Trainee receives scholarship for diabetes research

Doctoral candidate Loryn Bohne has once again been recognized for her work in the area of diabetes research. For the second time in three years, she is the recipient of the Gerald L. Weber – Cosmopolitan International Club of Calgary Graduate Scholarship for Diabetes Research.

“I am pleased and honoured to have been selected for this scholarship, which will assist me in completing my studies at the Cumming School of Medicine,” says Bohne. “I appreciate the efforts this local group makes to tackle the growing problem of diabetes.”

Bohne’s research focuses on how diabetes can cause atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common type of heart rhythm disorder, which often causes the heart to beat rapidly leading to symptoms like fatigue, chest pain, light-headedness and dizziness. AF is also a major cause of stroke following blood clot formation in the heart.

According to Bohne, diabetes is one of the leading risk factors of AF, increasing the risk by up to 40 per cent, but scientists aren’t sure what is happening at the cellular level. 

However, working within the lab of her supervisor, Libin Cardiovascular Institute member Dr. Robert Rose, PhD, Bohne is studying how Type 2 diabetes impacts the heart’s electrical system at the cellular level.

Rose is pleased his student has been recognized with this scholarship.  

“Loryn is very deserving of this scholarship and we are very appreciative of the support. The studies Loryn is pursuing are important and will greatly enhance our understanding of how and why AF develops in the setting of diabetes. This is essential if we are to develop better treatment options for diabetic patients affected by AF”

Now in her fourth year of doctoral studies within the Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences within the Cumming School of Medicine, Bohne, 26, received her Bachelor of Science with Honours in biomedical physiology from Simon Fraser University.

Ever since she was in elementary school, Bohne’s dream was to become a physician, and that is still her goal. However, she has expanded her career plans to include research.

“My goal is to become a clinician-researcher,” she says. “I remember learning about the human body in Grade 4, and since then have wanted to be a doctor, but now I have become addicted to research as well.”

When she isn’t studying, Bohne enjoys staying active by running, hiking and boxing.