After years of unwavering dedication, Anna Karapetyan has seen her vision come to fruition - a triumph of perseverance and passion. She leads a dynamic team of three brilliant female scholars, united in their pursuit of understanding the enduring impact of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular health of Armenia's populace. Their groundbreaking study, "The Long-term Effects of COVID-19 on the Cardiovascular System within the Armenian Population," has recently received the prestigious Dr. Aram Chobanian Award from FAR’s Yervant Terzian Armenian National Science and Education Fund (ANSEF).
"We aim to explore the lingering effects of COVID-19 on the bloodstream and devise appropriate interventions for healing," explains Anna, 49, who also serves as the Head of the Department of Human and Animal Physiology at the Faculty of Biology, Yerevan State University.
Having applied for ANSEF grants over ten years, this year, Anna has finally secured her inaugural grant as team lead and her second overall as an ANSEF recipient.
“For scholars like us, ANSEF provides a trusted platform to not only delve into research intricacies but also to disseminate our findings globally," Anna emphasizes. "Our current focus on the cardiovascular aftermath of the pandemic builds upon our prior research, which aimed to understand the prevalence of mycoses in the Armenian population during the pandemic through blood tests and nasal mucosa samples."
As the specter of Long-COVID looms large, their scientific inquiry has shifted to investigate the enduring cardiovascular repercussions of the virus. Tamara, 39, the junior researcher, gathers samples for analysis, while Ruzanna, 26, the youngest member of the team delves into scientific literature. Meanwhile, the other Anna, 45, synthesizes data and compiles statistical results, orchestrating their collective effort.
"We've expanded our scope to include heart indicators alongside blood analysis," Tamara explains. "By categorizing COVID-19 patients based on severity and vaccination status, we aim to comprehensively understand the spectrum of cardiovascular implications."
"ANSEF grant is a lifeline for our research. It equips us with the necessary resources to conduct our research rigorously and serves as a powerful motivator for our team," notes Anna proudly acknowledging ANSEF’s pivotal role.
Your support to brilliant scholars like Anna and her team can make all the difference. By donating to FAR today, you'll not just fund a study, but will also be investing in the future of health, knowledge, and progress.