Marguerite Maryanne Engler

MARGUERITE M. ENGLER, PHD, RN, MS, FAHA

On Thursday, March 9, 2023, Marguerite Maryanne Engler, PhD, of Potomac MD, passed away peacefully. She was born in Washington, DC to Col. Frank Robert Engler and Dorothy Jeane (nee, Johnston) Engler, both of whom have predeceased her. She is survived by her cherished twin sister, Dr. Mary B. Engler. Dr. Marguerite M. Engler is also survived by three brothers, nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

Professor Engler passed away leaving behind a legacy in the medical field. She was currently employed with The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD in the Graduate School of Nursing Department as her primary appointment.

Research Interests:

Nutritional interventions for the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease

Biomarkers for vascular health, endothelial function, vascular aging

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.

Major: Physiology

Master of Science American University, Washington, D.C.

Major: Biology/Physiology

Bachelor of Science American University, Washington, D.C.

Major: Biology

Associate in Arts and Sciences Marymount University, Arlington, V.A.

Major: Nursing

Biography

Dr. Marguerite Engler is a Professor in the Graduate School of Nursing at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Engler has held previous positions as Acting Scientific Director, Deputy Scientific Director, Senior Clinician and Chief of the Cardiovascular Symptoms Unit in the Division of Intramural Research at National Institutes of Nursing Research at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. Her prior university faculty appointments included Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Physiological Nursing at the University of California at San Francisco. She received her nursing degree from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia and her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Biology from American University, Washington, DC. Dr. Engler’s doctorate degree is in Physiology from Georgetown University, Washington, DC. She completed her doctoral research training at the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. Her expertise is in cardiovascular physiology, nutrition and nursing.

The recipient of many intramural and extramural research grant awards, Dr. Engler also serves on the Scientific Advisory Board for the International Academy of Cardiology, World Congress on Heart Disease. She is a long-time member of multiple professional societies, including the American Physiological Society and the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids. She was also elected as a Fellow in the American Heart Association’s Councils on Cardiovascular Nursing and Nutrition, Metabolism, and Physical Activity. Notably, Dr. Engler served as the Editor-in-Chief of the journal, "Progress in Cardiovascular Nursing" for 17 years.

Dr. Engler began her early career in critical care, cardiology, and cardiothoracic surgery. Her clinical experience caring for patients with open heart surgery at the Cardiac Surgery Branch at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health inspired her research trajectory to develop nutritional interventions for the prevention of coronary heart disease. Her extensive laboratory investigations have focused on the blood pressure lowering effect of an omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (gamma-linolenic acid) and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (docosahexaenoic acid) in hypertension, fatty acid metabolism and underlying mechanisms. Her significant research demonstrated that dietary docosahexaenoic acid prevents the cardiac and vascular pathology associated with hypertension.

Previous multidisciplinary clinical studies and the EARLY (Endothelial Assessment of Risk from Lipids in Youth) Trial have included nutritional interventions such as the National Cholesterol Education Program Step II diet, antioxidant vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, l-arginine and cocoa flavanols. Their effects on endothelial function, lipid metabolism and biomarkers for oxidative stress and inflammation have also been investigated. Other clinical studies have focused on the effects of the Mediterranean diet and omega-3 fatty acids on vascular health in children with hereditary hyperlipidemias.

Dr. Engler's research demonstrated that antioxidant vitamins C & E or docosahexaenoic acid improve vascular health in hyperlipidemic children at high risk for early coronary heart disease and this may slow the progression of atherosclerosis. Moreover, Dr. Engler was a Co-Investigator with Dr. Mary Engler on the first clinical trial to show the benefits of dark chocolate on vascular health. Dr. Engler's current research is focused on vascular aging and the vasculoprotective effects of various nutritional interventions.

For Dr. Engler's full bibliography, please visit http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/marguerite.engler.1/bibliography/50712576/public/?sort=date&direction=descending

REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS, PROJECTS, AND/OR DEPLOYMENTS

1. Acting Scientific Director, National Institute of Nursing Research, Division of Intramural Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD

2. Deputy Scientific Director, Senior Clinician and Chief, Cardiovascular Symptoms Unit, Symptom Management Branch, National Institute of Nursing Research, Division of Intramural Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD

3. Professor and Vice Chair, University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing, Department of Physiological Nursing, San Francisco, CA

4. Editor-in-Chief, Progress in Cardiovascular Nursing (1993-2010)

5. Grant Award, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Nursing Research: R01 NR04902 "Diet, Endothelial Function and Pediatric Hyperlipidemia"

