Monash University welcomes renowned cardiologist to lead Victorian Heart Hospital

Professor Stephen Nicholls

World-renowned cardiologist and researcher Stephen Nicholls will join Monash University as Professor of Cardiology and will also lead the new Victorian Heart Hospital (VHH).

A multiple-award winner, Professor Nicholls has written more than 770 manuscripts, book chapters and conference proceedings, and has raised more than $100 million in research funding.

Since 2012, Professor Nicholls has been Deputy Director and Heart Health Theme Leader at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI). He is also Professor of Cardiology at the University of Adelaide, Consultant Cardiologist at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Principal Research Fellow of the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC).  

Professor Nicholls’ research broadly focuses on developing new strategies to reduce the risk of heart disease, involving translational research spanning preclinical human and clinical trials.

“My research interests span the translational spectrum from the factors influencing the biological activity of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), through to the development and use of novel plaque imaging modalities and ultimately large-scale clinical trials of antiatherosclerotic therapies,” Professor Nicholls said.

“In particular, my goal is to bring together laboratory-based scientists, clinical researchers and clinical trialists to develop translational research programs that will seek to improve our ability to tackle the major challenges of diseases of blood vessels—diseases that lead to heart failure and electrical disorders of the heart.”

On accepting his position at Monash, Professor Nicholls said the Victorian Heart Hospital is a ‘once in a generation opportunity’ to develop an integrated Institution, dedicated to clinical service delivery, teaching and research, in the cardiovascular space.”

“The chance to lead a world class clinical team at MonashHeart, expand its research efforts and develop the connectors across the University will position Monash as a world-leading centre in cardiovascular disease,” he said.

Professor Nicholls said he is looking forward to working with a range of new preclinical collaborators across the Monash network.

“I’m particularly looking forward to working with the established CT and molecular imaging groups, as well as the world-class clinical trials groups at Monash, to expand my research in this space.” 

Professor Nicholls will start at Monash University and Monash Health in a part time role from October 8, transitioning to full time by the end of January next year.