Blog

With over 200 scientists, doctors and staff, the Institute is a very busy place! On this Blog page you'll find a collection of stories from behind the scenes at Australia's Home of Heart Research.

From opinion pieces to Q&A's, myth-busting articles, interviews, and top tips from the experts, we hope you are thoroughly entertained! Happy reading!

Star Scientist - Dr Alastair Stewart

The Institute’s Dr Stewart is determined to make a whole range of therapeutic drugs not only more effective, but also safer for those that need them.

30 Mar 2023

STEM Stars of the Future

We interview 2022 Victor Chang School Science Award winners Wenona School students Mimi Atkins and Sophie Ingham

07 Mar 2023

Star Scientist - Dr Nicole Bryce

Dr Nicole Bryce is working on a groundbreaking PHACTR1 gene project that is changing our understanding of cardiovascular disease.

27 Feb 2023

Why the Mediterranean diet still matters

While other diets come and go, this is one way of eating that continues to be the gold standard for heart health - ranked best diet of 2023.

07 Feb 2023

Star Scientist of the Month - Teagan Er

After being diagnosed with selective mutism and a heart valve disease as a child, it’s not surprising that Teagan Er has a fascination with how the body works.

23 Jan 2023

How sleep can impact heart health

What the latest research tells us about sleep's important role in maintaing a healthy heart

13 Jan 2023

Three new heart health tips for 2023 that could save your life

The Institute's Prof Jason Kovacic shares research's latest insights into preventing heart disease

09 Jan 2023

New Year’s Resolutions for a Healthy Heart

New Year’s Resolutions – Small sustainable changes for heart health

Learn how you can meet your heart health goals this new year - with little incremental changes that have a lasting impact.

19 Dec 2022

Have yourself a heart-friendly Festive Season

Easy things to try this year to be a little heart-healthier this Christmas

16 Dec 2022

Simple, Everyday Tasks Lower the Risk of Death

Short bursts of physical activity during daily life may lower risk of premature death

Data from recent studies has shown that you don’t need a lengthy workout to get health benefits from exercise.

13 Dec 2022

Star Scientist of the Month - Dr Bob Lee

Star Scientist Dr Bob Lee is determined to help usher in treatments for arterial blood vessel disease, which can have devastating consequences for sufferers.

12 Dec 2022

Rainbow of fruit and vegetables

We’re told to ‘eat a rainbow’ of fruit and vegetables. Here’s what each colour does in our body

25 Nov 2022

Star Scientist of the Month - Dr Yashutosh Joshi

Star Scientist Dr Yashutosh Joshi is a key member of Prof Peter Macdonald's team unlocking the potential of spider venom

26 Oct 2022

Link between red meat and heart disease

Does eating red meat raise your risk of heart disease? Learn more about how and why red meat can impact your heart health.

14 Oct 2022

Can being stressed damage your heart?

It’s hard to avoid feeling stressed in our busy lives, as to whether if affect our heart health, the answer it seems is complicated.

10 Oct 2022

How does space travel affect the human body?

Cardiologist and space exploration enthusiast Professor Jason Kovacic talks about the impact of space travel on the human body, particularly on our hearts.

29 Aug 2022

Interview with Dr Celine Santiago 2022

Rising star Dr Celine Santiago talks about her first international presentation, her Visiting Research Fellowship, and winning a second ISHR Poster Prize!

26 Aug 2022

Salt and the Heart

How does salt in our food and diet affect our hearts? How much should we be having?

04 Aug 2022

Star Scientist of the Month - Dr Vaibhao Janbandhu

Dr Vaibhao Janbandhu, from our Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Lab is studying cardiac fibroblasts with hopes to reduce damage after a heart attack.

26 Jul 2022

Women in Science - Connie Jiang

Honours student Connie Jiang has been shortlisted for CSANZ Ralph Reader Young Investigator Prize

22 Jun 2022

Miranda's heart transplant journey - Cardiac biopsies

Heart Transplant survivor shares what it's like to have a heart biopsy, and what Prof Andrew Jabbour’s MRI breakthrough means to those with a donor heart.

17 Jun 2022

Star Scientist of the Month - Dr Tom Meredith

Star Scientist, Dr Tom Meredith, from our Heart Valve Disease and AI Lab is working to transform treatment for aortic stenosis.

15 Jun 2022

Unlocking the secrets of mitochondria – the powerhouses of our cells

This project may have relevance to cardiometabolic diseases and neurological diseases, where mitochondrial dysfunction is at least partially involved.

