The newest cohort of BRN Faculty Fellows, administered by the Black Research Network at U of T, was announced on January 20, 2025. Among the cohort is IHPME faculty Dr. Husam Abdel-Qadir.
By: Marielle Boutin
Established in 2023, the BRN Faculty Fellowship was launched to provide research support faculty at U of T. Fellows are awarded $10,000 over the course of one year to engage in research and knowledge sharing across the BRN network both locally and internationally.
Dr. Abdel-Qadir, a practicing cardiologist at Women’s College Hospital and the University Health Network (UHN), as well as a Canada Research Chair in Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Outcomes, is grateful for the support to be able to advance his research on lipoprotein(a). A type of molecule in the blood that can increase the risk of heart disease, lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is highly prevalent among Black populations.
Many questions remain unanswered about the marker and its behaviour, including why levels are so elevated in Black people, postmenopausal women and how it might influence the risk of heart disease in cancer survivors. He hopes this funding will provide the support needed to explore these critical questions.
Dr. Abdel-Qadir became interested in cardio-oncology as a medical trainee. He realized that current models of cardiovascular care did not apply to all patients, particularly those with non-cardiovascular diseases such as breast cancer, as cancer treatment can increase the predisposition of heart failure.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading non-cancer cause of death among breast cancer survivors in Canada. Throughout his career, Dr. Abdel-Qadir has shifted his focus from abating the harm done to the cardiovascular system to understanding that optimal cancer treatment is often what is most critical.
“It is sometimes in the patient’s best interest to accept a treatment which comes with a risk of manageable cardiac issues to maximize the likelihood of getting cured from cancer,” says Dr. Abdel-Qadir.
The announcement of the fellowship comes just before Black History Month, which Dr. Abdel-Qadir considers impactful, not just in terms of celebrating Black-led research, but also ensuring the long-term sustainability of this research from an equitable lens.
“The timing is particularly poignant, as the focus shifts from only celebrating Black history and putting more emphasis on Black futures. I see the BRN as being one of the vehicles that promotes innovation within the Black community which contributes to the benefit of Canadian society at large.”
He also sees this as a sort of call-to-action and hopes it will encourage others to recognize the value and rich presence of Black-led research on campus and across the country.
“I see myself as one of many people contributing to a chorus of achievements within the BRN. I hope this prompts people to consider how much untapped potential there is within our communities, and how it is in our best interest as Canadians to make sure that we consider how we can do better to ensure it is cultivated to maximize the potential return.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Abdel-Qadir is emboldened by the possibilities this opportunity presents and sees himself as another step closer to reaching his goal of ensuring that heart health never compromises access to the best possible cancer treatment.
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Communications
Marielle Boutin
Email Address: ihpme.communications@utoronto.ca