2011 EDITION

Mais
Absi
SYRIA
Molecular endocrinology
HOST INSTITUTION:
Faculty of Life Sciences,
University of Manchester, UK
A recent study on the relationship between vitamin D3
and breast cancer was conclusive: a high level of vitamin
D3 was linked to a significant reduction in the risk
of breast cancer in women in the 40 to 65 age group.
Vitamin D is not only vital for bone health by ensuring
sufficient absorption of calcium in the intestines, it also
helps reduce the incidence of certain diseases such as
type 1 diabetes and the cardiovascular complications of
chronic kidney disease. Although vitamin D is the only
vitamin that can be synthesized by the human body
through exposure to UV-B rays from sunlight, vitamin D
deficiency remains a serious public health problem even
in countries with high levels of sunlight.
With a PhD in pharmacology from the University of
Manchester, Mais Absi, 34, is a lecturer in molecular
pharmacology. She is also the head of the Pharmacology
and Toxicology Department and the Epidemiology
Research Unit at the University of Aleppo in Syria.
Returning to the University of Manchester with her
research fellowship, Mais plans to study the effect of
Vitamin D3 deficiency on human health, which is often
associated with such diseases as rickets and osteo-
porosis. After studying the effects of
the vitamin on the smooth muscle cells
that surround blood vessels, she plans
to conduct an epidemiological study in
Northern Syria to establish a possible
link between vitamin D3 deficiency and
the rise of cardiovascular disease in the
country.
In addition to major public health implications,
the data collected during this
project will allow international data comparisons
and should influence Syrian
policy on the importance of vitamin D3.
A committed and passionate teacher,
Mais Absi would like to strengthen international
collaboration on research in
Syria, promote the transfer of knowledge
and serve as a role model for women
researchers in her country.
“In the 21st century,
women are just as involved
as men in all fields,
and science should not be
an exception. Women have
become irreplaceable
in terms of economics,
education and politics in
almost every country.”