Building an Imaging & Blood Characteristics Atlas for Research and Transition Into Clinical Practice

Ms Katherine Hocking, The University of Melbourne

Postgraduate Scholarship

Years funded: 2026 - 2028

Building an Imaging and Blood Characteristics Atlas for Research and Transition Into Clinical Practice

Heart disease and related metabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes are the leading causes of illness and death worldwide. A major challenge in preventing these conditions is that we still don’t fully understand the earliest changes that happen in the body before symptoms appear. Currently, there is no single resource that brings together detailed imaging, clinical, and molecular data to help researchers and clinicians detect these early warning signs.

The Baker Cardiometabolic Atlas Project (B-CAP) aims to fill this critical gap. This project will create the first comprehensive, web-based database that integrates advanced heart imaging techniques, such as cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), with detailed clinical information and cutting-edge molecular profiling. These tools can detect subtle changes in heart structure, function, and metabolism long before traditional tests would.

The atlas will include data from healthy adults of all ages, as well as individuals living with obesity or type 2 diabetes. By capturing this wide range of health and age profiles, the project will help researchers understand what is normal across the population, and what changes signal early signs of disease.

This work has the potential to transform how we detect and prevent heart disease. By identifying problems early, before symptoms develop, healthcare providers can tailor interventions to the individual, improving outcomes and reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease. The atlas will also serve as a powerful tool for researchers to explore new questions, and as an educational resource for training the next generation of clinicians and scientists.

In short, B-CAP will offer a unique, high-quality foundation for early diagnosis, personalised care, and world-leading research in cardiovascular and metabolic health.