A Transformative Leader for a New Era of Research at Tufts
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Iris Z. Jaffe, MD, PhD, Executive Director of the Molecular Cardiology Research Institute (MCRI) at Tufts Medicine and Elisa Kent Mendelsohn Professor of Molecular Cardiology at Tufts University School of Medicine, as the inaugural Director of the Tufts University–Tufts Medicine (TU-TM) Research Enterprise, a transformative leadership role dedicated to shaping the future of research across Tufts.
Dr. Jaffe will lead the charge in executing a bold vision for a unified and innovative research ecosystem within Tufts. Dr. Jaffe will define strategic research priorities, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, and continue to build powerful partnerships between the university and the health system, as well as partnerships with industry leaders and the Boston research community. This position is part of a broader effort to strategically support critical academic collaboration between TUSM and Tufts Medicine. Together with members of the Tufts Research Executive Committee (REC), Dr. Jaffe will work to realize Tufts University President Sunil Kumar and Tufts Medicine CEO Michael Dandorph’s shared commitment to accelerating scientific discovery, translating research into improved human health, and positioning Tufts as a global leader in biomedical research.
“Dr. Jaffe’s appointment marks a pivotal moment in our university’s commitment to pioneering research that drives real-world impact and another strong step forward in strengthening the vital partnership between Tufts University and Tufts Medicine,” noted President Kumar. “Her exceptional leadership and scientific expertise will be instrumental in building a more integrated, innovative, and inclusive research enterprise across Tufts. We are confident that under her direction, the Tufts University–Tufts Medicine Research Enterprise will accelerate discovery, strengthen collaboration, and advance our mission to improve the human condition through knowledge and innovation.”
“Dr. Jaffe’s appointment underscores the strength of our partnership with Tufts University and our shared dedication to advancing research that improves lives,” added Michael Dandorph. “Her leadership will be vital in uniting our clinical and academic communities to spark innovation and translate discovery into real-world impact. Together, we have a unique opportunity to foster a more connected and dynamic environment—one that accelerates progress and delivers lasting change for the patients and communities we serve.”
Dr. Jaffe is an internationally renowned cardiologist and physician-scientist. She earned her Bachelor of Arts (BA), Doctor of Medicine (MD), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her residency in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and pursued a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Brigham and Women's Hospital. She joined the faculty at Tufts Medical Center in 2005 and was promoted to Professor of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine in 2017.
As a physician-scientist, Dr. Jaffe’s remarkable work bridges the lab and the clinic. She combines her deep knowledge of biology and cardiology to better understand what causes blood vessel diseases at the molecular level. Her research explores how certain hormones affect blood vessels to contribute to conditions like high blood pressure, artery disease, and aging of the vascular system. She is especially focused on how these diseases develop differently in men and women and the associated clinical implications. She has recently made pioneering discoveries in understanding how cancer therapy impacts cardiovascular disease. She is also a dedicated educator and mentor. Within the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, she is an active member of the Genetics, Molecular, and Cellular Biology (GMCB), Immunology, and MD-PhD programs, and has mentored and continues to mentor multiple MD-PhD students both within and outside her laboratory.
Dr. Jaffe has an impressive list of professional achievements: She has been continuously funded by the NIH since 2005 and has received numerous awards and honors for her research discoveries, including the Established Investigator Award from the American Heart Association. Dr. Jaffe was elected to the American Society of Clinical Investigation (ASCI), the Association of American Physicians (AAP), and the Association of University Cardiologists (AUC), recognizing her significant contributions to advancing biomedical research and its application to clinical medicine. Most recently, Dr. Jaffe was awarded the 2025 Barbarajean Magnani Award for outstanding women's leadership in medicine and science, and she serves on the American Heart Association Women’s Leadership Committee. She is the Associate Editor of Circulation and recently chaired the NIH Vascular Cell and Molecular Biology (VCMB) Study Section.
Dr. Jaffe's dedication to both research and clinical practice underscores her commitment to advancing the understanding and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Jaffe is uniquely qualified to succeed in this transformative role—one that marks a bold step forward in shaping the future of research across our integrated academic health system. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Jaffe as she leads this exciting new chapter in research at Tufts University and Tufts Medicine.