On February 11, 2026, on the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the IHU ICAN is highlighting the careers of three young female researchers engaged in cardiometabolic research.
Through their work, they contribute every day to better understanding, preventing, and treating cardiometabolic diseases, which affect millions of people in France.
This day is also an opportunity to remind us that women’s participation in science is a major asset in diversifying profiles and approaches.
ICAN: Advancing cardiometabolic research through diversity of talent
A major public health issue
Cardiometabolic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, metabolic liver disease, and dyslipidemia, are now one of the leading public health challenges because they are responsible for serious cardiovascular diseases that can lead to hospitalization and death.
Serious chronic conditions, cardiometabolic diseases require:
- Innovative approaches, from prevention to care pathways
- Multidisciplinary research (biology, clinical, data, humanities)
- Greater consideration of gender differences in health
Our mission in the face of this epidemic
At IHU ICAN, our fight against cardiometabolic diseases is based on a strong conviction: scientific excellence requires diversity in backgrounds and profiles. The researchers in our scientific community are fully involved in:
- Basic research on the mechanisms of cardiometabolic diseases,
- Clinical and translational research,
- The development of new prevention and care pathways.
Women scientists play a key role in these advances, both through their expertise and their complementary perspectives. Highlighting their careers also shows that scientific careers in health are accessible, useful, and meaningful.
Focus on three young researchers from the ICAN Institute
Portrait No. 1 – Dounia FARHI
Exploring the impact of maternal obesity on children’s hearts
- Trained in biology and human physiology at the University of Paris-Est Créteil and then at Sorbonne University, Dounia Farhi developed a passion for the cardiovascular system at an early age.
- Since November 2023, she has been working on her thesis at IHU ICAN as part of the “Cellular and Molecular Plasticity in Cardiovascular Diseases” team within UMR 1166 (Team 3: Cellular and Molecular Plasticity in Cardiovascular Diseases) led by Dr. Elise Balse.
His research project
- Dounia is studying the consequences of maternal obesity on postnatal cardiac development.
- While obesity during pregnancy is a growing public health issue, its early effects on children’s hearts remain poorly understood.
- His work aims to identify the biological mechanisms and biomarkers associated with cardiac abnormalities, in order to better prevent cardiovascular disease from an early age.
Portrait No. 2 – Canelle REYDELLET
Understanding the cellular mechanisms of obesity
- With a bachelor’s degree in life sciences and a master’s degree in nutrition and food science, Canelle Reydellet specializes in research on cardiometabolic diseases.
- She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the IHU ICAN within UMR 1166 (Team “Cellular and Systemic Lipid Metabolism in Cardiometabolic Diseases”), led by Wilfried Le Goff.
His research project
Portrait No. 3 – Laëtitia RIALLAND PINTO
Better diagnosis of cardiomyopathies thanks to genetics
- After beginning her studies in medicine at the University of Nantes, Laëtitia Rialland Pinto discovered research thanks to the Inserm Liliane Bettencourt School.
- She then went on to complete a master’s degree and a thesis in cardiogenetics and joined the IHU ICAN within UMR1166 (Genomics and Physiopathology of Cardiovascular Diseases team), led by Prof. Philippe Charron.
Why encourage girls to pursue careers in health research?
Health research needs female talent to innovate sustainably.
In celebrating this day, IHU ICAN reaffirms its commitment to gender equality in scientific research, promoting women’s careers in health, and inspiring future generations of female researchers.
Because advancing cardiometabolic research also means giving women their rightful place in science!
