Manal Quraishi
Manal Quraishi is a third-year medical student at Dalhousie University. Manal’s research journey began during her undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto, where she had the opportunity to work in and learn from various basic science laboratories, from structural neurobiology to genomics to immunology. This experience also inspired her to do research at home, in Halifax, during the summers, where she received an NSERC USRA to study immune aging and COVID-19. Manal’s passion for research is grounded in the excitement of being able to ask and answer meaningful, interesting questions. Reflecting on when she joined Dalhousie Medical School, Manal shares that she “felt very well supported in exploring my interest in cardiology and cardiac research by conducting a project with Dr. Ratika Parkash”.
This project, titled “Representative Study Population Enrollment in Cardiovascular Clinical Trials (ReSPECT)”, investigates why there are disproportionately fewer female, rural and racialized participants in cardiovascular clinical research relative to the disease population. Preliminary research from this project has suggested a potential correlation between investigator sex and female enrollment in arrhythmia clinical trials. They are conducting a survey across multiple Canadian sites to further understand the factors influencing this disparity, as well as factors that predict participation in cardiac clinical trials.
When further discussing ReSPECT, Manal shares that she is “incredibly grateful to have received mentorship from an exceptional team, particularly Dr. Parkash, whose guidance has been invaluable.” As Manal works towards becoming a physician, and potentially a cardiologist, she finds the idea that this project could enhance her understanding of her patients’ values and needs very fulfilling. The potential for this work to improve how patients are enrolled into cardiac clinical research in order to generate data that better represents the patient population and, consequently, improve outcomes, is also exciting!
When we discussed the CANet CHAT community, Manal stated “The CANet CHAT community is a great network that promotes trainee development and is dedicated to innovation. Receiving a CHAT Travel Award allowed me to present my work at Heart Rhythm 2023. This was an amazing opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, and to learn from experts in cardiovascular medicine and research.”
During Manal’s time in medical school, she has also had the opportunity to work with the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) on a project to increase accessibility to healthcare for newcomers by encouraging more healthcare providers to deliver insured services to this community. Manal has also been able to volunteer with ISANS at their health clinics, mentioning that “the desire to improve access to care ties into why my current research has been so engaging for me. The interplay between access and clinical trial participation is an important element of this work”.
Outside of medical school, Manal enjoys reading, crafting, travelling, and spending time with family and friends. She also plays the drums in a band called The Vagal Tones!!
Publication highlight:
Recent awards:
- Cardiovascular Network of Canada CHAT Travel Award
- Maritime Health Centre Clinical Innovation Fund
- Canadian Heart Rhythm Society Travel Grant
- Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine C. E. Kinley Studentship