DeLisa Fairweather

DeLisa Fairweather, Ph.D., is a Professor of Medicine and Consultant in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine and Department of Immunology at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. She serves as Director of Translational Research for Cardiovascular Diseases and leads the Translational Cardiovascular Disease Research Laboratory, where her work bridges immunology and cardiology to develop individualized therapies for chronic inflammatory diseases such as myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Her research is highly interdisciplinary, integrating sex differences, biomarker discovery, and regenerative medicine.

• Primary Appointment: Consultant, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine
• Joint Appointment: Consultant, Department of Immunology
• Academic Rank: Professor of Medicine
• Location: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL

Education:

• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Immunology, Laboratory of Dr. Noel R. Rose, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
• Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology, University of Western Australia
• M.Sc. in Microbiology and Immunology, University of Western Australia
• B.A. in Biology, Whitman College

Dr. Fairweather's research focuses on the immunopathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, with a strong emphasis on sex differences in inflammation caused by environmental exposures. She has pioneered work in myocarditis and DCM, developing animal models that closely mimic human disease. Her lab investigates biomarkers for noninvasive diagnosis and risk prediction, including the role of vitamin D as a sex-specific immunomodulator. She is also deeply involved in regenerative medicine through the Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics. A major recent contribution is her leadership in the U.S. COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Expanded Access Program, where she co-investigated and coordinated national data collection via REDCap.

Analysis of her recent publications (2019–2025) reveals a strong trend toward translational and interdisciplinary research, spanning myocarditis transcriptomics, AI in cardiovascular diagnostics, iron deficiency in athletes, aging-related mitochondrial signaling, and rare vascular headaches. Her work consistently emphasizes sex-specific mechanisms and clinical applicability.

Scientific Awards and Professional Service:

• Scientific Advisory Board Member, International Society of Cardiomyopathies, Myocarditis and Heart Failure (2016–present)
• External Advisory Committee, Center for the Study of Sex Differences in Health, Aging and Disease, Georgetown University (2015–present)
• Standing Member, Atherosclerosis and Inflammation of the Cardiovascular System Study Section, NIH (2014–present)
• Chair, American Heart Association Immunology BSc4 Review Committee (2014–2015)
• Board Member, Myocarditis Foundation (2011–present)

Dr. Fairweather is actively involved in mentoring and training, welcoming students, residents, and fellows to her lab. She has secured significant research support through national programs and collaborative grants, particularly in convalescent plasma research and sex differences in disease. Her lab plays a central role in coordinating multi-institutional studies and maintaining critical research infrastructure.

Laboratory and Research Centers:

• Translational Cardiovascular Disease Research Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville
• Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics, Mayo Clinic
• Women's Health Research Center, Mayo Clinic
• Immunology Research, Mayo Clinic