Donald S. Fredrickson, M.D., a leading researcher on the link between lipids and fats and heart disease, was NIH Director from 1975 to 1981. In the 1960s, he discovered the genetic disorders known as Tangier disease, which involves the absence of high-density lipoproteins, and cholesteryl ester storage disease, a lysosomal enzyme deficiency. Later in his career, he led the Howard Hughes Medical Research Institute. Dr. Fredrickson was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 1971 and the National Academy of Science in 1973; he received the Canada Gairdner Award in 1978.

Donald S. Fredrickson