Amrita Ahluwalia

Professor Amrita Ahluwalia is a leading academic in cardiovascular pharmacology at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), holding roles as Dean for Research in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Director of the Barts Cardiovascular Clinical Trials Unit (CVCTU), and Lead of the Vascular Pharmacology Group. She holds a BSc from Bath University and a PhD from QMUL's William Harvey Research Institute (WHRI). Her research focuses on developing therapies targeting inflammation in cardiovascular diseases, particularly leveraging the nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway. Notable contributions include demonstrating beetroot juice’s blood pressure-lowering effects and pioneering clinical trials in cardiovascular medicine.

Her career includes leadership roles as Deputy Director and Director of the WHRI (2013–2020) and as the first female Editor-in-Chief of the British Journal of Pharmacology (2016–present). She advocates for gender equality in academia, founding the British Pharmacological Society’s first national mentoring scheme for women and leading initiatives like the Athena Swan Silver Award. Her awards include the GSK Prize in Clinical Pharmacology (2012) and the WISE 2015 Prize for Research.

Research interests span nitrate bioactivity, sex differences in cardiovascular health, and neurogenic inflammation. Her CVCTU oversees clinical trials in collaboration with Barts Health NHS Trust, emphasizing quality standards and grant-driven growth. Key publications address nitrate’s cardioprotective roles, sex-based inflammation differences, and TRPV1 channel mechanisms. She collaborates with institutions like St George’s Hospital and UCL, supported by funders such as the British Heart Foundation and Barts Charity.

Her work extends to translational research, including startups like Heartbeet Ltd, and she chairs international pharmacology committees. Recent studies explore nitrite’s anti-arrhythmic effects post-MI and the role of 20-HETE in TRPV1 activation. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges basic science, clinical trials, and policy advocacy.