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Alireza Haghighi

M.D., L.L.B., D.Phil., FACMG

Chief Executive and Director, Harvard Medical School International Center for Genetic Disease

Principal Investigator and Director, Bahrain National Genome Program at Harvard

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Brigham and Women's Hospital

Dr. Haghighi is an Assistant Professor and clinician-scientist in the Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School. He is internationally recognized for his leadership in projects aimed at improving health and well-being worldwide. Dr. Haghighi regularly advises government leaders on national health policies and initiatives. He is an American Board-Certified Geneticist. He completed his graduate and clinical training at the University of Oxford, and Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Haghighi is the Chief Executive and Founding Director of the Harvard Medical School International Center for Genetic Disease (iCGD), and the Principal Investigator (PI) and Director of the National Genome Project of Bahrain.

For his research, he investigates the genetic basis of human disease, with a focus on cardiovascular disease (e.g., cardiomyopathies, and congenital heart disease) and translating these research discoveries into better diagnostics and improved patient care. He is the PI on two NIH- and AHA-funded projects for investigating the genetics of unexplained cardiomyopathies in adults and children. He is also the Director of the GEnetics NEtwork in the Middle East and Africa (GENE-ME), a large clinical research network for genetic studies in those regions that aims to: (1) identify novel disease-causing mutations and genotype-phenotype correlations, and (2) advance genomic medicine in the Middle East and Africa through capacity building.

Dr. Haghighi has led many international projects to advance medical science in different countries and improve the health and well-being of people. He is the Founding President of the Advancement Initiative for Medicine and Science (AIMS). This global foundation brings together academics and physicians and is dedicated to advancing medical science and healthcare around the world.

Among the many prestigious awards and honors, he has received for his scientific and international contributions are the Global Health Pioneer Award (for his pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life through innovative strategies and capacity-building initiatives), and the International Genetic Disorders Prevention Award (for outstanding contributions to and scientific excellence in genetic research).

Contact Infomation

Email:

ahaghighi@bwh.harvard.edu

Alireza Haghighi

M.D., L.L.B., D.Phil., FACMG

Chief Executive and Director, Harvard Medical School International Center for Genetic Disease

Principal Investigator and Director, Bahrain National Genome Program at Harvard

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Brigham and Women's Hospital

Dr. Haghighi is an Assistant Professor and clinician-scientist in the Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School. He is internationally recognized for his leadership in projects aimed at improving health and well-being worldwide. Dr. Haghighi regularly advises government leaders on national health policies and initiatives. He is an American Board-Certified Geneticist. He completed his graduate and clinical training at the University of Oxford, and Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Haghighi is the Chief Executive and Founding Director of the Harvard Medical School International Center for Genetic Disease (iCGD), and the Principal Investigator (PI) and Director of the National Genome Project of Bahrain.

For his research, he investigates the genetic basis of human disease, with a focus on cardiovascular disease (e.g., cardiomyopathies, and congenital heart disease) and translating these research discoveries into better diagnostics and improved patient care. He is the PI on two NIH- and AHA-funded projects for investigating the genetics of unexplained cardiomyopathies in adults and children. He is also the Director of the GEnetics NEtwork in the Middle East and Africa (GENE-ME), a large clinical research network for genetic studies in those regions that aims to: (1) identify novel disease-causing mutations and genotype-phenotype correlations, and (2) advance genomic medicine in the Middle East and Africa through capacity building.

Dr. Haghighi has led many international projects to advance medical science in different countries and improve the health and well-being of people. He is the Founding President of the Advancement Initiative for Medicine and Science (AIMS). This global foundation brings together academics and physicians and is dedicated to advancing medical science and healthcare around the world.

Among the many prestigious awards and honors, he has received for his scientific and international contributions are the Global Health Pioneer Award (for his pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life through innovative strategies and capacity-building initiatives), and the International Genetic Disorders Prevention Award (for outstanding contributions to and scientific excellence in genetic research).

Recent Publications

Enhancing randomized clinical trials with digital twins

Published On 2025 Oct 03

Journal article

Digital twins (DTs) can transform randomized clinical trials by improving ethical standards, including safety, informed consent, equity, and data privacy. They also enhance trial efficiency by enabling early detection of adverse events and streamlined design. This paper explores the role of DTs in personalized medicine, from pre-clinical research to post-marketing, while addressing technological, legal, and ethical challenges in implementation.