https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news daily 0.75 2025-10-28 https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/chong-lab-receive-nsw-health-collaborative-grant monthly 0.5 2025-10-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/67edbd77-8049-4f7c-93d7-af2db50908fc/WRIC+2025+by+Homepix+Photography+0545.jpg Lab News - Chong Lab receive NSW Health Collaborative Grant. - Make it stand out Pictured: Prof. Tony Weiss, Dr. Max Cumberland, Prof. James Chong https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/cee28be1-f531-4306-be00-c623d8c0812f/WRIC+2025+by+Homepix+Photography+0559.jpg Lab News - Chong Lab receive NSW Health Collaborative Grant. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/shlv66xc1nb5h8t2qs9ck1d48xdl3l monthly 0.5 2025-09-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/7886268b-dd3a-4a0f-b21a-f84ed15b1291/fairoojRR.jpg Lab News - Congratulations to Dr. Fairooj Rashid, our Ralph Reader Prize finalist. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/a1fbdb28-1718-47dc-95ad-1146e4a3b5a5/FRJCRR.jpg Lab News - Congratulations to Dr. Fairooj Rashid, our Ralph Reader Prize finalist. - Make it stand out Professor James Chong and Dr Fairooj Rashid at the CSANZ CGM after her Ralph Reader presentation. https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/congratulations-to-dr-tejas-deshmukh-who-was-awarded-the-prestigious-nsw-ministerial-award-for-cardiovascular-research monthly 0.5 2025-10-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/fcdc2550-9ba0-404a-ac3d-b178eeef4922/Ministerial_award_2025_tejas_deshmukh.jpg Lab News - Congratulations to Dr. Tejas Deshmukh who was awarded the prestigious NSW Ministerial Award for Cardiovascular Research! - Make it stand out Recipient Dr. Tejas Deshmukh (second left) with Minister for Medical research, The Hon David Harris MP. Credit: Elin Bandmann, courtesy of NSW CVRN https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/congratulations-to-dr-leila-reyes-who-was-awarded-best-poster-for-the-category-drugstherapeutics-at-the-2024-australian-stroke-and-heart-research-accelerator-ashra-annual-partnering-summit monthly 0.5 2025-10-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/ef47f364-e580-49ee-8f31-d84b639807d8/ASHSRA_summit_2025_award.jpeg Lab News - Congratulations to Dr. Leila Reyes who was awarded Best Poster for the category ‘Drugs/Therapeutics’ at the 2024 Australian Stroke and Heart Research Accelerator (ASHRA) Annual Partnering Summit. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/congratulations-to-prof-james-chong-who-has-been-awarded-the-prestigious-2024-australian-academy-of-health-and-medical-sciences-jian-zhou-medal monthly 0.5 2025-10-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/9d5356e9-84a5-4bc5-9373-6f6c8718666c/Jian+Zhou+medal.jpeg Lab News - Congratulations to Prof. James Chong who has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences Jian Zhou Medal! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/our-work-on-pluripotent-stem-cell-cardiomyocyte-graft-arrhythmias-has-just-been-published-in-nature-cardiovascular-research monthly 0.5 2024-02-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/c51e6525-1c21-4d2a-9c93-fcb12c5f5567/Screenshot+2024-02-12+122214.png Lab News - Our work on Pluripotent Stem Cell Cardiomyocyte graft arrhythmias has recently been published in Nature Cardiovascular Research! - Make it stand out PSC-CM graft-host electromechanical coupling https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/congratulations-fairooj-for-winning-the-best-research-oral-presentation-award-at-the-westmead-association-hospital-week-symposium monthly 0.5 2025-10-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/bec3d3fe-97a5-4f05-b6c9-f50550e73342/Facetune_21-09-2023-16-16-39.jpg Lab News - Congratulations Fairooj for winning the Best Research Oral Presentation award at the Westmead Association Hospital Week Symposium! - Make it stand out Our PhD student, Fairooj Rashid, has received the Best Research Oral Presentation award at the Westmead Association Hospital Week Symposium for her project titled “Multidimensional profiling of immune-stromal-cardiac cell spatial interaction in heart failure patients”. Congrats, Fairooj! https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/did-you-see-our-research-featured-on-9-news-last-night-for-the-first-time-researchers-have-developed-a-method-to-reverse-the-loss-of-elasticity-of-damaged-heart-tissue-following-heart-attacks monthly 0.5 2023-01-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/60e385c8-925a-48e8-96a0-218623105437/Media+coverage.jpg Lab News - Did you see our research featured on 9 News last night? For the first time, researchers have developed a method to reverse the loss of elasticity of damaged heart tissue following heart attacks. