NSW Cardiovascular Research Network (NSW CVRN)

Fostering cardiovascular research excellence in NSW

Welcome to the NSW Cardiovascular Research Network (CVRN), a pioneering collaboration driving cardiovascular research excellence across NSW. Established in 2005, the NSW CVRN is a cross-institutional, multidisciplinary Network funded by the NSW Government Office for Health and Medical Research and member organisations, and supported and hosted by the Heart Foundation.

Our mission is to foster and strengthen cardiovascular research capacity in NSW through a grants and awards program, and workshops, seminars and events designed to advance the careers of early and mid-career researchers. We support and enhance collaboration across research institutions and researchers, and showcase and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the Network’s best and brightest cardiovascular researchers.

CVRN membership includes 17 member organisations, over 50 affiliated institutions, and all NSW Local Health Districts. Researchers from umbrella organisations can join the CVRN as individual members, and are automatically eligible to apply for grants, attend events, sit on our committees, and contribute to other Network activities and initiatives.

With more than 600 individual members and continuously growing, the NSW CVRN spans the entire research spectrum, from basic biomedical, clinical, population and public health. The Network brings together world renowned and emerging researchers in the areas of vascular, cardiac and kidney diseases, stroke and diabetes.

Join us in shaping the future of cardiovascular research in NSW through collaboration, innovation, and increased funding for our state’s cardiovascular researchers.

CVRN Executive Committee  

The NSW CVRN Executive Committee shapes the strategic direction and oversees high-level initiatives, reflecting a diverse mix of career stages, research focuses, and institutional backgrounds.

The current committee includes: 

• Professor Andrew Boyle, (Chair) - The University of Newcastle/Hunter Medical Research Institute
• Professor Sally Inglis (Deputy Chair) - University of Technology Sydney
• Professor Kazuaki Negishi - UNSW Sydney/ Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
• Professor Kerry-Anne Rye - UNSW Sydney
• Professor Jamie Vandenberg - Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
• Professor Aaron Sverdlov - The University of Newcastle/Hunter Medical Research Institute
• Associate Professor Jessica Orchard - The University of Sydney
• Mr Simon Cowie - Heart Foundation
• The Hon. Pru Goward - Community member

CVRN Rising Stars Sub-Committee 

Beneath the Executive Committee sits the CVRN Rising Stars Sub-Committee, representing the interests of EMCRs, and responsible for guiding the program of activities designed to build research capacity and advance careers of our EMCR members.

Opportunities to join this Committee are advertised on our website and via email each year.

CVRN Rising Stars Sub-Committee members include: 

• Jamie Vandenberg (Co-Chair) - Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
• Alice Gibson (Co-Chair) - The University of Sydney
• Isabella Tan - The George Institute for Global Health
• Chrishan Nalliah - Macquarie University
• Sonali Gnanenthiran - The George Institute for Global Health
• Nona Farbehi - UNSW Sydney
• Helen Parker - The University of Sydney
• Michael Falster - UNSW Sydney
• Peter Su - University of Technology Sydney
• Seakcheng Lim - Centenary Institute
• Jordan Thorpe - Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
• Sabine Allida - University of Wollongong
• Dhanya Ravindran - The University of Sydney
• Alex Ho Pang Chan - The University of Sydney
• Tamara Milder - UNSW Sydney
• Renping Liu - The Heart Research Institute
• Rukshan Ahamed Mohamed Rafeek – The University of New England
• Melanie Clarke - Southern Cross University
• Nnamdi Mgbemena - Charles Sturt University

Member organisations

The CVRN currently has 17 member organisations, including 14 Umbrella Organisations, 3 Affiliated Organisations and all 15 NSW local health districts. Cardiovascular researchers from these organisations are eligible to join the NSW CVRN as individual members. Cardiovascular researchers from Umbrella Organisations are also eligible to apply for CVRN grants and awards, attend CVRN events and apply for positions on CVRN committees.

Umbrella organisations

• The University of Sydney
• UNSW Sydney
• Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
• Hunter Medical Research Institute
• Centenary Institute
• Heart Research Institute
• Macquarie University
• University of Wollongong
• University of Technology Sydney
• The George Institute for Global Health
• Garvan Institute of Medical Research
• University of New England
• Southern Cross University
• Charles Sturt University

Affiliated organisations

• Sax Institute
• The Baird Institute
• Western Sydney University