Mona Nemer is recognized as one of the most original scientists in the field of transcriptional regulation of cardiac growth and differentiation. She was the first to isolate transcription factor GATA-4 in cardiac myocyte differentiation and to propose common molecular pathways for cardiac and hematopoietic cell differentiation. Her analysis of cardiac transcription in normal and diseased hearts will lead to a better understanding and treatment of congenital or acquired cardiac disease.