Mary Rezk-Hanna

Dr. Mary Rezk-Hanna is an Assistant Professor at the UCLA School of Nursing, specializing in vascular physiology and cardiovascular health impacts of tobacco products. Her work focuses on hookah/waterpipe smoking, e-hookah vaping, and regulatory policy to curb tobacco-related harm. She has contributed to American Heart Association (AHA) scientific statements on tobacco products and cardiovascular disease.

Education:

• BSN, George Mason University (2008)
• MSN (FNP-C), UCLA (2011)
• PhD, UCLA (2016)

Research Interests: Dr. Rezk-Hanna investigates mechanisms linking tobacco use to cardiovascular dysfunction, emphasizing policy-driven solutions. Her work highlights nicotine delivery systems, smoking behavior, and public health implications of flavored tobacco products. She has published on topics including e-cigarette toxicity, charcoal combustion effects in hookah, and FDA regulatory strategies.

Key Contributions: Her recent studies compare vascular impacts of pod-based e-cigarettes vs. combustible cigarettes, and evaluate ascorbic acid’s role in mitigating e-hookah-induced endothelial dysfunction. She has also analyzed longitudinal trends in hookah use among LGBTQ+ populations.

Awards:

• 2024 Fiat Lux Chancellor’s Award (UCLA)
• 2022 Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing
• 2020 Hellman Fellow Award
• 2019 Research Article of the Year (AHA)

Grants & Policy: As a Hellman Fellow and AHA-funded researcher, her work bridges clinical data with policy advocacy. She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to advance evidence-based tobacco control measures, particularly targeting youth and marginalized communities.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with UCLA’s cardiovascular physiology labs and AHA committees on emerging tobacco products. Active in nursing practice through her board certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner.