Biography

Pr. Mirna N. CHAHINE
Mirna Chahine is a full-time Professor of Cardiovascular Physiology at the University Of Balamand, Faculty of Arts & Sciences, Department of Biology.

Lebanese University, Faculty of Medical Sciences: 2012- 2023 (August 27th):
- Former Professor of Cardiovascular Physiology
- Former Head of the Basic Sciences Department
- Former President of the Thesis Committee -Former President of the International Relations Program.

She obtained her PhD in 2006 in Cell Biology on Hereditary Cardiomyopathy from Sherbrook University, Canada, then she completed her post-doctorate training in Canada (Winnipeg, MB)and the UK (London) from 2006 to 2012 on nuclear protein import in Cardiovascular diseases. She also obtained a diploma in Higher Education Teaching from Canada in 2009.

Presently her research field is about:
1. Gender Differences at the level of Telomere length in Human health (Aging) and cardio-metabolic diseases,
2. Rehabibilation program in patients with neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson, Alzheimer, Multiple sclerosis).
3. The effect of Leishmania major infection on atherogenesis and cytokine responses in resistant and susceptible mice (collaboration with the University of Balamand).
4. Gender Differences at the level of CVD Symptoms, CVD pattern, Chest pain origin, CVD treatments, and Cancer.
5. Epidemiological studies (Cigarettes smoking & Vaping prevalence/ Tobacco cessation campaigns/ Interventional studies for Hypertension, Diabetes, Breast cancer, uterine cancer, feminine hygiene/ CVD & Hypertension management by Lebanese physicians, COVID-19 awareness in the general population / Pregnant women/ Patients with Chronic disease)/ School Health Campaigns
6. Congenital abnormalities
7. Drug-drug interactions (CV drugs and anti-depressants)
8. Projects for Accreditation of the faculty (Research performance/Assessments/ syllabi, Docimology, Transition to clinical settings).
9. Validation of blood pressure measurement devices on the Lebanese population according to international guidelines (European, American, British);

- FELLOWSHIPS: from Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada (2005, 2007) and the Newton International Fellowship from the British Royal Society (2009);
-GRANTS: “British Heart Foundation” Project Grant (Imperial College, London) (2012); National Council for Scientific Research project Grant (Beirut, Lebanon) (2015); Wael Al-Mahmeed & IAS Research Training Grants and Fellowships for the MENA Region: 1st place research award (2019); Balamand Internal Research Grant, Lebanon (11/ 2024).
-PRICES AND AWARDS: Young Investigator Award from the International Society for Heart Research (2008); Award for Best Paper in Cardiovascular Sciences (2010).