MSc Graduate Student
Dr. Donna Vine’s Lab:
Project Title: Clinical Study: PCOS-Fish oil and Metformin (PCOS-FM) Therapy
Overall Objective: This project is to conduct a long-term trial to determine the effect of FO as an adjunct therapy to standard of care metformin on the progression of atherosclerotic CVD and the association with improvements in apoB-remnant cholesterol, and effects on cardiac and endothelial function in high-risk young women with PCOS. Our overall working hypothesis is that the addition of FO to standard of care treatment with metformin will reduce progression of atherosclerotic CVD and this will be associated with a reduction in apoB-remnant cholesterol, and improvements in cardiac-endothelial function in high-risk young women with PCOS. We will conduct a randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial in PCOS women aged 25-45yrs. We will measure the primary outcome of cIMT, secondary outcomes of apoB-remnant cholesterol and tertiary outcomes of cardiac and endothelial function at baseline and post-intervention following metformin treatment with or without high-dose FO for 12 months.
Initial requirements:
- Strong knowledge of physiology and biochemistry
- A 3.0 GPA or better
- Proactive, flexible, dedicated, well-centered, responsible
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Open to undertake scientific approaches, numerical analyses, data interpretation and writing up of findings, and publications
Other key assets:
- A teamwork aptitude ─ ability to work independently and with others
- Participant partner recruitment and empathy
- A desire to deliver, share and present results in public
- Computer skills
Annual stipend: CAD $25,000, with a total period of 24 months.
Other contact information:
Websites: pcos.together.ualberta.ca
Facebook: PCOS Together
X: @PcosTogether
Project website:
https://pcos.together.ualberta.ca/current-studies/fish-oil-metformin-therapy/