Agilent Thought Leader Award

Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute’s Professor Jason Kovacic presented with Agilent Thought Leader Award

10 January 2022

The Institute’s Executive Director has been recognised for his influential work on cardiovascular disease by Agilent Technologies.

Professor Kovacic was presented with the Agilent Thought Leader Award for his world-leading research into the vascular diseases, fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) and spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD).

“It’s a great honour to be the recipient of this prestigious Agilent Thought Leader Award,” said Professor Kovacic. “I thank Agilent for the recognition and look forward to continuing our work in cardiovascular research at the Institute with Agilent’s strong support and direct access to their cutting-edge scientific instruments.

“I know this partnership will help propel our exciting translational cardiovascular and heart disease research, as we work to further understand these conditions that affect so many in Australia and across the globe.”

Professor Kovacic’s research will generate much-needed proteomics and metabolomics datasets, using Agilent mass spec solutions. This will further integrate them in existing genomics data sets in cell and animal systems for FMD, which is thought to affect around one in 20 women and can be fatal.

This complex approach will be assisted with artificial intelligence and Bayesian Networks to convert data to knowledge, which may assist with translation to clinical utility. In addition to his ongoing research to identify the causes and treat vascular disease, Professor Kovacic is a practicing clinical cardiologist specialising in vascular disease and blockages of the heart arteries.

“It’s a privilege to recognise Professor Kovacic for this award. His research will enable insights into the causes of fibromuscular dysplasia, potentially leading to tools for prediction and early intervention,” said Sudharshana Seshadri, vice president and general manager of Agilent’s Mass Spectrometry Division.

“Agilent strives to work with the best academic researchers worldwide to support their work and identify new applications, tools, and capabilities for our products—enabling novel clinical research and analytical applications.”

Through the Agilent Thought Leader Program, Agilent supports important cardiovascular disease research and the utility of complex systems biology approaches to unravel potential solutions. Agilent continues to invest in the segment markets it serves, including clinical research and the support of translational research. These investments provide economic and societal impact and demonstrate Agilent’s commitment to improve the human condition.

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For all media enquiries and interview requests, please contact:

Julia Timms
Head, Media & Communications
j.timms@victorchang.edu.au
0457 517 355