to 2015. Its analysis identified the most frequently cited researchers whose papers have supported, influenced, inspired and challenged other researchers around the globe.
Angiolillo has authored more than 400 peer-reviewed articles and has been cited nearly 28,000 times throughout his career. He is one of just 10 UF faculty members — and the only one from the College of Medicine, in Jacksonville or Gainesville — to earn the most-cited distinction for 2017. This marks the fourth consecutive year he has garnered this recognition.
His latest activity includes ongoing clinical trials at UF Health Jacksonville that target stent-procedure patients. During appointments, his team conducts genetic tests to help determine if individual cardiovascular patients carry certain genes that make them less likely to metabolize clopidogrel (Plavix). That medication is often prescribed to patients following the placement of coronary stents to reduce the risk of blood clots and heart attacks.
When a certain gene is detected, an alternate treatment method is taken. Also, the gene may be tied to responses to other classes of medication. Therefore, the information may serve additional clinical purposes.
More than 1,600 patients have been tested since the trials began in 2016. The goal is to enroll at least 2,500.
“The genetic testing has been moving forward. We are demonstrating feasibility, as it’s something we can now apply in our daily clinical practice,” Angiolillo said. “We are appreciative of our patients, who understand the importance of participating in these clinical trials. This will only advance the field as we continue exploring the hereditary components of heart disease.”
Like other lines of research Angiolillo and his colleagues have been working on for nearly two decades, they hope this research will impact future practice guidelines, making the personalized medicine approach part of the standard of care for physicians.
Angiolillo is also investigating novel blood-thinning therapies and exploring how new medications aimed at regulating levels of both “good” and “bad” cholesterol can impact the effects of blood-thinning agents commonly used in clinical practice.
He is exploring strategies on how to most safely and effectively use medications that are currently available while waiting for new treatment options under investigation to become clinically available. The overall goal is to reduce heart attack risk while avoiding bleeding complications.
Featured Faculty
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Dominick J. Angiolillo, MD, PhD, FACC
Professor
Chief, Division of Cardiology; Medical Director, UF Health Cardiovascular Center; Medical Director, Cardiovascular Research Program; Program Director, Interventional Cardiology Fellowship; Program Director, General Cardiovascular Care Fellowship