Virend Somers

Virend Somers, M.D., Ph.D., is a Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, with primary appointments in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, and joint appointments in Physiology & Biomedical Engineering and Nephrology & Hypertension. He directs the Cardiovascular and Sleep Facilities within Mayo Clinic's Center for Clinical and Translational Science.

Education:

• MB ChB, University of Natal
• D.Phil., University of Oxford
• Resident, Internal Medicine, University of Iowa
• Fellow, Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Research Interests: Dr. Somers' research centers on neural and vascular mechanisms in circulatory control, particularly in sleep disorders such as obstructive and central sleep apnea, hypertension, obesity, and heart failure. His team investigates autonomic nervous system regulation, chemoreflex responses, and vascular biology in humans. His work bridges basic physiology with clinical applications to improve cardiovascular outcomes.

Publication Trends: His recent publications (2021–2025) show a strong emphasis on sleep-cardiovascular interactions, including blood pressure regulation during sleep, cardiovascular mortality in the context of comorbidities like obesity and COVID-19, and neurocardiological mechanisms in arrhythmias and syncope. His work frequently appears in high-impact journals such as Sleep, Journal of the American Heart Association, and Journal of Physiology.

Scientific Awards:

• Alice Sheets Marriott Professor (2016)
• CTSA Mentor of the Year (2012)
• Distinguished Scientist in Cardiopulmonary Physiology, American College of Chest Physicians (2017)
• Stanford University World's Top 2% Scientists (2021)
• Lifetime Achievement Award, South African Society of Sleep Medicine (2012)
• Doctor Honoris Causa, Masaryk University (2007)

Advising and Grants: Dr. Somers has mentored numerous trainees who have won national awards. His research is supported by four NIH R01 grants, a Dana Foundation grant, and a NATO grant. His leadership in collaborative research spans institutions in the U.S., Europe, and South Africa.

Labs and Teams: He leads the Cardiovascular Facility and Sleep Facility at Mayo Clinic’s Center for Clinical and Translational Science, fostering interdisciplinary research on sleep and cardiovascular disease.