- About
- People
- Projects
- Key Publications
- Funding
- Collaborations

The Translational Vascular Function Research Collaborative undertakes basic, clinical and epidemiological studies into cardiovascular disorders with the objective of improving the health of these patients. Currently the group focuses upon coronary heart disease and peripheral artery disease, although many principles are applicable to other vascular disorders. We aim to conduct interdisciplinary research using a collaborative approach – with results being directly integrated into clinical practice where possible. The research group includes both physicians and medical scientists located at the Basil Hetzel Institute, The University of Adelaide Medical School and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The integrative nature of the group provides a unique opportunity to ensure that innovations are translated from bench to bedside to health outcome, as well as the reverse.
We welcome new students to join our group where they can be involved in a diverse range of projects with diverse opportunities. We offer exceptional supervising and mentoring, and provide opportunities for students to participate in vacation research electives, Honours or PhD programs. Our projects, available through the University of Adelaide, include:
- innovative research studies harnessing knowledge from basic science to those identify new approaches to prevent, diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease, particularly in the emerging field of coronary microvascular dysfunction.
- a strong focus on cardiovascular health care and patient outcomes with projects to ensure new treatments and research knowledge assist the patient and are implemented correctly.
- the opportunity to improve health care quality by helping clinicians in their health-care decision making and strengthening the patient-clinician relationship.
Researchers
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Professor John Beltrame
Position: Lead Researcher
Theme: Cardiovascular Disease
Phone: +61 8 8222 6740
Profile: View profile
UofA: John Beltrame
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Professor Robert Fitridge
Position: Lead Researcher
Theme: Cardiovascular Disease
Phone: +61 8 8222 7711
Profile: View profile
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Associate Professor Chris Zeitz
Position: Clinical Director
Theme: Cardiovascular Disease
Email: christopher.zeitz@sa.gov.au
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Dr Prue Cowled
Position: Principal Medical Scientist
Theme: Cardiovascular Disease
Phone: +61 8 8222 7541
Email: prue.cowled@adelaide.edu.au
UoA: Prue Cowled
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Associate Professor Rosanna Tavella
Position: Clinical Data Manager
Theme: Cardiovascular Disease
Phone: +61 8 8133 4011
Profile: View profile
Research Gate: Rosanna Tavella
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Dr Peter Zalewski
Position: Senior Medical Scientist
Theme: Cardiovascular Disease
Profile: View profile
UoA: Peter Zalewski
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Dr Sivabaskari (Tharshy) Pasupathy
Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Theme: Cardiovascular Disease
Phone: +61 8 8222 7742
Profile: View profile
UoA: Tharshy Pasupathy
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Dr Anna Wawer
Position: Postdoctoral Researcher
Theme: Cardiovascular Disease
Email: anna.wawer@adelaide.edu.au
Profile: View profile
UoA: Anna Wawer
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Dr Adrian Abdo
Position: Research Officer
Theme: Cardiovascular Disease
Email: adrian.abdo@adelaide.edu.au
Profile: View profile
ResearchGate: Adrian Abdo
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Dr Clementine Labrosciano
Position: Postdoctoral Research Coordinator
Theme: Cardiovascular Disease
Phone: +61 8 8222 7719
Profile: View profile
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Kellie Fusco
Position: Research Assistant
Theme: Cardiovascular Disease
Email: kellie.fusco@sa.gov.au
Students
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Sarena La
Position: Student
Theme: Cardiovascular Disease
Email: sarena.la@adelaide.edu.au
Profile: View profile
Additional Research Staff Members
Additional staff members are listed in the BHI Research Report 2019
Student Alumni (since 2016)
Name | Degree | Year Awarded | Thesis title | Supervisors | Scholarship |
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Sarena La | First Class Honours, The University of Adelaide | 2020 | Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes of Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA) Patients Undergoing Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging | Dr Rosanna Tavella & Dr Sivabaskari Pasupathy | The Hospital Research Foundation Honours Scholarship |
Clementine Labrosciano | PhD, The University of Adelaide. Dean's Commendation for Doctoral Thesis Excellence. | 2020 | Readmissions in Australian Patients with Cardiovascular Disease | Prof John Beltrame & Dr Rosanna Tavella | Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Divisional Scholarship, The University of Adelaide |
Aakriti Lath | First Class Honours, The University of Adelaide | 2019 | Gender differences in Post Myocardial Infarction Angina | Dr Rosanna Tavella, Professor John Beltrame | The Hospital Research Foundation Honours Scholarship |
Victor Lamin | PhD, The University of Adelaide | 2017 | Molecular mechanisms of sex-differences in vascular reactivity of human internal mammary artery | Prof John Beltrame & Dr David Wilson | International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS, tuition fees) and an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) |
Tharshy Pasupathy | PhD, The University of Adelaide | 2016 | Novel clinical insights into myocardial infarction | Prof John Beltrame & Dr Rosanna Tavella | Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) |
This group focuses on the pathophysiology and molecular signaling of vascular disorders. Laboratory studies include the assessment of isolated human vessel function using myography, followed by a series of biomolecular assays aimed to provide a mechanistic understanding of the disorders and thus direct the translation to improvements in medical therapy.
