Esther Lutgens

Esther Lutgens, M.D., Ph.D., is a Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, with appointments in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Department of Immunology. Her research focuses on the immune mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis and cardiovascular inflammation. She leads a dynamic laboratory integrating clinical and basic science to uncover novel immunotherapeutic strategies.

Education:

• MD – University of Maastricht
• PhD – University of Maastricht
• Residency in Pathology – Maastricht University Medical Center
• Postdoctoral Research in Vascular Biology – Harvard Medical School
• Postdoctoral Research in Vascular Biology – Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

Dr. Lutgens’ research centers on vascular immunology, particularly the roles of immune checkpoints, T cells, macrophages, and inflammatory pathways in atherosclerosis. Her lab employs cutting-edge technologies including single-cell sequencing, flow cytometry, and genetically modified mouse models to map immune responses in cardiovascular disease. A key goal is to develop targeted immunotherapies, such as the CD40-TRAF6 inhibitor, to halt or reverse atherosclerosis progression.

Her recent publications reflect a strong focus on immune regulation in cardiovascular disease, spanning from basic immune mechanisms (e.g., T cell plasticity) to clinical applications (e.g., immune checkpoint inhibitors). The work demonstrates a consistent trajectory toward translational immunotherapeutics for cardiovascular conditions.

Scientific Awards:

• Vici laureate, Dutch Research Council (2013)
• Jeffrey M. Hoeg Award, American Heart Association (2016)
• ERC Consolidator Grant (2016)
• Outstanding Achievement Award, Basic Science Council, ESC (2018)

Dr. Lutgens has received major grant support, including the CD40INN grant from the European Research Council and leadership roles in the Leducq International Network and the Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics. She has advised numerous researchers and mentored teams across institutions. Her leadership includes chairing the Atherosclerosis and Vascular Biology Working Group of the ESC (2022–2024) and the Gordon Research Conference on Atherosclerosis (2025).

Laboratories and Teams: She leads the Experimental Vascular Biology lab, which includes specialized teams focusing on immune checkpoint mapping, cell-type-specific immune effects, and immunotherapeutic development. Her lab integrates clinical data with experimental models and biobanked human plaque materials to validate findings across species.