Testimonial: From Research to International Recognition

Supported by GERCA, Walaa Fakih completed her PhD on atrial fibrillation in Strasbourg, achieved significant advancements, and presented her findings at international scientific conferences.

This is Walaa Fakih, I came from Lebanon to the University of Strasbourg to pursue my doctoral studies. I joined the team of Pr. Valerie Schini-Kerth and was supervised by Pr. Laurence Jesel. My doctoral study was supported by GERCA for three years.

I successfully defended my PhD on the 17th of November 2022 and later I was enrolled in postdoctoral position with the team at the Translational CardioVascular Medicine research unit in Strasbourg.

My topic was related to atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac arrhythmia, which until today is still associated with high rate of morbidity and mortality. We studied atrial remodeling using an original primary cell model and human atrial tissues. We investigated several pathways leading to endothelial senescence and dysfunction, pro-thrombotic, pro-fibrotic and pro-remodeling responses in human atrial tissue and we studied novel drug targets to prevent left atrial remodeling and limit atrial cardiomyopathy progression that pave the way for AF.

During my research career, I was supported by GERCA to attend several International scientific meetings. I presented my findings as oral and poster presentations at the Heart Failure Association congress (Madrid-2022 and Lisbon-2024) and the European Society of Cardiology congress (Online-2021, Barcelona-2022, Amsterdam-2023 and London-2024). I authored and co-authored several scientific papers published in peer-reviewed journals of high impact in the field cardiovascular research.

Finally, I thank all the organizers and contributors of the Association for the support that allowed my obtain my PhD and get high level scientific exchange.

Walaa Fakih
Postdoctoral Fellow