This clinical research team utilises both invasive and/or non-invasive techniques to identify the presence of vascular dysfunction in patients with vascular symptoms including angina and intermittent claudication. These include the assessment of coronary artery spasm, coronary blood flow, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, popliteal artery vasodilation, subcutaneous blood flow and endothelial function.
This group focuses upon the health status of patients with vascular disorders including their symptomatic status, associated physical limitations and quality of life.
Please also refer to page 101 of the BHI Research Report 2019
Beltrame JF, Crea F, Kaski JC, Ogawa H, Ong P, Sechtem U, Shimokawa H, Bairey Merz CN; Coronary Vasomotion Disorders International Study Group (COVADIS). International standardization of diagnostic criteria for vasospastic angina. Eur Heart J; 2015. Aug 4. pii: ehv351. [Epub ahead of print]
McNamara RL, Spatz ES, Kelley TA, Stowell CJ, Beltrame J, Heidenreich P, Tresserras R, Jernberg T, Chua T, Morgan L, Panigrahi B, Rosas Ruiz A, Rumsfeld JS, Sadwin L, Schoeberl M, Shahian D, Weston C, Yeh R, Lewin . Standardized Outcome Measurement for Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: Consensus From the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM). J Am Heart Assoc; 2015. 4(5): e001767.
Pasupathy S, Air T, Dreyer RP, Tavella R, Beltrame JF. Systematic review of patients presenting with suspected myocardial infarction and nonobstructive coronary arteries. Circulation; 2015. 131(10):861-70.
Beltrame JF, Weekes AJ, Morgan C, Tavella R, Spertus JA. The prevalence of weekly angina among patients with chronic stable angina in primary care practices: The Coronary Artery Disease in General Practice (CADENCE) Study. Arch Intern Med; 2009.169(16): 1491-9.
Beltrame JF, Turner SP, Leslie SL, Solomon P, Freedman SB, Horowitz JD. The angiographic and clinical benefits of mibefradil in the coronary slow flow phenomenon. J Am Coll Cardiol; 2004. 44(1): 57-62.
Funding since 2010
Chief Investigators | Granting body | Project Title | Type of Grant | Total Grant Amount | Funding Period |
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Condina M, Klingler-Hoffman M, Plush S, Hoffman P, Licari G, Pasupathy S, Tavella R, Beltrame J | University of South Australia | Is it dangerous to be different? Discovering mechanisms of patients with Myocardial Infarction with nonobstructive Coronay Arteries (MINOCA) | Research Themes Investment Scheme (RTIS) | $38,012 | 2020 |
Beltrame JF, Tavella R, Zeitz C, Spertus J, Arstall M, Worthley M, Chew D | NHMRC (#1150036) | Value-Based Healthcare in Elective Coronary Stenting | Partnership Grant | $1,220,111 | 2018 - 2021 |
Zalewski P, Hodge S, Beltrame J, Murgia C, Tavella R | NHMRC (#1138917) | Role for Zinc and ZIP2 in the action of nitric oxide and in vascular protection against cigarette smoke and cardiovascular disease | Project Grant | $685,941 | 2018 - 2020 |
Pasupathy S | National Heart Foundation - SA Division | Support for MINOCA Data Collection in the Coronary Angiogram Database of South Australia (CADOSA) | Tom Simpson Trust Fund Equipment Grant | $15,000 | 2019 |
Appleton S, Adams R, Beltrame J | The Hospital Research Foundation | Broken Sleep - Broken Heart? Longitudinal follow-up of cardiovascular and cognitive outcomes in middle aged and older men in North-West-Adelaide | Project Grant | $147,000 | 2018 - 2019 |
Dreyer R | NHMRC (#1111039) | Sex Differences in Long-Term Outcomes of Young Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction | Sidney Sax Public Health Early Career Fellowship (Overseas) | $111,300 pa | 2016 - 2019 |
Beltrame J, Zeitz C, Lindahl B | The Hospital Research Foundation (THRF) | Potential mechanisms and treatment of post-infarct angina in patients with Myocardial Infarction with Non Obstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA) | Basil Hetzel Translational Grant | $750,000 | 2017 - 2020 |
Beltrame JF | The University of Adelaide | The anti-anginal benefits of Zibotentan in the Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon (CSFP) | Commercial Accelerator Scheme (CAS) Project | $87,000 | 2017 - 2018 |
Hodge S, Zalewski P, Roscioli E | NHMRC (#1099040) | Exploiting increased autophagy in bronchial epithelial cells: a new therapeutic approach for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) | Project Grant | $745,390 | 2016 - 2018 |
