Fulbright Scholar: Dr. Faadiel Essop from South Africa
Mogammad Faadiel Essop, PhD, director at the Hatter Institute for Cardiology Research and senior lecturer at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, visited the University of Texas Medical School as a Fulbright Scholar to further his study on “The role of elevated fatty acid utilization in the development of cardiovascular disease.”  The Council for International Exchange of Scholars, through their Fulbright Scholar Program, provided the financial ability for Dr. Essop to advance the long-term collaboration between himself and Heinrich Taegtmeyer, MD, PhD, professor of medicine, UTHSC-H. The research could provide the foundation for preventing, treating, and curing heart disease. In 2002, approximately 30% of worldwide deaths were due to cardiovascular disease and the statistics are expecting heart disease as a major killer by 2020, says Essop. He observes that in his country of South Africa “the lifestyle is becoming more sedated, kids at school are exercising less, and we’re facing the same health problems as the developed countries.” His research on the metabolic aspects of heart disease is aligned with the increasing importance in prevention and treatment of heart disease. Essop’s interest in the research and investigation of heart disease is augmented by a strong family pattern of heart disease. “My father passed away with heart disease; I am more interested in finding answers to, and hopefully find a cure for heart disease.”
Drs. Faadiel Essop and Heinrich Taegtmeyer	Drs. Hui-Ming Chang and Faadiel Essop
Dr. Taegtmeyer, as part of a tradition he established, presents the Texas flag to Dr. Essop	Group waives flags of their native countries
Dr. Essop works in laboratory	Dr. Essop and Mr. Patrick Guthrie, Baylor College of Medicine
Mr. Guthrie and Dr. Essop	Drs. Essop and Taegtmeyer
Drs. Essop and Taegtmeyer	Drs. Taegtmeyer and Essop
Dr. Taegtmeyer	Dr. Essop
Drs. Taegtmeyer and Essop