26 Oct 2026: The ISH was pleased to welcome four newly elected Council members during the ISH General Meeting held at our Scientific Meeting in Dubai on 24 October 2026.
Michel Azizi, Ruan Kruger, Francine Marques and Akira Nishiyama bring a wealth of experience across hypertension research, clinical care, education and international collaboration. Brief biographies for each follow.
Michel Azizi (France)
Michel Azizi is Professor Emeritus of Vascular Medicine at Université Paris Cité and a consultant in the Hypertension Department at Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou in Paris, France.
His research focuses on resistant hypertension, primary aldosteronism, fibromuscular dysplasia, treatment adherence and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. He has contributed to major studies of renal denervation and investigations of new drug treatments, including aldosterone synthase inhibitors. His awards include the 2025 Björn Folkow award of the European Society of Hypertension.
Michel has contributed to international guidelines and consensus documents and held Council and working group leadership roles within the European Society of Hypertension. He is a Corresponding Member of the French National Academy of Medicine. His educational work includes training for younger clinicians and international webinars in Europe, Africa and with national academies in South America.
Ruan Kruger (South Africa)
Ruan Kruger is Research Professor of Cardiovascular Health in the Hypertension in Africa Research Team at North-West University, South Africa. His research focuses on the early development of hypertension and cardiovascular disease across childhood, adolescence and young adulthood.
Ruan has contributed to African and international research initiatives, ISH guidance on hypertension in young people and the 2026 ISH guidelines for the management of hypertension in Africa.
He is an ISH Fellow and President of the Childhood Hypertension Consortium of Africa. Ruan’s longstanding involvement with ISH includes chairing the New Investigator Committee and serving on the Executive Council and Africa Regional Advisory Group. He has a strong commitment to mentorship, research capacity development and equitable global representation.
Francine Marques (Australia)
Francine Marques is a professor at Monash University, Australia, where she heads the Hypertension Research Laboratory, serves as Deputy Director (Discovery) of the Victorian Heart Institute and co-chairs the Cardiovascular Disease Program at the Biomedicine Discovery Institute.
She is internationally recognised for her research on the gut microbiome and blood pressure regulation, exploring new approaches to prevent and treat hypertension. Her awards include the 2021 ISH Mid-Career Award for Women Researchers.
Francine has served on ISH committees since 2012 and chaired the Mentorship and Training Committee from 2019 to 2022, introducing mentoring symposia and an international podcast series. She is Deputy Director of the ISH Academy and has contributed to the Society’s lifestyle guidance and May Measurement Month campaign.
Akira Nishiyama (Japan)
Akira Nishiyama is Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Kagawa University, Japan. His research spans hypertension, kidney disease, cardiovascular protection and sodium homeostasis.
He is Vice President of the Japanese Society of Hypertension and Chair of it International Affairs Committee, as well as a Council member of the Asian Pacific Society of Hypertension. He chaired the Local Organising Committee for the ISH Kyoto 2022 Scientific Meeting and has contributed to international guideline development.
Akira’s work promotes hypertension awareness, scientific exchange and international collaboration across the Asia Pacific region and beyond. He has also mentored graduate students, fellows and early-career investigators from Asia and Africa, helping to strengthen research capacity and develop future leaders in hypertension.