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/our-work-tropoelastin-improves-post-infarct-cardiac-function-has-recently-been-published-in-circulation-research-read-it-here-httpswwwahajournalsorgdoi101161circresaha122321123d1e679 monthly 0.5 2023-01-11 https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/chr-christmas-dinner-2022 monthly 0.5 2022-12-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/c1832efc-dda6-4a98-9cba-d86df3fc67ad/CHR+2022+Xmas+dinner2.jpg Lab News - CHR Christmas Dinner 2022 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/world-heart-day-2022 monthly 0.5 2022-09-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/3f32c616-7882-459d-9f8b-443665f8b93b/World+Heart+Day.jpg Lab News - World Heart Day 2022 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/congratulations-to-dr-dinesh-selvakumar-for-receiving-2022-ralph-reader-prize monthly 0.5 2022-09-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/d611dd9e-d296-4308-be83-2bc55ce73569/Dinesh+Ralph+Reader+Award.jpg Lab News - Congratulations to Dr. Dinesh Selvakumar for receiving the highly prestigious 2022 Ralph Reader Prize from the CSANZ! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/chr-christmas-lunch monthly 0.5 2022-01-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1642475226471-ORH5LW114MH1WWN3C6FG/20211203_140611.jpg Lab News - CHR Christmas Lunch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1642475255205-J6VMMSNL5A4S5X2RBT1Z/20211203_140444.jpg Lab News - CHR Christmas Lunch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1642475322602-M97U4GO1ESOEV33VH23E/PXL_20211203_035104902.jpg Lab News - CHR Christmas Lunch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1642475323163-1OFQIO5R64Y5PYN5FNLA/PXL_20211203_035221669.jpg Lab News - CHR Christmas Lunch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1642475369458-7VK0ZR2F8XYVAUII7BCK/PXL_20211203_035625776.jpg Lab News - CHR Christmas Lunch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1642475448149-UWQ43WMXXXXJU5ES163F/PXL_20211203_035944134.MP.jpg Lab News - CHR Christmas Lunch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1642475385196-8EOS846SWDL6BSWJY4UF/PXL_20211203_040320347.jpg Lab News - CHR Christmas Lunch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1642475460853-FN5T4JTHNXH5S4WK8MUV/PXL_20211203_040902190.MP.jpg Lab News - CHR Christmas Lunch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1642475461995-GOHTFKWZ8275EVN2QJSX/PXL_20211203_041301316.jpg Lab News - CHR Christmas Lunch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1642475538436-S4MTWS1V6CY04NEE563Z/PXL_20211203_041507411.MP.jpg Lab News - CHR Christmas Lunch https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/double-the-love-and-double-your-impact-on-world-heart-day monthly 0.5 2021-09-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1630636301197-S6ZJ9TP7SUSZUD34FIB6/dirk-ribbler-_2T-ga3gbBw-unsplash.jpg Lab News - Double the Love and Double Your Impact on World Heart Day! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/mrff-grant-recipient monthly 0.5 2021-09-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1630370909936-C85K9LG8BZA46MZ3BCMJ/MRFF+grant.jpg Lab News - MRFF Grant Recipient! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/the-national-stem-cell-foundation-is-matching-your-donation monthly 0.5 2021-06-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1622683413979-4SN5S2SRW95I0R2KAUXI/DSC04088.jpg Lab News - The National Stem Cell Foundation is matching your donation! - Your donation… DOUBLED! The National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia has committed to helping raise $1 Million to ensure that Associate Professor Chong and his team have access to the essential funding that will cover project costs. To encourage as many people as possible to add their support they have pledged to match all donations of $500 or more. That means that for every gift of $500, $2,000 or even $10,000 the impact will be instantly doubled, whether it was raised by a group of friends, contributed by a family, or made as a gift in memory of someone close https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/merry-christmas-from-chr monthly 0.5 2020-12-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1608618925909-6QK4XHLN3QJSLSRB1AGY/EphA4GOUYAI_Wi-.jpg Lab News - Merry Christmas from CHR! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1608618923195-AX748XH74K9XPUBKV52D/1.jpg Lab News - Merry Christmas from CHR! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1608618976989-DM1FAO5JCUW5ZQVC7G09/FullSizeRender+%283%29.jpg Lab News - Merry Christmas from CHR! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1608618983179-NC5TRP5EF2T3VRUZV84C/FullSizeRender+%284%29.jpg Lab News - Merry Christmas from CHR! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1608618914938-FZM9V443L0KX5Q1WRACG/EphA5doVgAEZdJb.jpg Lab News - Merry Christmas from CHR! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1608618914908-MDSR4W1SLP62QJW0FU3C/EphA8EBVEAEpZit.jpg Lab News - Merry Christmas from CHR! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1608618919256-47GG2D1RHYQ2FXY1AN7D/EphA60yUwAARHBy.jpg Lab News - Merry Christmas from CHR! