Our team

ASHRA has assembled a stellar group of cardiovascular and stroke researchers, business developers, educators, industry partners, commercialisation experts, and technologists to collectively build a transformational research accelerator that maximises commercial return on Australian discovery and reduces the impact of cardiovascular disease on society. 

Our governance structure enables our members to work together providing coordinated leadership.

The ASHRA Executive Management Committee (EMC) have overall responsibility for delivery of the Centre activities and are accountable to MTPConnect and the Centre Partner Organisations. Two Committees sit under the EMC providing advice to the EMC on the delivery of the ‘Research’ and ‘Capacity Building’ components of the Centre deliverables.

Executive Management Team

Our EMC is led by a team of internationally renowned Australian cardiovascular researchers recognised for their track record in delivering the highest quality science and translational research. The committee provides leadership, operational oversight, strategic direction and risk and budget management. The committee comprises of members of the founding Partner Organisations and a consumer representative.

Prof Stephen Nicholls is the Director and Prof Clara Chow AM is Deputy Director of ASHRA, Mr Richard Taggart is the Independent Chair and Ms Karen Carey is our consumer representative.

Professor Steve Nicholls
Director

Professor Jason Kovacic
Research Advisory Committee Chair

Professor Geoff Donnan AO
Stroke Lead

ASHRA Leadership Team

Professor Clara Chow AM
Deupty-Director

Professor Bruce Neal
Education and Training Committee Chair

Professor Louise Maple-Brown
Endocrinology Lead

Richard Taggart
Independent Chair

Professor Alex Brown
Indigenous Lead

Karen Carey
Consumer Representative

ASHRA Governance Structure

Research Advisory Committee

Our Research Advisory Committee (RAC) is responsible for oversight of projects, reporting status, progress and achievements to the EMC, and evaluating potential new projects for recommendation to the EMC.

The RAC is currently chaired by Prof Jason Kovacic (Director and CEO, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute). National membership includes researchers with expertise across the priority areas and translational spectrum, including commercialisation expertise.

Committee Members

  • Jason Kovacic, Chair (Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, ASHRA Executive Committee)

  • James Chong (Westmead Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney

  • Sally Dunwoodie (Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute)

  • Livia Hool (University of Western Australia)

  • Bruce Neal (The George Institute for Global Health)

  • Johanna Barclay (Telethon Kids)

  • Mark Febbraio (Monash University)

  • Louise Lyons (South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute)

  • Christina Bursill (Australian Cardiovascular Alliance)

Ex officio

  • Asha Puvan (Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute)

  • Fraser Taylor (The George Institute for Global Health)

 

Education and Training Committee

The Education and Training Committee (ETC) identify, develop, deliver and evaluate bespoke training and education activities and opportunities for ASHRA, with a strong focus on capacity building of our EMCR cohort. Recommendations for the Education and Training Program are reported to the EMC for consideration.

Currently the ETC is chaired by Prof Bruce Neal (Director The George Institute for Global Health) and membership includes the ASHRA Education and Training Manager, training members from the Partners and industry members with training expertise.

Committee members

  • Prof Bruce Neal, Chair (The George Institute for Global Health, ASHRA Executive Committee)

  • Prof Jamie Vandenberg (Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute)

  • Prof Rebecca Ritchie (Monash University)

  • Prof Alex Brown (Australian National University)

  • Dr Elizabeth Barr (Menzies School of Health Research)

  • Dr Parisa Glass (The George Institute for Global Health)

  • Ms Dina Titkova (University of New South Wales)

  • Prof Jason Kovacic (ASHRA Research Committee)

Ex officio

  • Dr Karen Kool (The George Institute for Global Health, ASHRA Education and Training Manager)