Junior Research Chair on Physical Activity and Women’s Health

The PARCC is proud to announce that Morgane Le Bourvellec has been named the recipient of the Junior Research Chair “Physical Activity, Sports, and Women’s Health”, awarded by the Women’s Health Institute (iWISH) at Université Paris Cité.

Supported by the ExcellenceS initiative with a total funding of €360,000 over 3 years, this grant will back her groundbreaking research project: MENOPAUSE-ACTIVE (Early prevention of vascular aging in peri– and postmenopausal women through physical activity and sedentary time reduction).

Key Highlights of the MENOPAUSE-ACTIVE Project

The research program focuses on evaluating how physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior influence vascular health during key menopausal transition phases:

• 3-Pillar Scientific Approach: Combining observational studies, interventional trials, and a dual physiological and psychosocial approach.
• Collaborative Environment: Developed within PARCC’s “Integrative Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases” team alongside Dr. Jean-Philippe Empana, in close collaboration with Prof. Rosa Maria Bruno (“Arterial Health and Disease in Women” team).

Academic Excellence & Expertise

Holding a PhD in Sport Sciences from the University of Poitiers and trained as a physical therapist, Dr. Le Bourvellec specializes in physical activity interventions for cardiovascular and neurocognitive risk prevention in menopausal women.

Her doctoral work was recently recognized with two thesis awards:

• University PhD Thesis Award (Basic Science) – Granted by the Groupe de Réflexion sur la Recherche Cardiovasculaire (GRRC) and the French Society of Cardiology (Société Française de Cardiologie).
• “Sciences & Physical Therapy” Award – Granted by the National Council of the Order of Physical Therapists (Conseil National de l’Ordre des Masseurs-Kinésithérapeutes).

Congratulations to Morgane Le Bourvellec on this achievement and her commitment to advancing women’s cardiovascular health!