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1608618958792-ZE80L9NY9YAFJT3S2G49/FullSizeRender.jpg Lab News - Merry Christmas from CHR! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1608618960012-3SB069E2D3BRJTK823BS/IMG_3654.JPG Lab News - Merry Christmas from CHR! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1608618968878-WR04OTBLS23V4VNJ7S1K/FullSizeRender+%281%29.jpg Lab News - Merry Christmas from CHR! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1608618971935-KT30Q8UPZOHOOPHQJ8KP/FullSizeRender+%282%29.jpg Lab News - Merry Christmas from CHR! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1608618984405-TVL8YCQR5DMMEZ8S0DGC/FullSizeRender+%285%29.jpg Lab News - Merry Christmas from CHR! https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/afternoon-tea-for-lt-and-jett monthly 0.5 2020-12-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1606710529371-LH0TKMJOUJYQYUAOB2AZ/LT+and+Jett+farewell+-+2.jpg Lab News - Farewell LT and Jett! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1606710530849-YG23CK5O509CB872WYXA/LT+and+Jett+farewell+-+3.jpg Lab News - Farewell LT and Jett! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1606710553633-EP5SRNONQBV9BI3S4IF7/LT+and+Jett+farewell+-+4.jpg Lab News - Farewell LT and Jett! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1606798366006-UGO78Y6NMCG6YZI3Y6JL/LT+and+Jett+farewell+-+5.jpg Lab News - Farewell LT and Jett! https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/race-against-heart-disease monthly 0.5 2020-12-01 https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/category/Fun+stuff monthly 0.5 https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/category/Lab+events monthly 0.5 https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/tag/lab+events monthly 0.5 https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/tag/cardiac+regen+lab monthly 0.5 https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/tag/fun+stuff monthly 0.5 https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/tag/social monthly 0.5 https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/tag/centre+for+heart+research monthly 0.5 https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/tag/cardiac+gene+therapy+lab monthly 0.5 https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/tag/mymarathon monthly 0.5 https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/tag/heart+foundation monthly 0.5 https://www.chonglaboratory.com/lab-news/tag/farewell monthly 0.5 https://www.chonglaboratory.com/home daily 1.0 2024-07-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1606712109648-F3HT7E4URPI2FV3Y0M4A/image-asset.jpeg Chong Laboratory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1607037365334-8W63Q2JPQQGI85S4SWCZ/CompressedBeatingHeart.gif Chong Laboratory https://www.chonglaboratory.com/team-members daily 0.75 2025-12-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1629680793276-TMC4DOP7XB85Q3NNDSWJ/dfc2b8a0-dc30-4e11-8094-65c5130b7186.jpg Team Members - Dr. Samia Kazi PhD Candidate Dr Samia Kazi is a cardiologist who is currently doing a higher degree by research in premature coronary artery disease with Prof. James Chong and Prof Clara Chow. She completed her cardiology training at Westmead hospital which inspired her topic of interest. She is trying to identify the mechanism of myocardial infarction in the young population as it has a significant impact on society. Apart from research she enjoys reading, hiking and travelling. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/afaf68f1-32a0-4363-a9ea-2d939e54a745/Professional+Photo+of+Max.jpg Team Members - Dr. Max Cumberland Post-Doctoral Scientist Max completed his PhD at the University of Birmingham (UK). His thesis focused on investigating the effects pathogenic variants have on the development of atrial fibrillation in pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. In 2024, Max joined Professor James Chong’s lab at the Centre for Heart Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research. His research will focus on identifying novel methods to improve iPSC-CM engraftment. When not in the lab, Max enjoys bouldering, running and football. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/e2c75d01-1027-49fb-b67b-f306c2ee18fe/megan_weatherstone.jpg Team Members - Megan Weatherstone Senior Research Assistant Megan completed her Medical Science (Hons) degree at the University of Sydney. Their honours project focused on enhancing in vitro embryo culture conditions. She then worked in embryology research under Prof. Patrick Tam, with a particular focus on cell fates in the gastrulating embryo. Megan then collaborated with many research groups around Sydney to perform single-cell RNA sequencing which led her to Prof. James Chong, and joined the lab in 2025. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/cdbe35bc-2776-4860-abc0-e2e83675606e/_06I1582.jpg Team Members - Dr. Sally Kim PhD Candidate Sally Kim is a clinical cardiologist and a PhD student under the supervision of Prof. James Chong. She completed her undergraduate science degree at University of Sydney majoring in mathematics and physiology, followed by postgraduate medical school at University of Sydney. She completed basic medical and advanced cardiology training at Westmead Hospital and qualified as a specialist cardiologist in 2023. She will be focusing on identifying and reducing arrhythmogenic subpopulations of induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes, which will help progress these therapies to clinical studies. In her spare time she enjoys swimming, playing with her Finnish Lapphund puppy and teaching her tricks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/ead611c1-052f-4a02-9cf1-cf7183d8f63b/Alan.jpg Team Members - Dr. Alan Marcus Research Veterinarian Alan obtained his veterinary degree at the University of Sydney and worked as a vet before undertaking his PhD in wildlife epidemiology investigating hookworm infection in free-ranging Australia sea lion pups. After spending an inordinate amount of time camping on remote islands, he worked in the pharmaceutical industry for a few years as a research scientist and study manager conducting GLP/GCP studies for animal drug R&D. He then joined the Center for Translational Pain Medicine in the Department of Anesthesiology at Duke University, North Carolina, as a research scientist, focused on the development of countermeasures for cardiopulmonary injuries following toxic chemical exposures. His areas of interest remain broad, including parasitology, pain, cardiology, and emerging-infectious/wildlife disease. Outside of work, his hobbies include scuba diving, photography, drone piloting, hiking, and walking his cat Batty (pictured). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/92d36aa0-87b0-498d-b173-8b6c705fd494/rachael_menezes.jpg Team Members - Rachael Menezes Research Assistant Rachael completed her Medical Science and Honours degree at the University of Sydney. She undertook her Honours at the Heart Research Institute, investigating sex differences in endothelial cell mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetes-associated peripheral artery disease. In 2025, Rachael joined Professor James Chong’s laboratory at the Centre for Heart Research, within the Westmead Institute for Medical Research. She is currently involved in various projects investigating iPSC-CM engraftment. Outside of work, Rachael enjoys reading, drawing, playing netball and catching up with friends. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1630645544917-QCC55QZ0CB8II0SLNIY1/LR_photo.jpg Team Members - Dr. Leila Reyes Scientific Programs Manager Leila undertook her Medical Science Degree (Hons) and PhD at the University of Sydney. Part of her PhD studies took place at the University of Copenhagen and investigated oxidants/antioxidants in cardiac ischaemia/reperfusion injury. Her European adventures continued in Scotland, where she did her first post-doc at The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh investigating the role of neutrophils in glioblastoma (brain cancer). Leila returned to Australia and joined the Chong laboratory, where her research interest now lies in induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) and dissecting the sub-population of iPSC-CMs underlying arrhythmic burden in PSC-CM therapy. When not in the lab, Leila enjoys spending time with family and friends, outdoor activities, baking and cooperative card/board games. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1591174590174-UXZ7WGW3S60U653F14FA/202001072029977837255047614.jpg Team Members - Dr. Fairooj Rashid Post-Doctoral Scientist Fairooj finished her PhD under the supervision of Prof James Chong, focusing on multidimensional profiling of cellular interactions in heart failure patients. She completed her MSc in Biomedical and Molecular Science Research from King’s College London, UK and her undergrad studies in Biochemistry at Queen Mary University of London, UK. Before starting her Ph.D, she worked in the lab as a Research Assistant with a focus on cardiac regeneration of the ischemic heart using gene therapy. Apart from science she loves reading, practising Bangladeshi cultural music, swimming and weekend board games with friends. