After earning her bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, Taylor Ward, MSCR, came to Mount Sinai’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences with a dual passion for nutrition and health equity. As a student in the Master of Science in Clinical Research program, she conducted cardiovascular disparities research, working directly with cardiology patients, and developing Soulfully Nutritious, a culturally responsive nutrition education framework designed to help adults living with cardiomyopathy make sustainable dietary changes while honoring their cultural food traditions. Her work bridges clinical research, community engagement, and patient education, earning her Mount Sinai’s 2026 Commencement Award for Community Service and Engagement in Clinical Research.
In the following Q&A, Ms. Ward discusses what she has learned, the mentors who shaped her experience, and her vision for advancing cardiovascular health through research, education, and community partnership.
What is your background?
I developed a strong interest in nutrition, health equity, and community-based research at Cornell University, and my experiences there helped me understand that health outcomes are influenced not only by biology, but also by access to resources, education, culture, and the broader social determinants of health. That foundation led me to Mount Sinai’s Master of Science in Clinical Research program where I focused on cardiovascular health disparities, clinical research, and community engagement, with a particular interest in improving outcomes for historically underserved populations. My work has allowed me to combine research, patient-centered care, and health education in ways that directly benefit the communities most affected by cardiovascular disease.
What first attracted you to this field?
I wanted to better understand why some communities experience worse health outcomes than others. As I learned more about nutrition and cardiovascular disease, I became increasingly interested in the social, cultural, and environmental factors that shape health long before someone enters a hospital or clinic. Cardiovascular disease has a profound impact on individuals, families, and communities. I wanted to contribute to work that not only advances our understanding of disease, but also improves patient care and helps people take an active role in their health.
Who were your mentors and what are some of your research highlights?
I had the privilege of working with two exceptional Mount Sinai mentors: Janice L. Gabrilove, MD, Director of the Clinical Research Education Program, and Icilma V. Fergus, MD, Director of Cardiovascular Disparities at Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital. Dr. Gabrilove’s leadership in clinical and translational research helped shape my understanding of how rigorous study design and scientific inquiry can ultimately improve patient care. Under her guidance, I developed the skills needed to transform a research question into a meaningful and impactful clinical research project. Working with Dr. Fergus allowed me to explore the intersection of cardiovascular medicine, health equity, and community engagement. As a nationally recognized leader in cardiovascular disparities research, she inspired me to think beyond traditional clinical outcomes and consider how cultural, social, and structural factors shape cardiovascular health. Her mentorship helped shape both my research interests and my commitment to reducing health disparities in underserved communities.
With their guidance, I developed my master’s thesis, Soulfully Nutritious, which investigates culturally tailored nutrition education as a strategy for improving cardiovascular self-management among adults living with nonischemic cardiomyopathies, including transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis. The project integrates cardiovascular medicine, nutrition science, and community-based health education to address disparities in cardiovascular outcomes. It emphasizes culturally responsive nutrition education that supports sustainable dietary changes while preserving cultural food traditions.
The project integrates cardiovascular medicine, nutrition science, and community-based health education to address disparities in cardiovascular outcomes. It emphasizes culturally responsive nutrition education that supports sustainable dietary changes while preserving cultural food traditions. Beyond developing the framework, I conducted community health seminars and educational initiatives designed to improve cardiovascular health literacy and bridge the gap among evidence-based medicine and real-world patient experiences. That experience reinforced my belief that research is most impactful when it extends beyond academic settings and directly benefits the communities it seeks to serve.