Karim Saadé
Ph.D. Student

Department of Biomedical Engineering

Email: karim.saade@mail.mcgill.ca

LinkedIn

Educational Background:

BASc Biomedical Mechanical Engineering and BSc Computing Technology - University of Ottawa

MASc Mechanical Engineering - University of Ottawa

Favourite Lab Equipment:

Pipette Tips

Research Project and Interests:

My research focuses on understanding the pathophysiology of preeclampsia (PE), a severe cardiovascular disorder during pregnancy that affects millions globally, contributing significantly to maternal and perinatal mortality. I am particularly interested in the role of the endothelial glycocalyx (eGC), a critical yet underexplored structure in vascular health, and its potential impact on spiral artery remodeling and trophoblast invasion. My projects involve developing physiologically relevant microfluidic models, or Organ-on-a-Chip (OOC) to simulate the vascular environment and study the effects of shear stress and eGC integrity on endothelial-trophoblast interactions. By investigating how eGC dysfunction might bridge the maternal cardiovascular and placental hypotheses of PE, my research aims to uncover new biomarkers and therapeutic targets, ultimately advancing early detection and treatment strategies for this life-threatening condition.