Research

Main research interests: Electrical remodelling in cardiac disease (Atrial fibrillation; Heart failure); Functional role of cardiac ion channels; Pharmacological modulation (Antiarrhythmic drugs); Cardiac fibroblasts: Cellular electrophysiology; Stem cells in regenerative cardiac therapy; Reprogramming of adult cells; Pharmacology of the lower urinary tract

Ursula Ravens is distinguished for important contributions to cardiovascular Pharmacology. Her work was carried out at the Departments of Pharmacology in Kiel, Essen and Dresden University. The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the Dresden University of Technology was shaped into a renowned laboratory for cardiac cellular electrophysiology with special emphasis on atrial fibrillation. Her group has plaid a key role in characterising physiological and pharmacological effects in human cardiomyocytes. Recently she started to investigate the arrhythmogenic potential of stem cells.

Career

• since 2014 Emerita; Senior Professor
• 1997-2014 Head of Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty, University of Technology Dresden
• 1997 Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty, University of Technology Dresden
• 1985-1997 Professor of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Universität - Gesamthochschule - Essen.
• 1979 "Habilitation" (PhD) in Pharmacology, University of Kiel
• 1977 Specialization in Pharmacology
• 1970-1985 Post-doc scientist at Department of Pharmacology, University of Kiel
• 1970 License to practice Medicine
• 1969 MD, Medical School at University of Freiburg
• 1963-1969 Medical School at University of Freiburg and University of Vienna

Functions

• 2013 Chairman of the Commission for Scientific Quality of the German Cardiac Society
• 2008-2012 Board Member, Deutsche Pharmakologische Gesellschaft (DGP)
• 1999-2005 Member of the International Society for Heart Research's Council
• 1996-1997 Chairperson of the European Working Group on Cardiac Cellular Electrophysiology (European Society of Cardiology)
• 1989 Member of the  Instruction Committee, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie
• 1987-1995 Member, Konvent of the Universität-Gesamthochschule Essen
• 1987 Member of the Advisory Board for prescription drugs, Bundesgesundheitsamt

Honours and Memberships

• 2015 Bundesverdienstkreuz erster Klasse
• since 2001 Member of the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
• 1991 Honorary Professor of Cardiology at the Military Postgraduate School Beijing, China
• Honorary Doctorate from Szeged University, Hungary