Dr Hema Viswambharan

Profile

I joined LICAMM, University of Leeds in 2007. I obtained my PhD from University of Fribourg, Switzerland before taking up a postdoctoral position at LICAMM.

I am a graduate of the University of Malaya, Malaysia and trained in the field of Genetics and Microbiology. I undertook my doctoral and first postdoctoral research training in the labs of Prof Luscher (Zurich) and Prof Zhihong Yang (Fribourg), prior to my appointment as Research Fellow within the group of Prof Kearney.

I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and was elected Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC, 2008). I am also a member of the ESC Working Group on Atherosclerosis. I lead the sandwich-year placement undergraduate course, with participating universities and well as a placement provider for the Nuffield Research Foundation. I am a qualified and CMI-registered coach and mentor within the University-wide mentoring Scheme. 

Responsibilities

• Michael Beverley Innovation Fellow
• LICAMM Education Engagement and Widening Participation Lead
• Career Navigator Lead Coach (LICAMM)

Research interests

My main research interests are molecular mechanisms of insulin sensitivity in endothelial cells and the role of reactive oxygen species in mediating cardiovascular complications. I am extremely keen on public engagements involving my research on drug discovery and commercialisation; targeting school children at various levels, as well as the general public.

I am working together with the British Heart Foundation towards this aim, on a BHF-funded project and a Speaker Volunteer.

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons)
• MMedSci
• PhD
• FHEA
• CMI Level 5 Coach/Mentor

Professional memberships

• British Society for Cardiovascular Research
• European Society of Cardiology Professional Member
• European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Atherosclerosis
• Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education
• UKCGE-Recognised Research Supervisor

Student education

I am actively involved in teaching MBChB courses and am the Academic Personal Tutor for the Gateway to Medicine programme. I am the Module Lead on the BSc Healthcare Sciences course. I also provide summer school project/placement opportunities to MBChB undergraduate students, post-16 Secondary school students and Undergraduate Sandwich Year Programme with University of Huddersfield and Sheffield-Hallam. 

Research groups and institutes

• Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine