Advances in cardiovascular sciences to be discussed at University of Leicester

Advances in Cardiovascular Sciences are to be showcased in two public lectures at the University of Leicester.

Two outstanding PhD graduates of the College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology will discuss their research between 5.30pm and 6.45pm at The Frank and Katherine May Lecture Theatre in the Henry Wellcome Building on Wednesday 27 November 2013.

Dr Emmanouil Katsogridakis will present his doctoral research into cerebral bloodflow, 'New Ways of assessing blood flow in the brain'. He will examine the reasons the control of blood flow to the brain is affected in so many common clinical conditions, such as stroke, brain injury and carotid artery stenosis.

His research led to the development of a protocol to assess cerebral blood flow by the bedside, and the introduction of indices that provide an accurate estimate of how well cerebral blood flow is regulated, with high temporal resolution.

Dr Katsogridakis, who joined Department of Cardiovascular Studies at the University of Leicester in 2009, worked under the supervision of Professor Ronney Panerai.

Professor Panerai said: "Dr Katsogridakis's achievements are especially impressive when we consider his ability to handle complex mathematical concepts and computer programming without a formal training in these areas given that his first degree was in Medicine."

Dr Emma Wilmot, following on, will discuss 'The emerging epidemic of Type 2 diabetes in younger adults'. Her research addresses a startling trend with far-reaching implications both for individuals and society: a substantial increase in the number of younger adults developing Type 2 diabetes millitus (T2DM).

Her lecture will explore the relationship of sedentary behaviour and diabetes, presenting the findings from her internationally acclaimed meta-analysis—which linked excess sitting with a markedly increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and death.

Dr Wilmot completed her PhD "Type 2 diabetes in younger adults" at the University of Leicester, under the supervision of Professor Melanie Davies and Professor Kamlesh Khunti of the Diabetes Research Centre.

Professor Davies said: "Dr Wilmot's lecture based on the work for her PhD thesis is in an incredibly important area of the rapid increase in the numbers of people at high risk of and developing type 2 diabetes.

"She describes, in some detail, original work on early cardiovascular changes in these younger people with type 2 diabetes. Her work has generated a lot of interest in the field and has led to some high impact publications. I am very proud to have been her supervisor- she has worked extremely hard to complete this impressive piece of work."

Professor Dave Lambert, Director Post-Graduate Research for College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology who was involved in the selection panel said: "These are competitive and highly prestigious awards that showcase the breadth of scientific enquiry in our college. The students are to be congratulated on the quality of their work and I look forward to hearing them speak."

The Graduate School's Doctoral Inaugural Lectures showcase the most innovative and exciting research, putting the University's most academically excellent and engaging research students in the spotlight.

They have been a tremendous success and are in their sixth series as of 2013.

The lectures will take place between 5.30pm and 6.45pm on Wednesday 27 November 2013, in the The Frank and Katherine May Lecture Theatre in the Henry Wellcome Building.

Source: University of Leicester.