Results of Regional Coordinator Election in the NCAC Region

SGAC held elections in July 2025 to elect the next Regional Coordinator (RC) in the North, Central Americas and the Caribbean (NCAC) Region. We are happy to announce the selection of Cyrine Ben Dhaou (USA) as the new Regional Coordinator for NCAC.

Detailed election results and the profile of the applicants follows.

Election Report

The election received two applications for one regional coordinator position. 

5 votes were received in the election. The election concluded with the following result:

  • Cyrine Ben Dhaou (USA)  – 3 votes (60 %)
  • Madison Telles (USA) – 2 votes (40%)
  • Abstained – 0%

Cyrine Ben Dhaou is therefore declared the winner of the election for Regional Coordinator of North, Central Americas and the Caribbean Region.  

SGAC congratulates all candidates who took part in this election.  Thank you for your participation and involvement.

About Cyrine Ben Dhaou

Dr. Cyrine Ben Dhaou is a vascular scientist based in the United States, with expertise in cardiovascular health and metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). She is also involved in a NASA-sponsored project investigating the impact of space radiation on neuroinflammation.

Dr. Ben Dhaou holds two PhDs: one in Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences from ULB (Belgium) and another in Life Sciences and Health from University of Tours (France). She also earned a Master’s in Forensic Medicine from the University of Lorraine (France) and a second Master’s in Biology of Aging from Paris Descartes University (France).

Throughout her career, Dr. Ben Dhaou has received numerous prestigious awards and fellowships, including the FRS-FNRS Télévie fellowship, the David and Alice Van Buuren Foundation Award, and the Malcolm Feist Cardiovascular Research Fellowship. She has been recognized as one of the top 10 Outstanding Young Persons in Tunisia in 2023 and among the top 20 in the world.
 

Dr. Ben Dhaou has published extensively in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has presented her research at major scientific conferences in Europe, North America, and North Africa. She is an active member of the American Heart Association (AHA) and the North American Vascular Biology Organization (NAVBO), where she serves on the Communication Committee and chairs the Career Development Committee of LSUHS’s Postdoctoral Association. She is a featured member of the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Fides Project, a global initiative that supports trusted health communicators.

Dr. Ben Dhaou founded an educational platform where she shares structured, evidence-based scientific content, tackling key topics like cardiovascular disease, cancer, liver disease, and combating health misinformation. Dr. Ben Dhaou is passionate about mentoring students, providing hands-on guidance to support the development of the next generation of scientists. She was recently selected as an Astronaut Candidate with Titans Space Industries, where she will begin a multi-year training program for space missions.

This is what Cyrine had to say about her election

“I am deeply honoured to be selected as the Regional Coordinator for the NCAC region. This opportunity allows me to contribute to the growth and development of the next generation of space leaders. My vision is to create a supportive, inclusive community where young professionals from North, Central America, and the Caribbean can collaborate, innovate, and make a meaningful impact in space exploration and science. Together, we can strengthen our region’s voice and drive progress in these exciting fields.”