Elena Grune, a researcher at the University of Freiburg and Helmholtz Munich, has been awarded the Paul Dudley White International Scholar Award by the American Heart Association for the best abstract from Germany.
NAKO researchers presented the German National Cohort (NAKO) at the “EPI|Lifestyle Scientific Sessions 2026” conference in Boston. Among them was researcher Elena Grune from the University of Freiburg. She gave a presentation and was also awarded the Paul Dudley White International Scholar Award by the American Heart Association (AHA) for the best abstract from Germany.
With this award, the AHA recognises outstanding scientific contributions from international research teams whose work received the highest ratings at the “Scientific Sessions 2026”.
In her award-winning abstract, “Validation of Imaging-Derived Body Composition Subphenotypes Reflects Distinct Fat Distribution Patterns Associated with Different Degrees of Cardiovascular Disease Risk”, Grune examines how imaging-based analyses of body composition can help to determine individual risk profiles for cardiovascular disease more accurately. Her research focuses on the link between fat distribution, metabolic health and the impact on high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
Through her work, she is helping to develop innovative methods for the early detection of cardiovascular risks. The data from the NAKO study provide an ideal basis for this – particularly the large number of whole-body MRI scans available.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) research data
The German National Cohort (NAKO) includes an imaging study involving standardised whole-body MRI scans, which is being conducted on a sub-population of approximately 30,000 participants. These scans are performed using identical 3T Skyra scanners (manufactured by Siemens Healthineers) and provide detailed images of the brain, the heart, fat distribution and the musculoskeletal system. All imaging data is centrally managed and quality-assured by the Imaging Core to ensure consistency and scientific quality.