Cardiovascular
Sex Hormones and Cardiovascular Disease in Postmenopausal Women - also offered as MBiomedSc
Supervisors: A/Professor Cassandra Szoeke
Project Site: Healthy Ageing Program, Centre for Medical Research, Royal Melbourne Hospital
Contact: A/Professor Cassandra Szoeke E: cszoeke@unimelb.edu.au T: 8344 1835
Project description: Cardiovascular disease is currently the leading cause of death in Australia, and around the world. Post-menopausal women are particularly at risk of developing cardiovascular disease, thought to be due to the change of circulating sex hormone levels such as estradiol. However results are conflicting with latest evidence indicating the time of exposure is most relevant. This study aims to test the association of these sex hormones with cardiovascular disease risk over 20 years from pre-menopause to post-menopause, to determine whether sex hormone levels play a significant part in cardiovascular health.
You will also have the opportunity to work with a large database from an internationally recognised cohort that spans over 20 years. This project will provide opportunity for publication and to work directly with participants. Candidates who are interested in endocrinology, as well as industry relationships, would be suited to this project.
Lipoproteins and Cardiovascular Risk from Mid-to-Late-Life in Women - also offered as MBiomedSc
Supervisors: A/Professor Cassandra Szoeke
Project Site: Healthy Ageing Program, Centre for Medical Research, Royal Melbourne Hospital
Contact: A/Professor Cassandra Szoeke E: cszoeke@unimelb.edu.au T: 8344 1835
Project description: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains as the number 1 cause of death worldwide and in Australia. Though elderly women have higher rates of cardiovascular disease compared to men, there is a lack of awareness and research of CVD amongst women. Whilst cholesterol is targeted lipid medication, we now know that statins do not have the benefit in women that was seen in men (Virani, 2013). In this study we explore the broader lipid profile and other lipid measurements and their relation to cardiovascular risk as measured by a risk score (non-lipid based Framingham 10-year CVD risk score). This study seeks to evaluate the relationship between all lipoproteins and cardiovascular risk as characterised by a risk score, in an Australian cohort of older women across 20 years.
This project will provide the opportunity to work with a rich database with data that spans over 20 years, as well as having participant contact and clinical skills experience. This project would suit a candidate who is interested in cardiovascular disease. There is also opportunity for publication.
The Relationship of Physical Activity, Body Composition and Cardiovascular Risks in Older Women - also offered as MBiomedSc
Supervisors: A/Professor Cassandra Szoeke
Project Site: Healthy Ageing Program, Centre for Medical Research, Royal Melbourne Hospital
Contact: A/Professor Cassandra Szoeke E: cszoeke@unimelb.edu.au T: 8344 1835
Project description: Physical inactivity and high BMI are major risk factors impacting cardiovascular diseases, particularly in women. There is a paucity in longitudinal research into the interactions between exercise and BMI that could lead to high cardiovascular risks (CVRs) in women. The aims of this study are to investigate the impact of exercise exposures on BMI and CVR, and to examine the causality between these factors in aged Australian women.
Major benefits from this study are:‐
The study has data over 20 years already collected
You will work directly with participants, giving clinical skills experience
There is opportunity for a publication