09 May 2022

Star Scientist of the Month - Dr Kathryn Wolhuter

Star Scientist, Dr Kathryn Wolhuter, from the Kovacic Lab is at the leading edge of unraveling the complex role vascular gene PHACTR1 has on heart disease.

27 Apr 2022

It’s a misconception that heart disease is a man’s disease

Misconceptions about Heart Disease and Women

Victor Chang Institute’s Prof Livia Hool shares the latest advice on what women can do to take care of the heart health

06 Apr 2022

Dr Lee Nedkoff joins the Institute

Dr Lee Nedkoff brings an entirely new set of skills to the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute that will prove instrumental in our heart research.

30 Mar 2022

Star Scientist of the Month - Dr Sam Emmanuel

Star Scientist, Dr Sam Emmanuel from the Hayward Lab is studying mechanical hearts to provide a lifeline for those on the heart transplant waiting lists.

29 Mar 2022

Professor Nigel Turner joins the Institute

Professor Nigel Turner is researching obesity-related metabolic diseases' impact on the heart at the Institute’s new Cellular Bioenergetics Laboratory.

28 Feb 2022

Star Scientist of the Month - Dr Helena Viola

Star Scientist, Dr Helena Viola, part of Professor Livia Hool's team in Perth believes life-saving answers to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are almost here.

22 Feb 2022

Star Scientist of the Month - Dr Jianxin Wu

Star Scientist, Dr Jianxin Wu, is part of the team involved in the research of Hi1a peptide from spider venom, one of the biggest heart breakthroughs.

14 Jan 2022

Star Scientist of the Month - Dr David Zheng

Star Scientist Dr David Zheng has moved from fungi to zebrafish, fascinated with the way a heart can regenerate and repair after injury.

14 Dec 2021

Star Scientist of the Month - Josh Dunn

Star Scientist Josh Dunn is determined to finally shed light on why dangerous deposits form in our arteries and valves

25 Nov 2021

Prof Richard Harvey about Cardiac Fibrosis

Professor Richard Harvey – New Horizons in Cardiac Fibrosis

Professor Harvey reveals how his recent NHMRC Investigator Grant will help find new treatments for heart failure.

12 Nov 2021

Being diagnosed with Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD)

Chris Shaw lived with sky high blood pressure for years unable to find a diagnosis

09 Nov 2021

Star Scientist of the Month - Ella Martin

Star Scientist Ella Martin is a Belgian native who has found a home away from home at the Institute.

27 Oct 2021

Star Scientist of the Month - Dr Amy Nicks

Nominated scientist Dr Amy Nicks is determined to hone in on the gene that could be the key to unlocking heart regeneration.

23 Sep 2021

The science on 10,000 steps a day

We take a look at the research behind the question - do you need 10,000 steps a day and what are the benefits?

17 Sep 2021

Star Scientist of the Month - Renee Johnson

Nominated scientist Dr Renee Johnson, from the Inherited Heart Disease Lab, has the perfect blend of science knowledge and relationship building skills.

25 Aug 2021

Star Scientist of the Month - Delfine Cheng

This month's nominated scientist is Dr Delfine Cheng is taking the lab's microscopy work to the next level

26 Jul 2021

Star Scientist of the Month - Meghna Sobti

This month's nominated rising star is Meghna Sobti, a fan of Cryo-Em Microscopy

22 Jun 2021

Kavitha Muthiah - Clinical Faculty Member

A New Clinical Faculty member, AProf Kavitha Muthiah, drives new research into the devastating side effects of mechanical heart pumps on patients.

27 May 2021

Star Scientist of the Month - Paul Rohde

Each month a rising star will be nominated and featured on our blog. Say hello to our Star Scientist for May, lab manager Paul Rohde

18 May 2021

Star Scientist of the Month - Tanya Solomon

Each month a rising star will be nominated and featured on our blog. Say hello to our Star Scientist for April, Tanya Solomon.

26 Apr 2021

Star Scientist of the Month - Eddie Ip

Each month a rising star will be nominated and featured on our blog. Say hello to our Star Scientist of the month - PhD student, Eddie Ip

16 Mar 2021

A/Prof Mayooran Namasivayam - Beating Heart Valve Disease

Faculty member A/Prof Mayooran Namasivayam is making discoveries and treating patients with heart valve disease

23 Feb 2021

Star Scientist of the Month - Mark Hunter

Each month a rising star will be nominated and featured on our blog. Our second Star Scientist Mark Hunter has been researching for 15 years

17 Feb 2021

Star Scientist of the Month - Ralph Patrick

Each month a rising star will be nominated and featured on our blog. Say hello to our first Star Scientist of the month - Dr Ralph Patrick.

