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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Some events we’ve had!
