William E. Kraus, MD

Department of Medicine
School of Medicine
Duke University
Durham, NC

Dr. Kraus is a physician scientist and Professor in the Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine at Duke University. He is Director of Translational Research at the Duke Molecular Physiology Institute and the Duke Center for Living, a multidisciplinary treatment and research facility dedicated to the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Dr. Kraus is Director for Clinical Research. He has been Medical Director of the Duke Cardiac Rehabilitation Program since 1994. His undergraduate degree was in Astronomy and Astrophysics (1977) from Harvard College. He received his Medical degree (1983) and training (Internal Medicine Residency and Cardiology Fellowship) all from Duke University School of Medicine. Dr. Kraus’ research interests include basic science in the cellular signaling processes underlying the plasticity of skeletal muscle gene expression, mechanisms of skeletal myocyte development and differentiation, the human physiology underlying exercise training benefits on cardiovascular health, and the human genetics of cardiometabolic diseases. He has been principal investigator for STRRIDE, a series of 3 NIH-sponsored human studies focusing on the dose-response effects of exercise training on cardiometabolic health. He served on the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee.