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Dr. Yasina Somani

Dr. Yasina Somani

  • Position: Lecturer in Exercise Physiology
  • Areas of expertise: cardiovascular health; vascular ageing; endothelial function; sex differences; lifestyle intervention
  • Email: Y.Somani@leeds.ac.uk
  • Location: 7.52a Garstang
  • Website: Twitter | Googlescholar | Researchgate

Profile

Pursuing a Masters of Human Kinetics at the University of Windsor in Canada was driven by my interest in understanding the link between high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. I studied the blood pressure-lowering effects of isometric resistance training.

Continuing down the academic path with a PhD at Penn State University allowed me to gain greater mechanistic insight into vascular function. I learned techniques to assess vascular function in vivo using Doppler ultrasound and near infrared spectroscopy and investigated a dietary strategy to restore vascular health in groups exhibiting high risk for cardiovascular disease development (adolescents with hypertension, postmenopausal women, and peripheral artery disease patients).

After my PhD I was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to investigate exercise preconditioning, the concept that single to short-term exercise can provide immediate cardiovascular protection. I conducted this research in both the Netherlands (Radboud UMC) and Liverpool (Liverpool John Moores University). In June 2023 I began my role as Lecturer at the University of Leeds. 

Research interests

My overall aim in research is to better understand the mechanisms of cardiovascular regulation and the effects of lifestyle interventions, including both novel exercise and nutritional strategies, to reduce age- and disease-associated increases in morbidity and mortality.

<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Any research projects I'm currently working on will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://biologicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>

Qualifications

  • PhD in Kinesiology, Penn State University, US
  • Masters in Human Kinetics, University of Windsor, Canada
  • BSc in Human Kinetics, University of Guelph, Canada

Research groups and institutes

  • Cardiovascular
<h4>Postgraduate research opportunities</h4> <p>We welcome enquiries from motivated and qualified applicants from all around the world who are interested in PhD study. Our <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk">research opportunities</a> allow you to search for projects and scholarships.</p>