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/32db1ec5-49b2-4ed3-825a-803d47fb42d0/Nivedhitha_Photo.jpg Team Members - Dr. Nivedhitha Velayutham Post-Doctoral Scientist Nivedhitha completed her PhD at the University of Cincinnati (USA), in the Molecular & Developmental Biology graduate program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Her PhD research focused on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of postnatal cardiomyocyte proliferation and maturation, utilizing both in vivo and in vitro swine and rodent models. Following this, Nivedhitha began her first postdoctoral role at the Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology at Harvard University (USA), where she focused on improving the maturational characteristics and scalability of cardiac organoids derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. Nivedhitha moved to Australia and joined the Chong laboratory in 2025 for her second postdoctoral research experience. Her research interests lie in understanding the mechanisms of stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte grafts in infarcted hearts, with the outlook of progressing the technology towards clinical translation. Outside of work, Nivedhitha enjoys indoor gardening, reading, hiking and exploring vegetarian cuisine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/416254d1-0b34-46df-a946-123656742d8a/Portrait.png Team Members - Joel Mclean Project Coordinator Joel is the Project Coordinator for the Cardiac Regeneration team, where he supports research and product development initiatives. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and has worked across the pharmaceutical and medical device industries in both quality and administrative roles. His background includes experience in sterile manufacturing, quality control, and computer systems validation. In his current role, Joel is focused on advancing the team’s central cardiac regeneration project through pre-clinical and clinical development. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/6efa8ab7-c390-4b35-9f44-6facafdb9d19/IMG_8647.jpeg Team Members - Caitlin Drinkwater Research Assistant Caitlin completed her Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Sydney. She undertook her Honours at the Heart Research Institute, investigating how the presence of common co-morbidities impact endothelial cell dysfunction in the atherosclerotic plaque. In 2025, Caitlin joined Professor James Chong’s laboratory at the Centre for Heart Research, within the Westmead Institute for Medical Research. She is currently involved in various projects investigating iPSC-CM engraftment. Outside of work, Caitlin enjoys bouldering and crocheting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/883ba8e2-27f4-42b5-9c7f-45068ca9e833/Liam+Reynolds+-+500px.JPG Team Members - Liam Reynolds Research Assistant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/b72002bf-5952-4edd-8dd8-0295c3ec5d4a/Ian+Chin.jpg Team Members - Dr. Ian Chin Post-Doctoral Scientist https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/d94a297e-7e76-46b3-a27f-581407904853/RobHume.jpg Team Members - Dr. Rob Hume Post-Doctoral Scientist https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/7eef70ab-dc9a-4ff1-8142-c3bd4df00d0a/Capture1.PNG Team Members - Dr. Tejas Deshmukh Clinician Scientist https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1f5b8756-102e-42c2-bd33-04a583b467f7/siqi_chen.jpg Team Members - Siqi Chen Research Assistant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/4a745d30-498e-4ef8-9a6b-fb9a32f02124/Capture.PNG Team Members - Dr. Halina Leung Post-Doctoral Scientist https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/f590c3fc-929e-4618-af64-99aa3534285d/Shaan+photo.jpg Team Members - Shaan Kanagalingam Research Assistant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1614049451046-UHZN7N1YV54B9QKV2G00/laurentiustjhadi.jpeg Team Members - Laurentius Tjahjadi Honours Student/Research Assistant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1614049550732-FEMGAOA232Y5ROLRSKY5/Stephanie.png Team Members - Dr. Stephanie Yee Project Officer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/86a7898a-cb24-4c9c-904b-fed8ea434610/Emma+Wilkie.jpeg Team Members - Dr. Emma Wilkie Veterinarian https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/ea7269a2-dbce-4a1c-8068-28ef9d0719cf/dinesh_selvakumar.jpg Team Members - Dr. Dinesh Selvakumar PhD Candidate (Conferred 2023) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/99ecf143-5da3-4f64-a220-f7102177466e/81545676_703279320199271_5187479161014321152_n.webp Team Members - Dr. Emily McKinna PhD Candidate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1614049427711-N1R6YGPBQL3XNIA6KO9F/LachlanPearson.jpg Team Members - Dr. Lachlan Pearson Veterinarian https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/eca0c750-85fe-4b24-9ad8-d0ba3c83df98/Sindhu.jpg Team Members - Sindhu Igoor Senior Research Assistant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/e58ee7c3-2784-48e5-8d05-14732a019d65/zoe_clayton.jpg Team Members - Dr. Zoe Clayton Project Coordinator https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/eee9565f-c925-4e98-a8f8-9c941f0bc5da/Lunch2.jpg Team Members https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/547abcce-47d7-44eb-8827-4c804f8202fd/Lunch1.jpg Team Members https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/2bc165aa-c804-4aee-8246-ee6f00693486/original-1176E451-AA5D-4F33-99D3-E813B265D523.jpeg Team Members https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/00c34b1c-f182-4912-ab3d-025d6d2c66e8/2fd4cb57-7254-401a-a376-e693ab9bb93f.JPG Team Members Siqi and Zoe's farewell afternoon tea