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Welcome to our lab!

Our vision is to improve cardiovascular health by building exceptional researchers.

Our mission is to empower, inspire, and build exceptional scientists who are dedicated to advancing cardiovascular health through innovative research and collaborative efforts. We aim to cultivate a dynamic and inclusive research environment where respect, curiosity, and fulfilment drive our pursuit of excellence. By fostering a culture of continuous learning, psychological safety and mutual respect, we strive to make significant contributions to our community and improve the cardiovascular well-being of all individuals worldwide. 

Want to learn everything about gut microbiota in hypertension?

Check out our latest review published in Nature Reviews Nephrology.

 

Our guidelines paper published in Hypertension

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The STORMS guidelines for reporting human microbiome studies we contributed to, published in Nature Medicine

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Evidence that gut microbial substances lower blood pressure in patients published in Nature Cardiovascular Research

Awards

The last few years have been very successful for our team! Since the start of the lab in Nov-2018, our members won or were finalists for over 100 awards and 50 travel grants!

 

This includes the prestigious Australian Academy of Science Gottschalk Medal, the International Society of Hypertension Mid-Career Award, the Women's Agenda STEM Award, International Society of Hypertension, High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia, 10x Genomics, Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, EMBL and others - just WOW.

 

 Photos of some of our awards can be seen here 

Media appearances

We believe that part of being a good scientist is being able to communicate effectively with the public.

 

Check out some of our contributions to blogs, videos, STEM profilenews and interviews 

We are recruiting for trials

If you live in or near Melbourne, Australia, you can register for our exciting trials on the gut microbiome 

Our diversity statement

"We understand that scientific excellence depends on creativity, that creativity emerges from diversity, and that the advantages of diversity are realized through inclusion." - David Asai

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Our lab members recognise that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are essential for scientific excellence. Despite ongoing challenges with discrimination and unconscious biases in research, we are committed to fostering an environment that aligns with our core values of respect, curiosity, and fulfilment:

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Respect: We actively challenge our unconscious biases and hold each other accountable. We value the voices of under-represented groups, respect diverse opinions, and create a psychologically safe and inclusive work environment.


Curiosity: We believe that innovation stems from curiosity and creativity, which are fueled by diversity. We strive to promote a diverse and inclusive workplace where all ideas can flourish.

 

Fulfilment: We are dedicated to providing equal opportunities for all, ensuring that every team member can achieve personal and professional fulfilment in a supportive and equitable environment.​

Research

Unlocking the Mysteries of Blood Pressure Regulation

We are passionate about our research and want to make a difference.

Do you want to join us in our mission? 

Super Health Food

Gut microbiota

There is emerging evidence that the microbes that inhabit our colon, also known as the gut microbiota, might have a role in the regulation of blood pressure. Consumption of a diet high in fibre increases gut microbiota populations that generate short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). We have determined that a diet rich in fibre or SCFA modulates gut microbes and prevents the development of cardiovascular disease. We are now trying to understand the mechanisms involved, how the gut and its microbes communicate with other key tissues, as well as performing clinical trials to decrease the burden of cardiovascular disease through prevention of hypertension.

Contact Us

Victorian Heart Institute,

Biomedical Discovery Institute

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health

Sciences
Monash University, Clayton,
Melbourne, Australia

+61-03-9905 6958

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