CV Science

Aline Meirhaeghe Epidemiologist and geneticist in age-related diseases

Course and current status

Academic Record

2006           Accreditation to supervise research. University of Lille 2, Lille, France.

2005           University degree in Biostatistics applied to Clinical research and Epidemiology. University of Medicine, Lille 2, France (continuing education).

1996-1999  PhD Genetic Epidemiology and Molecular Biology. University of Medicine, Lille 2, France. With distinction.

1996           Post-graduate diploma in Molecular Genetics of Development and Cancer Diseases. University of Paris V, France.

1995           Master’s degree Cellular Biology and Genetic. University of Paris VI, France.

1994           B.Sc Cellular Biology and Physiology. University of Paris VI, France.

Professional experiences

Since 2020: Leader of the team “Public health and molecular epidemiology of age-related diseases” in Inserm UMR 1167. 

October 2006

INSERM Senior Research Associate, INSERM Unit 1167, Institute Pasteur of Lille, Lille, France. Head of department: Pr. Philippe Amouyel.

Octobre 2002 - Septembre 2006

INSERM Junior Research Associate, INSERM Unit 744, Institute Pasteur of Lille, Lille, France. Head of department: Pr. Philippe Amouyel.

February – September 2002

Post-doctoral Research Fellow, INSERM Unit 508, Institute Pasteur of Lille, Lille, France. Head of department: Pr. Philippe Amouyel. Supervisor: Pr. Philippe Amouyel.

October 1999 – February 2002

Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Departments of Medicine and Clinical Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. Head of department: Pr. Stephen O’Rahilly. Supervisors: Pr. Stephen O’Rahilly and Dr. Antonio Vidal-Puig.

October 1996 - October 1999

PhD student, University of Medicine, Lille 2. INSERM Unit 508, Institute Pasteur of Lille, Lille, France. Head of department: Pr. Philippe Amouyel. Supervisor: Pr. Philippe Amouyel.

July 1995 - July 1996

Undergraduate Research Assistant, INSERM Unit 124, Institute of Cancer Research of Lille, Lille, France. Head of department: Pr. Jean-Pierre Kerckaert. Supervisor: Dr Dominique Leprince.

Scientific summary

Objectives of the team:

Our project is designed to generate knowledge about changes in cardiovascular disease trends 

(coronary heart disease and stroke) and to characterise their environmental and genetic 

determinants. 

Our work is based on the epidemiological logistics of two morbidity registries (ischemic heart 

disease and stroke), which work in close collaboration with other French registries and

other foreign centers dealing with the same topics. 

Several national and international studies (descriptive and analytical) have been

developed by the members of the group, including a very targeted project on 

eating behaviors and obesity, the aim of which is to identify the environmental and 

genetic determinants of eating behavior. 

The BRC-IPL provides logistical support for the deposit of biological samples 

for each of these projects.

The objectives are:

1. To understand the evolution of coronary heart disease and stroke in previous

years, in terms of classification of risk factors, care and prevention.

2. Identify the commonalities between cardiac risk, cerebrovascular risk and 

neurodegenerative risk.

3. Analyse the role of genetic and environmental determinants (effect of pollution)

 of the main risk factors for vascular disease through GWA studies, with particular emphasis 

on eating behavior and obesity.