Internationally renowned cardio researchers lured to NSW

Cardiovascular research is at the heart of the NSW Government’s $150 million investment over 10 years with four international grants awarded to fund the relocation of outstanding, world-class researchers to NSW.

As part of the NSW Government’s Research Leader and Elite Postdoctoral grants, four researchers will receive significant funding to help bring them to NSW.

NSW Health Executive Director Office for Health and Medical Research Dr Antonio Penna explained the importance of attracting world-class talent to NSW. 

“The recruitment and funding of these phenomenal talents will cement NSW’s leadership in cardiovascular research and drive discoveries for the benefit of the NSW population,” Dr Penna said.

Two internationally renowned Research Leaders will receive $500,000 per annum over five years, including Professor Markus Schlaich, who is currently the Dobney Chair in Clinical Research at the University of Western Australia. Professor Schlaich will bring significant investment and research capacity to NSW and lead a novel program of research targeting the sympathetic nervous system to improve cardiovascular and metabolic health at the University of Sydney.

Professor Jason Kovacic is currently Professor of Medicine, Cardiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York. Professor Kovacic will lead cutting edge genetic research into the role of critical genes in coronary artery disease, one of the leading global causes of death and disease. Professor Kovacic will take up his role at the University of NSW/Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.

“I am thrilled to have received this visionary NSW Health award. This NSW Health grant ensures I will have five years of secure funding to re-establish my research program in NSW. I am very excited by this prospect, and after 13 years in the USA my family and I are really looking forward to returning home! I am most grateful to the NSW government for having given me this opportunity,” Prof Kovacic said.

Dr Tessa Barrett is currently a Research Assistant Professor at New York University School of Medicine. She is an emerging leader whose research has focussed on platelet biology and atherogenesis. Dr Tessa will take up a role at the Heart Research Institute and receive $1 million over 3 years.

 A word-class cardiologist will also receive almost $1 million over three years.      Dr Sarah Zaman is currently Interventional & Consultant Cardiologist at MonashHeart, in Victoria. Dr Zaman will undertake critical research into new interventions and innovative models of care for women with heart disease at the University of Sydney.

Grant recipients will lead high quality cardiovascular research in NSW in order to drive scientific discoveries, support the development of novel and innovative therapies and improve health outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease.

“These grants ensure NSW is seen as an international player in cardiovascular research, with effective translation into clinical practice and public health initiatives,” Professor Robert M Graham, Executive Director, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute said. 

The NSW Government is investing $150 million into cardiovascular research over 10 years.