As part of touchCARDIO Future Leaders 2025, we welcome Dr Nadia Chaher, a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Biomedical Engineering at King’s College London. She earned her PhD from King’s College London in 2024, focusing on developing a collagen III-targeted MRI probe for molecular imaging of cardiac fibrosis.
Dr Chaher’s research centres on utilising imaging modalities to visualise and understand fibrosis development and treatment response in cardiovascular diseases, with a particular interest in molecular imaging applications in cardiology.
In addition to her research, Dr Chaher actively contributes to public engagement through events that connect researchers, students, and the wider community. Dr Chaher regularly presents her work at international conferences and was recently awarded the Young Investigator Award in Basic and Translational Sciences at the 2024 European Society of Cardiology Congress for her presentation on “Quantitative molecular imaging of cardiac fibrosis and response to treatment using a novel collagen III-specific MR imaging probe”.
In this Q&A, Dr Chaher shares her career journey through biomedical engineering to cardiovascular imaging, and her excitement for the future of molecular imaging and how current advancements may improve the landscape for cardiovascular imaging, diagnosis and treatment.
Q. What inspired you to pursue a career in biomedical engineering?
When I was choosing a career, I wanted one that brought together my interests in biology, chemistry and physics. That is when I discovered biomedical engineering, which integrates medicine, engineering and biology, offering a unique opportunity to develop technologies that directly impact healthcare. I was drawn to the idea of working in a field that is always evolving, tackling real medical challenges and improving patient care. The potential to create solutions that make a tangible difference to peoples’ lives is what truly excites me about biomedical engineering.
Q. Is there a specific patient, mentor or experience that has shaped your path in this field?
There was no single defining moment in my path; instead, it has been a collection of meaningful experiences, inspiring mentors and rewarding collaborations that have guided my choices. I completed my Master’s project in Orthopaedics at Lund University, focusing on biomaterials for bone regeneration, which gave me a solid foundation in how engineering connects with medicine.
During that time, I was intrigued by medical imaging and its applications in cardiology, and particularly how it can transform the diagnosis and treatment of heart and vessel diseases. That curiosity led me to a PhD at King’s College London, based in St Thomas hospital, focusing on cardiovascular imaging. Early detection of heart disease is crucial, as fibrosis, a key factor in many cardiovascular conditions, often progresses silently. My PhD addressed this need by developing an MRI [magnetic resonance imaging] probe to image collagen type III, an early player in fibrosis, with the potential to serve as a marker for the early detection of disease. Being part of collaborations that brought together experts across disciplines to create solutions with tangible clinical impact has been deeply inspiring and has further strengthened my passion for patient-centred research and highlighted the transformative role of teamwork in advancing molecular imaging techniques in cardiovascular care.
Q. What current innovations in cardio-imaging excite you the most?
One of the most exciting areas for me in cardio-imaging at the moment is the progress made in the use of molecular imaging to detect cardiovascular diseases at the molecular level. What sets molecular imaging apart is its ability to go beyond simply detecting structural changes—it offers valuable insight into the underlying disease processes within the heart and blood vessels.
Recent advancements in MRI, PET [positron emission tomography], and SPECT [single-photon emission computed tomography] technologies, such as high-resolution imaging, hybrid modalities, deep learning techniques and artificial intelligence have significantly enhanced the molecular detection of cardiovascular diseases by improving diagnostic accuracy and providing functional and anatomical insights. Additionally, researchers are identifying new molecular targets and developing next-generation imaging probes and therapeutics. This progress enables a more in depth understanding of disease biology, earlier detection, better monitoring of treatment efficacy and delivery of personalised healthcare. These tools have the potential to transform how we diagnose and manage cardiovascular diseases, which can ultimately lead to improved patient outcomes.
Citation: Nadia Chaher. 3 Questions with Dr Nadia Chaher: touchCARDIO Future Leader 2025. touchCARDIO. 4 April 2025.
Disclosures: This short article was prepared by touchCARDIO in collaboration with Dr Chaher. No fees or funding were associated with its publication.
touchCARDIO is celebrating the brightest rising stars in the cardiology community, who are set to shape the future of the field.
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