Fourteen research projects tackling some of the state’s most pressing heart health challenges, from earlier diagnosis and prevention to regenerative therapies and patient-centred care, have been backed by the NSW Government.

Heart diseases are the world’s leading cause of death, accounting for almost 18 million deaths per year according to the World Health Organization.

NSW Health data shows cardiovascular diseases were responsible for 15 thousand deaths in the state in 2022 – a quarter of NSW’s deaths and the second biggest killer behind cancer. The University of Sydney-led projects aim to improve outcomes for people living with heart disease across New South Wales. 

The fourteen projects span the full research pipeline – from prevention and health policy, through to advanced diagnostics and regenerative therapies – with a strong emphasis on equitable access, translation into clinical practice and long-term impact for patients and communities. 

The projects received $7 million in funding through the NSW Government’s cardiovascular research scheme. Three projects were funded through the senior researcher stream and 11 were funded through the early-mid career researcher stream.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Mike Ryan said the grants highlight how university research benefits the NSW community.

“These projects demonstrate how our researchers are delivering solutions that help us all – from preventing heart attacks before they occur to developing regenerative therapies that repair damaged hearts,” Professor Ryan said.

“Heart disease can affect anyone and has touched all of our lives in some way. We’re tackling this challenge from every angle with world-leading experts, research infrastructure, and community connections, to make a real difference for everyone around the state and the world.”

Senior Researcher Grants 

Professor Gemma Figtree | Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health; Charles Perkins Centre; Kolling Institute

Detecting and treating silent coronary artery disease through scalable and equitable diagnostic pathways that aim to prevent heart attacks before they occur. 

Adjunct Associate Professor Daniel Hesselson | School of Medical Sciences; Faculty of Medicine and Health; Charles Perkins Centre; Centenary Institute

Designing and optimising regenerative protein medicines using human heart cells to repair damaged heart muscle after injury. 

Professor Geoffrey Strange | Heart Research Institute

Using AI-enabled modelling and co-designed care interventions to reduce avoidable emergency department presentations for people with coronary heart disease. 

Early-Mid Career Researcher Grants 

Dr Siân Cartland | Heart Research Institute

Developing safer immune-based therapies to reduce vascular inflammation and lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes. 

Dr Alexander Dupuy | School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering; Charles Perkins Centre

Creating new tests and treatments for treatment-resistant blood clots in people with diabetes, hypertension, and heightened, age-related cardiovascular risk.

Dr Robert Hume | School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health; Charles Perkins Centre; Baird Institute

Building a translational pipeline to develop therapies that regenerate heart muscle damaged by heart attack. 

Dr Amy Shouyuan Jiang | School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health; Charles Perkins Centre

Developing bioinspired, clot-resistant coatings to make life-support machines safer for critically ill patients. 

Dr Yen Chin Koay | School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health; Charles Perkins Centre

Developing new treatments that restore healthy energy use in the heart for people with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. 

Dr Minh Duc Nguyen | Faculty of Medicine and Health; Westmead Applied Research Centre

Optimising advanced monitoring technologies to improve treatment of life-threatening heart rhythm disorders after heart attack. 

Dr Edel O'Hagan | Faculty of Medicine and Health; Westmead Applied Research Centre

Evaluating community-led, peer-based approaches to improve blood pressure control in underserved populations. 

Associate Professor Stephanie Partridge | Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health; Charles Perkins Centre; Sydney Horizon Fellow

Partnering with adolescents to co-design cardiovascular disease prevention strategies and inform health policy in NSW. 

Dr Brendan Smyth | Faculty of Medicine and Health; NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre

Translating multinational cardiovascular trial findings into clinical practice to reduce cardiovascular disease and death in people receiving haemodialysis. 

Dr Ziyu Wang | School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science; Charles Perkins Centre

Developing synthetic vascular grafts that regenerate into fully functional living arteries to reduce the need for repeat surgery, particularly for ageing patients. 

Associate Professor Sarah Zaman | Faculty of Medicine and Health; Westmead Applied Research Centre

Improving diagnosis, treatment and support for women affected by pregnancy-associated spontaneous coronary artery dissection.