6. Grant Award, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Nursing Research, R56 High Priority, Short Term Project Award R56 NR04909

7. NIH Senior Leadership Training, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland

8. Scientific Advisory Board, International Academy of Cardiology, World Congress on Heart Disease

9. Engler MM, Engler MB, Pierson DM, Molteni LB, Molteni A. The effects of docosahexaenoic acid on vascular pathology and reactivity in hypertension. Exp Biol Med. 2003 Mar;228(3):299-307. PMID: 12626775

10. Engler MM, Schambelan M, Engler MB, Ball DL, Goodfriend TL. Effects of dietary gamma-linolenic acid on blood pressure and adrenal angiotensin receptors in hypertensive rats. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1998 Jul;218(3):234-7. PMID: 9648942

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Engler MM. Role of Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Hypertension. Ann Nursing Practice 2017; 4(1): 1077.

2. Costello RB, Lentino CV, Saldanha L, Engler MM, Engler MB, Srinivas P, Sempos CT. A select review reporting the quality of studies measuring endothelial dysfunction in randomised diet intervention trials . Br J Nutr. 2015 Jan 14;113(1):89-99. PMID: 25374114

3. Elsharat RA, Engler MM, Stotts NA, Froelicher E. Cigarette and water pipe smoking patterns among hospitalized men with a cardiovascular disease diagnosis . J Nurs Educ Pract. 2014;4(10):118-132.

4. Elshatarat RA, Stotts NA, Engler M, Froelicher ES. Knowledge and beliefs about smoking and goals for smoking cessation in hospitalized men with cardiovascular disease. Heart Lung. 2013 Mar-Apr;42(2):126-32. PMID: 23290660

5. Harris WS, Mozaffarian D, Rimm E, Kris-Etherton P, Rudel LL, Appel LJ, Engler MM, Engler MB, Sacks F. Omega-6 fatty acids and risk for cardiovascular disease: a science advisory from the American Heart Association Nutrition Subcommittee of the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism; Council on Cardiovascular Nursing; and Council on Epidemiology and Prevention . Circulation. 2009 Feb 17;119(6):902-7. PMID: 19171857

6. Engler MM, Engler MB. Omega-3 fatty acids: role in cardiovascular health and disease. J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2006 Jan-Feb;21(1):17-24. PMID: 16407732

7. Engler MM, Engler MB, Malloy MJ, Paul SM, Kulkarni KR, Mietus-Snyder ML. Effect of docosahexaenoic acid on lipoprotein subclasses in hyperlipidemic children (the Early study) . Am J Cardiol. 2005 Apr 1;95(7):869-71. PMID: 15781019

8. Engler MM, Engler MB, Malloy M, Chiu E, Besio D, Paul S, Stuehlinger M, Morrow J, Ridker P, Rifai N, Mietus-Snyder M. Docosahexaenoic acid restores endothelial function in children with hyperlipidemia: results from the EARLY study. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2004 Dec;42(12):672-9. PMID: 15624283

9. Engler MM, Engler MB, Arterburn LM, Bailey E, Chiu EY, Malloy MJ, Mietus-Snyder ML. Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation alters plasma phospholipid fatty acid composition in hyperlipidemic children: Results from the Endothelial Assessment of Risk from Lipids in Youth (EARLY) study. Nutr Res. 2004 Sep;24(9): 721-729.

10. Engler MM, Engler MB, Malloy MJ, Chiu EY, Schloetter MC, Paul SM, Stuehlinger M, Lin KY, Cooke JP, Morrow JD, Ridker PM, Rifai N, Miller E, Witztum JL, Mietus-Snyder M. Antioxidant vitamins C and E improve endothelial function in children with hyperlipidemia: Endothelial Assessment of Risk from Lipids in Youth (EARLY) Trial. Circulation. 2003 Sep 2;108(9):1059-63. PMID: 12912807

The family will be receiving guests, 9:30 am at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 9200 Kentsdale Dr., Potomac, MD 20854 until the start of Mass at 11:00 am. Entombment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Silver Spring, MD. Memorial contributions in Marguerite's memory may be made to Suburban Hospital Cardiac Care Program. Checks payable to Suburban Hospital Foundation, memo/notate Cardiac Care Program, 8600 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814. www.donate.surbanhospital.org/heartmonth. Flowers may be ordered through www.luluflorist.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Thibadeau Mortuary Service, p.a., 124 E Diamond Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877, 301-495-4950, www.interfaithfunerals.com