Women Behind the Research: Luciana Catanese

MEET LUCIANA CATANESE

Luciana is an investigator at PHRI, an Associate Professor of Medicine (Neurology) at McMaster University and a Stroke neurologist at Hamilton General Hospital.

Luciana’s work at PHRI, focuses on improving outcomes for patients with stroke through innovative, patient-centered clinical research.

What PHRI trials are you currently working on, and what health challenges or problems does your research aim to address?

I am currently involved in several trials, with three key programs addressing some of the most pressing unanswered questions in stroke prevention, acute treatment, and health equity.

The DO IT (Direct Oral Anticoagulant and Thrombolysis) trial is addressing a major global clinical dilemma: how to safely treat acute ischemic stroke in patients who are taking direct oral anticoagulants. As the use of these medications increases worldwide, physicians frequently face uncertainty about whether thrombolysis can be safely administered. This trial aims to generate definitive evidence to guide decision-making and improve outcomes for a growing and vulnerable patient population.

The OPERA study focuses on a different but equally important challenge: understanding why some patients with atrial fibrillation experience stroke despite being on appropriate anticoagulation therapy. By identifying clinical, biological, and treatment-related factors associated with these “breakthrough strokes,” this research aims to improve risk stratification, personalize secondary prevention strategies, and ultimately reduce recurrent stroke and disability.

The SERENE IPDMA addresses a critical and often underrecognized challenge in cerebrovascular health: gender differences in stroke risk and responses to antithrombotic therapies. By leveraging individual patient-level data from major clinical trials, this work aims to deepen our understanding of how stroke affects women differently, identify gaps in prevention, and generate evidence to support more precise, equitable, and evidence-based treatment strategies.

Together, these programs reflect my broader research mission: to close evidence gaps, personalize stroke care, and ensure that advances in science translate into safer, more effective, and more equitable outcomes for patients worldwide.

What does International Women’s Day represent for you personally and professionally? 

International Women’s Day represents both gratitude and responsibility. Personally, it is a moment to reflect on the women who shaped my journey, strong, resilient figures who taught me that determination, compassion, and courage can coexist. As an immigrant, a physician, a researcher, and a mother, I have learned that progress is rarely linear, but every step forward matters.

Professionally, this day is a reminder that representation is powerful. In medicine and science, visibility of women in leadership changes cultures, influences policies, and inspires future generations. It reinforces my commitment to mentorship, to building inclusive research environments, and to ensuring that women, especially those early in their careers, feel supported, heard, and empowered to lead. For me, International Women’s Day is not only about celebrating achievements, but about continuing the work to create equitable opportunities for all.

How has the landscape for women in research changed since you began your career? 

When I began my career, women in research were present but underrepresented in leadership, decision-making roles, and major scientific platforms. Over time, I have witnessed meaningful progress with more women leading clinical trials, shaping guidelines, chairing committees, and influencing global scientific conversations. There is greater awareness of gender equity, more structured mentorship, and stronger institutional commitment to supporting women in academia and research.

However, challenges remain. Women still face disparities in funding, recognition, and leadership opportunities, and many continue to balance professional demands with disproportionate personal responsibilities. What has changed most is not only representation, but voice. Women today are not just participating in science, they are shaping it, redefining leadership, and building collaborative, inclusive research cultures. Being part of this transformation has been both humbling and motivating.

What excites you most about the future of women in science and beyond?

What excites me most is the shift from participation to influence. The future is not only about increasing the number of women in science, but about women driving innovation, shaping systems of care, and redefining what leadership looks like. I see a generation of women who are bold, interdisciplinary, and unafraid to challenge traditional boundaries, combining science, technology, policy, and humanity to solve complex global problems.

I am particularly inspired by the growing emphasis on mentorship, collaboration, and lifting others as we rise. When women support one another, the impact multiplies, not only advancing science, but strengthening communities and health systems. The future I envision is one where leadership is diverse, opportunity is equitable, and young girls everywhere can see science, discovery, and leadership as spaces where they truly belong.