One of today's preeminent researchers on the molecular mechanisms of oxygen regulation, Dr. Semenza has led the field in uncovering how cells adapt to changing oxygen levels. He is best known for his ground-breaking discovery of the HIF-1 (hypoxia-inducible factor 1) protein, which controls genes in response to changes in oxygen availability. The finding has far-reaching implications in understanding and treating low-oxygen health conditions such as coronary artery disease and tumor growth.

Dr. Semenza was recognized for this groundbreaking research in 2019, when awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. He shares the award with William G. Kaelin, Jr., M.D. of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Peter J. Ratcliffe of Oxford University.

He received his A.B. from Harvard University. He earned his M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, completed his residency in pediatrics at Duke University Medical Center and performed postdoctoral research in medical genetics at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Semenza joined the Johns Hopkins faculty in 1990.

Dr. Semenza's research interests include the molecular mechanisms of oxygen homeostasis; gene and stem cell therapy for ischemic cardiovascular disease; the role of HIF-1 in cancer; and protection of the heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury. He has authored more than 250 research articles and several book chapters, and has been cited in research more than 30,000 times.