22 Jan 2021

Women in Science - Celine Santiago

Celine, 2020 CSANZ Ralph Reader Young Investigator Prize Winner, shares with us her journey and the research that won her the prestigious award

18 Dec 2020

Women in Science - Dr Monique Bax

Dr Monique Bax has won a share in the AMP Tomorrow Maker's Fund for her research into a deadly heart disease called SCAD.

15 Oct 2020

How to Write a Successful Research Grant

Tips on writing a successful research grant

Our Research Grants Officer, Naomi Arbon, has written this guide for scientists and researchers on how best to apply for a research grant

15 Oct 2020

Women in Science - Dr Inken Martin

Learn the story of Dr Inken Martin who is studying zebrafish to broaden her knowledge of inherited heart disease.

17 Sep 2020

Women in Science - Diane Fatkin

Learn the story of Professor Diane Fatkin, who has lead the way in molecular genetics and research into inherited heart disease

09 Sep 2020

Heart and Soul - A Tribute to Professor Bob Graham

Read about the remarkable career of Bob Graham who steps down as founding Executive Director of the Institute after 25 years

01 Sep 2020

A Message from Chairman Matthew Grounds

Our Chairman of the Board remarks on 25 years of world class research at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute

28 Aug 2020

Women in Science - Audrey Adji

Meet one of our scholarship winning female scientists. Read about Audrey's amazing journey, PhD and the challenges she's faced.

14 Aug 2020

Women in Science - Jeanette Villanueva

Innovation Award winner, Dr Jeanette Villanueva shares her journey as PhD student and senior scientist at the Institute.

31 Jul 2020

Dr Alastair Stewart - The Butterfly Collector

Read how Dr Alastair Stewart made the biggest breakthrough of his career and met the love of his life along the way.

26 May 2020

Dr Chris Stanley - Field of Dreams

Read how Dr Chris Stanley left school to pursue a rugby career but found his calling in the science lab.

01 May 2020

Women in Science - Nikki Bart

Meet the inspiring female scientist, researcher, and cardiologist Dr Nikki Bart, whose work's focus is on heart failure and cardiac genetics.

05 Mar 2020

Women in Science - Sarah Scheuer

Dr Sarah Scheuer discusses her research and shares some advice for women considering doing a PhD and pursuing a career in science.

10 Feb 2020

Women in Science - Emily Wong

Here A/Prof Emily Wong reveals how she established her own laboratory in a field dominated by males, while also raising a young family.

17 Jan 2020

Women in Science - Anita Ayer

What's it like to be a woman in science? Here, Dr Anita Ayer explains why she chose a career in STEM, and her top tips for getting ahead in research.

19 Dec 2019

Smoking at record low in Australia, but the grim harvest of preventable heart disease continues

Nearly 11,500 people are hospitalised from smoking-related heart disease each year - even if smoking rates in Australia are at an all-time low.

04 Jul 2019

Sequence of Success - A/Prof Eleni Giannoulatou

Find out how computational genomics is fast tracking discoveries in CHD, SCAD and dilated cardiomyopathy

19 Jun 2019

Ace of Hearts - Professor Peter Macdonald

Find out how Prof Peter Macdonald pioneered the Heart in a Box discovery at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute

23 May 2019

Top 5 Australian Discoveries

Learn more about Australia's top 5 blockbuster medical discoveries.

28 Mar 2019

Staying hydrated for heart health

Drinking plenty of water is one of the most important habits you should adapt to – especially when it comes to your heart health! Find out why.

15 Jan 2019

Prof David Winlaw on Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Read this opinion piece on HLHS by Paediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon Professor David Winlaw

16 Mar 2018

Opinion Piece: STEM isn't just for boys - Dr Inken Martin

Read this opinion piece from Dr Inken Martin who wants young female students to pursue careers in science and technology STEM.

19 Feb 2018

Opinion Piece: We can't let our kids die young - Prof Bob Graham

Read this opinion piece on how urgent action is required to prolong the lives of a generation faced with 'diabesity'.

24 Jan 2018

Opinion Piece: Survival of the Fittest - Dr Louis Wang

Opinion: Doctor fears young researchers are missing out in science's survival of the fittest

03 Jun 2015

Opinion Piece: A Scientific Banana Republic? - Prof Bob Graham

Read an expert's concerns on how Australia will rapidly become an unstable Scientific Banana Republic unless we take drastic action

19 Feb 2015