Heart research PhD researcher wins regional science prize

Issued by University of Leicester Press Office on 28 June 2012

A postgraduate researcher investigating how a squeeze of the arm can strengthen the heart during heart attacks has won a regional award for his work.

Research by Dr Andrew Vanezis has won the EMESP Prize, making it the second year in a row that a researcher from the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences has received this distinction.

Andrew, who is supervised by Dr Glenn Rodrigo and Professor Nilesh Samani, beat off a strong field of postgraduates from other East Midlands universities to win the prize for his work into how temporarily blocking blood flow can actually help the heart become more resistant to damage caused during heart attacks.

EMESP is East Midlands Engineering and Science Professionals, the body which represents the engineering and science professions in the region to local and regional government, the public, the media, and potential members of the profession including young people and others in education. Each year EMESP presents an award - £500 and an engraved tankard – to a postgraduate researcher in one of the East Midlands’ universities.

Dr Vanezis said, "I was both surprised and honoured to have my research recognised in this way. The quality of the presentations on the day was very strong; ultimately I think the judges were impressed with the translational nature of my research and the potential of remote ischaemic conditioning to become an important clinical tool in the fight against heart failure post heart attack".

In 2011 the EMESP Prize was awarded to Will Nicholson who developed an electrical ‘LifeMap’ which can warn of the risk of sudden cardiac death.

A full report on Andrew’s research is on the University’s Graduate School website.

Notes to editors:

For more information, please contact Dr Andrew Vanezis on 0116 2502650 or apv4@leicester.ac.uk.