Scott M. Grundy, M.D., Ph.D., a Professor in the Center for Human Nutrition whose research on the metabolic determinants of atherosclerosis has been instrumental in formulating approaches to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease, died on Jan. 29. He was 91.

In 1981, Dr. Grundy joined UT Southwestern as founding Director of the Center for Human Nutrition – the first such enterprise at an American medical school – established through a generous gift from Peter O’Donnell Jr. and his wife, Edith. Over the course of 32 years, he oversaw the Center’s mission to offer a place where faculty could conduct independent research on the use of nutrition for the treatment and prevention of disease, provide nutritional education for health professionals, answer questions about how and why what humans eat affects the body, and develop educational programs and consultation services for the community. He was also a Professor of Internal Medicine.

“Without doubt, Dr. Grundy was one of the key faculty members who established the prominence of UT Southwestern as an academic medical center known worldwide for impactful scientific advances,” said W. P. Andrew Lee, M.D., Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Provost, and Dean, UT Southwestern Medical School. “His work has made an indelible mark on the scientific community.”

Dr. Grundy's scientific contributions, published in more than 400 papers, spanned multiple fields related to nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular risk. His work influenced the development of new techniques to study pathways of cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism, clarified the function of monosaturated fat in diet, and demonstrated the effectiveness of statins to lower blood cholesterol levels. The latter studies played a pivotal role in the approval of these medications now used by tens of millions of patients worldwide, helping “bend the curve” of mortality and morbidity from cardiovascular disease.

His research also led to better understanding of the mechanisms underlying gallstone formation and suggested new options for treatment. Notably, Dr. Grundy’s seminal work shaped dietary and therapeutic guidelines for the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemias and obesity.

“Dr. Grundy was one of the leaders in cardiovascular prevention whom I knew about well before I arrived at UT Southwestern,” added Thomas Wang, M.D., Chair and Professor of Internal Medicine. “He created an incredible legacy for those of us in the Department and the institution to try to carry on.”

Dr. Grundy was born in 1933 to Allen and Beulah Grundy. His father was a farmer and lawyer; his mother was a homemaker. He met his wife, Lois Parker, during his senior year at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. They married in 1956 and later had two children: Pamela and Stephan.

Dr. Grundy earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, a master’s degree and a medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, and a doctoral degree from The Rockefeller University in New York City. He was also given an honorary degree in medicine from the University of Helsinki in Finland.

Dr. Grundy also served on the faculty at the University of California San Diego, the National Institutes of Health Phoenix Clinical Research Unit, and The Rockefeller University.

His discoveries advancing biomedical science were recognized with multiple honors, including election to the National Academy of Medicine (1995), the Bristol-Myers Squibb/Mead Johnson Award for Distinguished Achievement in Nutrition Research (1997), the American Heart Association (AHA) Discovery Award (2000), being designated a Distinguished Scientist of the AHA (2005), the AHA’s Gold Heart Award (2009), and the Pioneer in Prevention Award from the American Society for Preventive Cardiology (2022).

“He was not only a brilliant scientist but also a dedicated mentor, physician, researcher, and leader,” said Jay Horton, M.D., Professor and Director of the Center for Human Nutrition. “His impact will be felt for generations to come. He will be sorely missed but never forgotten.”

During his time at UTSW, Dr. Grundy trained more than 100 research fellows and successfully mentored numerous early-career faculty, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers of their own.

Dr. Grundy is survived by a daughter, Pamela Grundy, son-in-law, Peter Wong, grandson, Parker Wong, and daughter-in-law, Melodi Grundy.

Contributions in Dr. Grundy’s memory, which will support the Human and Metabolic Diseases Fellowship at the Center for Human Nutrition, can be mailed to UT Southwestern Medical Center, Office of Development & Alumni Relations, P.O. Box 910888, TX 75391-0888, or given online.