Polycystic ovary syndrome: mechanisms and treatments for cardiovascular risk

Grad Student Position Details

Project Title

Polycystic ovary syndrome: mechanisms and treatments for cardiovascular risk

Degree Program
MSc

Supervisor
Donna Vine

Professorial Rank
Professor

Department
Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science

Project Start Date
Fall 2025 or Winter 2026

Project Description:

The overall objective of this project is to conduct a long-term trial to determine the effect of FO as an adjunct therapy to standard of care metformin on the progression of atherosclerotic CVD and the association with improvements in apoB-remnant cholesterol, and effects on cardiac and endothelial function in high-risk young women with PCOS. Our overall working hypothesis is that the addition of FO to standard of care treatment with metformin will reduce progression of atherosclerotic CVD and this will be associated with a reduction in apoB-remnant cholesterol, and improvements in cardiac-endothelial function in high-risk young women with PCOS. We will conduct a randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial in PCOS women aged 25-45yrs. We will measure the primary outcome of cIMT, secondary outcomes of apoB-remnant cholesterol and tertiary outcomes of cardiac and endothelial function at baseline and post-intervention following metformin treatment with or without high-dose FO for 12 months.

Initial requirements:

  • Strong knowledge of physiology and biochemistry
  • A 3.0 GPA or better
  • Proactive, flexible, dedicated, well-centered, responsible
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • Open to undertake scientific approaches, numerical analyses, data interpretation and writing up of findings, and publications

Other key assets: 

  • A teamwork aptitude ─ ability to work independently and with others
  • Participant partner recruitment and empathy
  • A desire to deliver, share and present results in public
  • Computer skills

Annual stipend: CAD $25,000, with a total period of 24 months.

Additional Information:

University of Alberta is consistently rated as one of the top 4 universities in Canada, and one of the top 100 universities worldwide. Located in Alberta’s capital city, Edmonton (population of one million people), University of Alberta provides a dynamic mixture of a large research intensive university, urban culture and recreation. More than 46,000 students (including 8,400 graduate students) from across Canada and 144 other countries participate in nearly 400 programs and 18 faculties.

Keywords
polycystic ovarian syndrome, nutrition, metabolism, cardiovascular, diabetes

Contact Email
Please e-mail transcripts (scanned unofficial copy) and CV to Dr. Donna Vine, dvine@ualberta.ca

Other contact information
Websites:  mcvd.ualberta.ca & pcos.together.ualberta.ca
Facebook: PCOS Together
X:  @PcosTogether

Project Website
https://pcos.together.ualberta.ca/current-studies/fish-oil-metformin-therapy/

Stipend Amount/year
$ 25,000.00