Research Junction Connecting Faculty Across Campus

1. What is your educational background?

Ph.D. and MPH in epidemiology in 2011 and 2006, respectively, from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health

2. Where is your hometown?

Pittsburgh, PA

3. Why did you choose MUSC?

I came to MUSC for a postdoctoral fellowship opportunity in the Department of Neurosciences

4. What are your current research interests and how did you become interested in this field?

My current research interests include pre-eclampsia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), lupus, and stroke. I have always had an interest in women’s health and more recently became interested in maternal and child health. Through my K01 award, I am obtaining further training and research experience in perinatal epidemiology, specifically long-term maternal cardiovascular outcomes and poor birth and long-term offspring outcomes in pre-eclampsia with a focus on health disparities. My interest in the fields of ALS and stroke stems from my dissertation work and postdoctoral work, respectively, related primarily to the investigation of risk factors. Interest in lupus epidemiology and genetics began more recently through a newly-developed, multidisciplinary collaboration with colleagues at MUSC.

5. What has been your biggest scientific contribution to date?

To date, my biggest scientific contribution relates to current work on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) including pre-eclampsia and maternal cardiovascular outcomes in South Carolina. Our manuscript focused on the relationship between HDP and pre-pregnancy hypertension with incident coronary heart disease, incident stroke, and all-cause mortality within five years of delivery and comparison of racial/ethnic differences was recently accepted for publication.

6. Is there a scientific area/field you would like to know more about?

Other cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease and cerebral aneurysm.

7. Would you like to connect with colleagues within a certain field? If so, what field/area?

Yes, I would very much like to connect with colleagues in the aforementioned fields, especially maternal and child health. Collaborations in new areas are also welcomed.

8. What are some of your hobbies? What do you do for fun?

Some of my hobbies are cooking, running/walking, reading, and gardening. For fun, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, music, theater, traveling, and outdoor activities.

9. Who would play you in a movie about your life?

In a movie about my life, Keira Knightley would play me.

10. What’s the best advice you were ever given?

Schedule time for writing each day to continue to improve grant and manuscript writing skills.

Make a Connection

Drop Dr. Angela Malek an email at malek@musc.edu