Posted 12 September 2023
Clinician-researcher Associate Professor André La Gerche has been appointed head of SVI’s new Heart, Exercise and Research Trials lab.
Professor Tom Kay, Director of SVI, said the new lab will expand the Institute’s cardiac research capabilities and, with additional support provided by the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (VCCRI), accelerate the discovery of new ways to treat heart disease.
“André’s role, powered by partnership between SVI and VCCRI, and sitting alongside his clinical appointment in the Cardiology Department at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, will foster innovative research approaches to transform lives through medical research,” said Professor Kay.
André has gained international recognition as an expert in exercise cardiac imaging, sports cardiology and pulmonary vascular physiology. His work aims to embed state-of-the-art personalised diagnostics and therapeutics within clinical care.
The new partnership between SVI and VCCRI will be instrumental to André’s future success.
“As a member of the St Vincent’s Health Australia family, we are delighted to be supporting this collaboration to allow better understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of heart disease,” said Professor Jason Kovacic, Director of VCCRI.
The intersection between research and the clinic makes the St Vincent’s campus a key location for the new Centre.
“We are delighted that André will now be at our campus full time as he undertakes work across SVHM’s Cardiology department and SVI,” said Nicole Tweddle, Chief Executive of St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne.
“I completed my PhD here in 2010 so, in a way, this is like coming home,” said André. “I am excited to have the support and access to the talent pool provided by the new Centre and its partners.”
“We have a history of turning curiosity into clinical discoveries with global impact here in Fitzroy, and we are sure that this will continue with André’s appointment,” said Professor Kay.