KUALA LUMPUR – After a year at Harvard University researching cardiovascular health, UCSI University Doctor of Medicine student Yashini Qrisha has returned with new insights and a renewed passion to advance heart disease research in Malaysia.

Selected by Harvard under UCSI’s Star Trek Programme, the 23-year-old completed a research attachment at Harvard Medical School under Prof Gordon Williams, studying how different levels of aldosterone contribute to heart and kidney injury.

Her project also explored how aldosterone functions differently in men and women, uncovering hormonal and gender-related differences that could pave the way for more tailored treatment approaches.

“I worked with animal models to study how aldosterone affects cardio-renal health,” she said. “It was eye-opening to see how hormonal changes influence organ systems at both the experimental and physiological levels.”

Proud to have represented UCSI and Malaysia at Harvard, Yashini described the experience as transformative.

“Being at Harvard completely changed how I view medicine,” she reflected. “For the first time, I could connect what we learn in medical school to the molecular and cellular processes behind disease. It deepened my appreciation for research.”

Her exposure in the United States also highlighted how genetic and hormonal variations may contribute to higher rates of heart disease among Asian populations, inspiring her to champion more localised research.

“There’s so much potential to bridge global discoveries with our diverse communities here,” she said. “I hope to help reduce the growing burden of cardiovascular disease.”

While her team’s findings are pending publication, Yashini is co-authoring a review paper on LSD1 (lysine-specific demethylase 1) and its role in cardiovascular, metabolic and cancer-related diseases, with plans to publish next year.

She credits UCSI for equipping her to thrive in Harvard’s demanding research environment.

“UCSI gave me a strong scientific foundation and the confidence to adapt quickly,” she said. “That grounding helped me perform well and understand the purpose behind every experiment.”

Looking ahead, Yashini hopes to pursue a career that bridges clinical practice and research, particularly in endocrinology and cardio-renal medicine.

Outside of medicine, she enjoys playing the piano, a passion she has had since age three and reading fantasy novels, hobbies that help her unwind from the demands of medical school and research.

Ranked in the world’s top 1% in the QS World University Rankings 2026 by virtue of its top 269 ranking, UCSI stands out as one of Asia’s top private universities.