UPWr PhD student with a heart for dogs

• The UPWr Doctoral School student researches the most common heart disease in dogs, namely degenerative mitral valve disease leading to left ventricular heart failure

Justyn first started thinking about a PhD about halfway through his studies – in his third year. – Back then I already knew that I wanted to educate myself and develop a career in the field of veterinary cardiology. During my studies, we had the opportunity to take part in the "life" of the cardiology department at the Faculty of Internal Medicine – both on the clinical and scientific side – says Justyn Gach, a PhD student at the UPWr Doctoral School. He carries out his work under the supervision of Prof. Agnieszka Noszczyk-Nowak, under whose wings he took his first steps in the field of science, and assistant supervisor Dr. Izabela Janus from the Department of Pathology.

– The idea of writing a doctoral thesis arose naturally over time, followed by a plan for the PhD itself, and eventually I wrote a project for an NCN grant. In June 2021 I received a phone call from Prof. Noszczyk-Nowak informing me that we had made it! We got the grant for over half a million zlotys! Four months later, I started my first day as a PhD student at the UPWr Doctoral School – says Justyn.

Justyn Gach met his supervisors during his studies, so he's been working with them on a scientific level for several years now. – When I started my doctoral studies, I knew very well with whom I was about to work. I know exactly what to expect from my mentors and they also know what I am capable of. In addition, I already had a pilot study done for my research, which made it much easier for me to start working on my thesis. I can’t imagine a scenario in which I start a new project – and PhD studies are quite a sizable project – with a person I hardly know – says the doctoral student.

– Justyn is a very ambitious young scientist, posing research problems derived from real clinical situations. He is very independent and has also mastered a unique field of study for a vet. Our work together started during Justyn's final year, resulting in our first joint publication. Currently, Justyn is collecting research material and is awaiting further problem analysis under the supervision of Dr. Izabela Janus. He also has a research internship planned under Professor Gerhard Wess of the University of Munich, a leading veterinary cardiologist – says Prof. Noszczyk-Nowak about her work with the doctoral student.

In search of a way to improve the treatment, comfort and prognosis of patients

Justyn's research concerns the most common heart disease in dogs, namely degenerative mitral valve disease leading to left ventricular heart failure. It is the most common heart disease diagnosed in older dogs. Of all the diseases of the cardiovascular system, it makes up nearly 75% of cases. It also occurs far more frequently than in humans. Clinical signs of the illness are generally preceded by a prolonged asymptomatic phase, during which there are gradually increasing changes in the structure of the heart muscle. Progressive, often long-term degenerative changes to the valve can cause volume overload of the left atrium and left ventricle. As regurgitation worsens, the volume of blood backflow through the valve increases. This results in a gradual increase in blood pressure in the heart cavities, with a consequent dilatation of the left atrium, mitral valve annulus and left ventricle. To gain a better understanding of the course of the disease, Justyn examines one part of the valvular apparatus, namely the tendon cords. 

Together with Prof. Noszczyk-Nowak, they will examine the histological and structural changes of the tendon cords of the mitral valve, their tensile strength and the correlation between these changes and mechanical changes at different stages of the disease. – The research is expected to bring us closer to a better understanding of the mechanics of the tendon cords and ultimately help to predict one of the complications of osteoarthritis, namely an episode of rupture or tear of the tendon cord.

This is a moment of significant deterioration in the clinical condition and prognosis of our patients," explains the PhD student, emphasising that he would like his work to contribute at least a little to the better understanding of heart disease in animals and ultimately improve the treatment, comfort and prognosis of patients. – I am fascinated by the idea of clinical work and it is something I would like to continue in the future. Titles and other achievements are not that important to me. However, coming up with a novel treatment method, extending the patient's survival rate, improving their quality of life and, at the gratitude of the owner – no title can match that feeling – says the PhD student who wants to continue clinical work as a major part of his future professional life. – However, I am closely tied to science and I think that I won’t give it up. In what form I will continue my research, the future will tell – at the moment I’m happy with having two alternatives. The current goal is to get my PhD – Justyn concludes.

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