https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/d5a5f1af-6a2a-474f-a61b-5c644373f196/CHR_escape_room_WINNING_TEAM.jpg Team Members Winning team at the 2024 CHR Christmas Party https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/90af258b-1bd3-4f9e-93b2-3849dea3a285/CHR_lunch_group_photo_2.jpg Team Members 2024 CHR Christmas Lunch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/0d3d0662-1969-4532-8985-878839bbfb33/Sindhu+farewell+1.jpg Team Members Sindhu's Farewell Dinner https://www.chonglaboratory.com/research-projects daily 0.75 2025-10-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1591314626803-XT8FNV3C2PDAO6054PWO/Pig+cell+engraftment+.jpg Research Projects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1591314875618-EN7L66WVQL3EM8T82U4P/RobImage.jpg Research Projects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/754b690e-c4b0-4677-9f63-81d69db4af3a/Capture2.PNG Research Projects https://www.chonglaboratory.com/james-chong daily 0.75 2023-12-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1591078603414-64D4P0T8S8TXXL15ZTS0/DSC04098.jpg James Chong - Professor James Chong PhD, FRACP, MBBS As a cardiologist at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital, I have seen first-hand the suffering of patients with cardiovascular disease and heart failure. In many cases our current treatment options are limited. Although heart transplantation is a viable option for severe heart failure, there will never be enough donor organs to supply the increasing demand of our ageing nation. This motivated me to pursue a path in research, focusing on developing novel therapies for cardiac for cardiovascular diseases and heart regeneration. My research draws upon these diverse skills that I developed over the past 15 years or so. After my specialist medical and cardiology training, I completed a PhD at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute under the mentorship of Prof. Richard Harvey. Here, I learned powerful basic science skills including how to use genetic-mouse models to dissect the lineage origins of cell populations. My interest in stem cell research, led me to the University of Washington, Seattle, USA to work with Prof. Charles Murry, one of the world leaders in cardiac stem cell translational science. This allowed me to develop expertise in pluripotent stem cell culture and differentiation as well as multiple animal models of cardiac disease. My vision is for our translational science laboratory is to take these skills and knowledge and combine them with new technologies to create innovative, targeted therapies for treating heart failure. I hope that our research can pave the way for much-needed solutions to the epidemic of cardiovascular disease and in doing so, help save billions of dollars in health care costs and many future lives. https://www.chonglaboratory.com/research-opportunities daily 0.75 2024-11-07 https://www.chonglaboratory.com/publications daily 0.75 2024-02-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1591326057429-EUJO0A3AXFIRJYQIZ342/CellStemCell%2Bpaper.jpg Publications https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1591325684553-YV3ITVB9TLT4R6IU1VEB/RobImage.jpg Publications https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/21d0afb1-b586-4475-b1d9-697b789f30af/Circ+res+paper.PNG Publications Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1591325829845-B88I5JOWI0AMISRTNJ1H/resize-1579575456568690498capture1.jpg Publications https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1591325921307-DG2IKM0IGGC2NWDMB5V4/resize-1578550035636982516netosispaper.jpg Publications https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/02ec5045-f5aa-4bac-a75e-7f126d44d041/Screenshot+2024-02-12+122214.png Publications - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.chonglaboratory.com/media daily 0.75 2024-02-12 https://www.chonglaboratory.com/for-patients daily 0.75 2020-11-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1605498668676-913EUMT0VZ6NWR1JTBWZ/infarc_02.png Information for patients https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1605497516673-5MZ9KBJ09IZQNNF6HG2F/infarct3.png Information for patients https://www.chonglaboratory.com/gallery daily 0.75 2025-10-21 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researchers like Dr. Leila Reyes and Dr. Zoe Clayton carry out important investigations utilising state of the art equipment https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1622677992692-S6VEYL79SGA0GALZTEWI/PXL_20210527_005728853.jpg Heart Regeneration Project - Your donation will: Allow us to carry out essential assays and investigations on cultured stem cells grown in flasks! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e13c759b08c6c24f6ce8cec/1622677587821-D0TZZWQCWMT3SBOZ9P9U/James+Chong+1.jpg Heart Regeneration Project - Donate to progressing research into therapies! Contact - Jayne Wasmuth, Manager, Major Gifts The Westmead Institute for Medical Research Foundation jayne.wasmuth@wimr.org.au / 0434 602 623