Ellen W. Seely

Ellen Seely, MD

Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Director of Clinical Research, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Dr. Ellen W. Seely is a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of Clinical Research for the Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension Division at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) where she also serves as vice chair for Faculty Development for the Department of Medicine.

Dr. Seely’s research focuses on unique cardiovascular risk factors in women with a focus on pregnancy complications, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes and menopause. She is studying the mechanisms by which gestational diabetes and preeclampsia lead to increased future cardiovascular risk and how to reduce that risk. In women with prior gestational diabetes, she is studying lifestyle interventions to reduce the risk of future development of Type 2 diabetes, a cardiovascular risk factor equivalent.  In women with prior preeclampsia, she is studying lifestyle interventions to reduce the risk of the future development of hypertension. In addition, she is studying the role of activation of the angiotensin 2 type-1 receptor in mediating the increased risk for cardiovascular disease in women with a history of preeclampsia.  In postmenopausal women, she has demonstrated complex relationships between both estrogen and progesterone with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which she postulates may explain in part the increase in CVD associated with hormone treatment in this population. 

Dr. Seely is dedicated to training early career investigators and has won several awards for excellence in mentoring. Dr. Seely received her MD from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. She received her training in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology and Metabolism at BWH.