Women’s cardiovascular health researcher receives Top 30 Under 30 Award

PhD candidate Nabilah Gulamhusein has been awarded for making the world a more just, fair and sustainable place for all. 

Gulamhusein recently received a Top 30 Under 30 Award from the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation for her research and advocacy in the area of women’s cardiovascular health. 

“I feel grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to advancing women’s cardiovascular health,” says Gulamhusein. “I hope my work inspires the next generation of scientists to be inclusive and to consider inequities, not just for women, but for all populations.” 

The No. 1 cause of premature death for Canadian women is cardiovascular disease, with one woman dying every 16 minutes. Despite this, women are underrepresented in research, undertreated and underdiagnosed. 

Gulamhusein hopes to change that. Her PhD work focuses on the association between female specific events—including menopause, pregnancy and hysterectomy—and cardiovascular health. 

She is also the Trainee Lead in Calgary for Wear Red Canada, an annual national campaign that raises awareness about women’s cardiovascular health.

Gulamhusein’s interest in advocating for women’s heart health was piqued during the gap year she took after completing her undergraduate degree in biological sciences at the University of Calgary. 

“I was working in a pharmacy and the number of women who came in with uncontrolled blood pressure was shocking,” says Gulamhusein. She was determined to make a difference, which ultimately led her to pursue a graduate degree under the supervision of clinician-researcher Dr. Sofia Ahmed. 

Gulamhusein is still as determined to help women, and her long-term goal is to be a world leader in advancing women’s cardiovascular health. While research is important, she believes that advocacy, education and community engagement are equally important in improving health and well-being.

She gives the following advice to other young people.

“Follow your passions and do not under-estimate the impact you can have on the world.”