Ministerial awards for cardiovascular research

Recognising and celebrating excellence in cardiovascular research

The Ministerial Awards for Cardiovascular Research are presented annually at the NSW CVRN Showcase and Ministerial Awards Ceremony to recognise and celebrate outstanding contributions to research in cardiovascular diseases, including diabetes, stroke and renal disease.

The 2025 Ministerial Award recipients were announced by the Hon. David Harris MP, Minister for Medical Research, at the NSW CVRN Showcase and Ministerial Awards Ceremony held on Monday 23 February 2026.

2025 Ministerial Award Recipients

Ministerial Award for Cardiovascular Research Excellence: Prof Anthony Rodgers, The George Institute for Global Health

Prof Rodgers is honoured for his lifelong dedication to generating high quality evidence to prevent cardiovascular disease and reduce global health inequality. With a career spanning over 30 years, an array of international collaborations, and over 600 peer reviewed publications, his trailblazing research has helped develop NSW's largest portfolio of global cardiovascular trials and strengthened key capabilities including GCP-compliant data systems, biostatistics, regulatory science, health economics and public-private partnership frameworks.

Ministerial Award for Rising Star in Cardiovascular Research: Scientia A/Prof Thanh Nho Do, University of New South Wales

Scientia A/Prof Do is a global leader in bio-robotics having established a world-class research program, driving transformative innovation in soft robotics and cardiac devices across healthcare and industry. His work redefines how medical devices mimic biological function, developing flexible and intelligent bio-robotic technologies that improve patient care and medical practice to address the burden of cardiovascular diseases. He boasts 12 patents, several commercialised, and his work has helped establish Australia as a leader in bio-robotic innovation.

Ministerial Award for Rising Star in Cardiovascular Research: Dr Niamh Chapman, University of Sydney

Dr Chapman has established herself as a rising star in hypertension research. Her research aims to adapt the way we deliver health services and has identified critical gaps in the delivery of patient education leading to the development of the ‘BP Toolkit’ - an evidence-based education package developed in collaboration with international experts and patients. Dr Chapman’s research has also been cited in 3 international guidelines, 3 international position statements, and the 2025 WHO Hypertension Report.

Ministerial Award for PhD Rising Star in Cardiovascular Research: Dr Yashutosh Joshi, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute

Dr Joshi’s work aims to determine if donor heart preservation could be optimised to increase the number, and quality of hearts available for transplantation. With “heart in a box technology” introduced by his institute for a previously non-utilised donor pathway, Dr Joshi’s work revealed important new time points that have an impact on recipient survival. His work also found that blood thinners, and a novel spider-venom derived peptide (Hi1a) could significantly improve the way donor hearts are protected, therefore increasing the chances of transplantation.

Nominations for the 2026 NSW CVRN Ministerial Awards for Cardiovascular Research will open in late October 2026. Applications for these Awards are by nomination.

The Ministerial Award for Cardiovascular Research Excellence

The Ministerial Award for Cardiovascular Research Excellence was established in 2011 to recognise distinguished researchers for their life-long achievement and contribution to breakthroughs in cardiovascular disease.

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The Ministerial Award for Rising Star in Cardiovascular Research

The Ministerial Award for Rising Star in Cardiovascular Research is open to early and mid-career researchers in NSW, up to 10 years post-completion of their PhD. This Award recognises researchers who are already making significant contributions to research in cardiovascular disease and are considered a “rising star” of the future.

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The Ministerial Award for PhD Rising Star in Cardiovascular Research

The Ministerial Award for PhD Rising Star in Cardiovascular Research was established in 2023 to recognise research excellence in doctoral studies for a NSW researcher up to one year post-completion of their PhD or nearing the end of their PhD candidature.

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