Click on each image below to explore the studies I’ve worked on.
The HERMES study is a global research initiative aiming to identify the genetic determinants of heart failure and understand the molecular pathways leading to the disease. By analysing biological samples and performing genome-wide genotyping, the study seeks to develop genomic tools for disease stratification and risk prediction.
At our hospital, I supported this study by processing blood samples in our laboratory, ensuring their integrity for subsequent genomic analyses. Contributing to this large-scale project highlighted the critical role of precise laboratory work in advancing cardiovascular research.
This observational study, sponsored by Amgen Inc., investigates the distribution of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels in individuals with a known history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), including heart attacks or coronary procedures. Lp(a) is a cholesterol-carrying particle in the blood that, unlike LDL, is largely unaffected by lifestyle changes and is genetically determined. High levels of Lp(a) are increasingly recognised as a risk factor for cardiovascular events, yet routine testing has been limited. This study aims to fill that gap by identifying patients with elevated Lp(a) to better understand its role in ASCVD risk.
I supported this international study by processing participant blood samples in our lab, contributing to efforts that could shape future screening and risk assessment strategies in cardiovascular care.
The ZEUS study is a global clinical trial investigating whether ziltivekimab, a medication targeting inflammation, can reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events—such as heart attacks and strokes—in individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and elevated inflammation markers. The study focuses on patients with high levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation, to determine if reducing inflammation can lead to better heart health outcomes.
At our hospital, I contributed to this study by processing blood samples in our laboratory, ensuring their integrity for subsequent analyses. This experience underscored the critical role of precise laboratory work in advancing cardiovascular research.
The HORIZON study is a global Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating whether lowering elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]—a genetically inherited type of cholesterol—can reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. Lp(a) is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and traditional treatments like statins have little effect on its levels. The study investigates the efficacy of pelacarsen, an experimental drug designed to specifically target and reduce Lp(a) levels in individuals with established cardiovascular disease.
At our hospital, I supported this study by processing blood samples in our laboratory, ensuring their integrity for subsequent analyses. Contributing to this large-scale project highlighted the critical role of precise laboratory work in advancing cardiovascular research.
This study, led by Imperial College London, explored how adjusting pacemaker settings could alleviate symptoms in patients with Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy (HOCM)—a condition where thickened heart muscle obstructs blood flow, leading to breathlessness, chest pain, and fainting. Researchers investigated whether optimizing the timing and placement of right ventricular pacing could reduce this obstruction and improve patients' quality of life.
In my role as a Trial Facilitator, I was involved in setting up the study at our site, reviewing protocols and amendments, and ensuring smooth operation until its closure. It was rewarding to support research that could offer less invasive treatment options for HOCM patients.