Eight researchers from the University of Sydney are sharing in over $2.2 million awarded by the Heart Foundation to develop clinical innovations, support the next generation of leaders in cardiovascular research, and enable research collaborations around Australia and overseas.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia, and disproportionately affects disadvantaged communities.
Professor Julie Cairney, Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), thanked the Heart Foundation for its continued support of the University’s world-leading cardiovascular research.
“These fellowships and grants recognise the University’s dedication to improving patient outcomes through applied and fundamental research. Our advanced research technologies and practices, and our strong connections with the healthcare system and patient networks, allow us to be at the forefront of research that tackles the biggest challenges for the good of all. The funding is awarded to researchers across three faculties at the University, highlighting the breadth of our expertise in cardiovascular care.”
Funds are distributed through three of the Heart Foundation’s research programs:
- Collaboration and Exchange Grants, to support research collaborations and knowledge exchange in Australia and overseas;
- Future Leader Fellowships, to support the best and brightest in cardiovascular research; and
- Vanguard Grants, to test the feasibility of innovative concepts in clinical, public health, health services or biomedical research.
Professor John O’Sullivan
Charles Perkins Centre; School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health; Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
Professor O’Sullivan has received two prestigious grants to support his groundbreaking research into heart failure, a condition affecting millions of Australians. He was awarded a Future Leader Fellowship worth $692,000 over four years, as well as a Vanguard Grant of $150,000 over two years.
The Future Leader Fellowship will support a wide-ranging research program that explores how inflammation contributes to heart failure. Professor O’Sullivan’s team will use advanced lab models – including living samples of human heart tissue and heart cells – to study how the heart responds to stress and damage. They will also use cutting-edge imaging technology, including Australia’s first cardiac MRI hyperpolariser, to track changes in the heart without harming the tissue.
This research is closely linked to real-world care. Professor O’Sullivan runs NSW’s only clinic dedicated to a specific type of heart failure known as HFpEF. His lab discoveries are already being tested in clinical trials, helping to bridge the gap between science and patient care. The Vanguard Grant will support a separate project investigating how problems with energy production in heart cells can lead to inflammation and scarring – both key drivers of heart failure.
Associate Professor Rebecca Kozor
Northern Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health
Associate Professor Kozor was awarded a $381,400 Future Leader Fellowship to support her 4-year research program to conduct clinical studies using advanced electrocardiography (A-ECG) and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy to improve accurate diagnosis, gain deeper insights into biological mechanisms, and evaluate new therapies. Associate Professor Kozor will also collaborate with consumer groups, combining this with her research to translate her work into improved healthcare outcomes, policies and practice.
Associate Professor Jessica Orchard
Charles Perkins Centre; Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health
Associate Professor Orchard was awarded a $150,000 Vanguard Grant to support her Hearts in FOCUS program, which will codesign and deliver a culturally-safe cardiac screening program for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in remote northern Australia through the sporting community. By providing screening and CPR training in a familiar, convenient setting with a clear pathway to care, the team hopes to reduce the disproportionately high rate of rheumatic heart disease and sudden cardiac death among Indigenous Australians.
Associate Professor Giselle Yeo
Charles Perkins Centre; Sydney Nano Institute; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science
Associate Professor Yeo was awarded a $148,322 Vanguard Grant to support her research into treating heart attacks with a sprayable gel that contains tailored stem cell-derived repair factors. The patch may help heart tissues heal from damage caused by a lack of oxygen during a heart attack. This damage contributes to weaker heart tissue in survivors. By potentially limiting inflammation, scarring and cell death, and by stimulating the formation of new blood vessels, this treatment could help patients recover faster and stronger from heart attacks.
Charles Perkins Centre; Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health
Dr Candelaria was awarded a $5000 Collaboration and Exchange Grant to attend the European Society of Cardiology Congress to present the outcomes of his postdoctoral research on quality improvement in cardiac rehabilitation. He will also visit leading research groups in the UK and Norway to strengthen international collaborations and explore future joint initiatives.
School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health
Dr Chapman was awarded a $529,000 Future Leader Fellowship to support her teaching and research into ways to better detect and manage high blood pressure (hypertension). Hypertension is the strongest contributor to death and disability from cardiovascular disease. This funding will help co-adapt the BP Toolkit blood pressure education and HEARTS care delivery packages to be culturally appropriate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These evidence-based packages will be rolled out to primary care centres around Australia, including pharmacies, to improve hypertension management in regional and rural communities and among Indigenous Australians.
Charles Perkins Centre; Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health;
Dr Raeside was awarded a $150,000 Vanguard Grant to develop and test the Health4MePLUS mobile app. The app will be co-created with Australian adolescents to promote heart-protective behaviours like mental wellbeing, regular physical activity and eating a balanced diet. This project aims to drive real world impact, ensuring Australian adolescents have access to equitable and effective tools to prevent development of heart disease.
Yunduo Charles Zhao
PhD candidate, Faculty of Engineering
Zhao was awarded a $5000 Collaboration and Exchange Grant to attend the International Society on Thrombosis and Homeostasis in Paris, and to undertake a five-week exchange in the Laboratory of Hemodynamics and Cardiovascular Technology at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. This will support his PhD studies and his work to commercialise his research.