Adams R, Appleton SL, McEvoy RD, Beltrame J | Heart Foundation | Cardiovascular impacts of obstructive sleep apnea in men | Vanguard | $75,000 | 2017 |
Tavella R, Beltrame JF, Zeitz C, Ranasinghe I | Heart Foundation | EVALuation of Appropriate UsE of Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention - Value of PCI | Vanguard | $75,000 | 2017 |
Tavella R | Heart Foundation (Tom Simpson Trust Fund) | Coronary Angiogram Database of South Australia (CADOSA) Biobank | Equipment Grant | $14,030 | 2017 |
Zalewski P, Hodge S, Beltrame J, Murgia C, Tavella R | The University of Adelaide | Endothelia zinc deficiency as a previously unrecognized factor linked to cardiovascular disease risk factors | Investment for Success NHMRC near-miss grant | $9,992 | 2017 |
Beltrame JF, Zeitz CJ, Worthley MI, Arstall MA, Tavella R | Astra Zeneca: ESR-14-10465 | Ticagrelor In Coronary microvascular dysfunction (TIC) Program: Anti-anginal effficacy in primary coronary microvascular disorders | Project Grant | $300,000 | 2016 - 2017 |
Ranasinghe I, Beltrame J, Tavella R, Zeitz C, Mazumdar S, Cooper B | HCF Research Foundation: IRUA2015149 | Reducing unwarranted variation in early complications after cardiac pacemaker and defibrillator implantation among Australian hospitals | Project Grant | $250,000 | 2016 - 2017 |
Beltrame JF, Zeitz CJ, Tavella R, Worthley MI | NHMRC (#1062331) | The ACCESS Project -Assessment of Coronary artery disease using Ct Effectively for Stable Symptoms | Partnership Grant | $1,564,165 | 2013 - 2017 |
Beltrame JF, Elliott A, Rajopadhyaya K, Fitridge R | The Hospital Research Foundation (THRF) | Exercise Therapy for the Management of the Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon | $300,000 | 2014 - 2015 | |
Beltrame J, Worthley S, Chew D | South Australian Cardiovascular Research Development | Chronic Refractory Angina - Defining its Characteristics and Exploring Endothelin Blockade as a New Potential Therapy | Program Grant | $1,327,652 | 2011 - 2014 |
Horowitz J, Beltrame J, Morris R, Fitridge R, Zeitz C, Wilson DP, Sallustio B, Chirkov Y, Kennedy J, Cowled P | The Hospital Research Foundation (THRF) | TQEH Vascular Disease and Therapeutics Research Group: towards improved outcomes for vascular diseases | Program Grant | $1,040,000 | 2009 - 2014 |
Tavella R | National Heart Foundation Tom Simpson Trust Fund | The Coronary Angiogram Database of South Australia (CADOSA) Biobank | Equipment Grant | $12,500 | 2014 |
Beltrame JF, Zeitz CJ, Worthley MI, Arstall MA, Tavella R | Astra Zeneca: ESR-14-10465 | Ticagrelor In Coronary microvascular dysfunction (TIC) Program | $368,641 | 2014 | |
Beltrame JF, Zeitz CJ, Worthley MI, Arstall MA | University of Adelaide, Discipline of Medicine | The Coronary Angiogram Database of South Australia (CADOSA) Biobank | Equipment Grant | $10,000 | 2013 |
please also refer to the BHI Research Report 2019
Collaborator | Position | Institution | City | Country |
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Michael Worthington, James Edwards, Fabiano Viana, Robert Stuklis | Cardio Thoracic Surgical Unit (CTSU) | Royal Adelaide Hospital | Adelaide | Australia |
Professor Andrew Tonkin | Head of Cardiovascular Research Unit | Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University | Melbourne | Australia |
Dr Andrew Weekes | Medical Affairs Manager | Servier Laboratories | Australia | |
Professor Christopher Reid | Associate Director | Monash Centre of Cardiovascular Research and Education in Therapeutics | Melbourne | Australia |
Professor C. Noel Bairey Merz | Medical Director | Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre | Los Angeles | USA |
Professor John Spertus | Professor of Medicine & Director of Education and Cardiovascular Outcomes Research | University of Missouri, Kansas City & Mid America Heart Institute, St Luke’s Hospital | Kansas | USA |
Professor Bertil Lindahl | Professor of Cardiology | Uppsala University Hospital | Uppsala | Sweden |
Professor Peter Ganz | Maurice Eliaser Jr Distinguished Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine & Chief, Division of Cardiology | San Francisco School of Medicine, University of California & San Francisco General Hospital | San Francisco | USA |
Professor Harlan Krumholz | Harold H. Hines, Jr Professor of Medicine & Epidemiology & Public Health (Cardiology) | Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University | New Haven | USA |
Professor Attilio Maseri | President | Italian Heart Care Foundation | Florence | Italy |
Professor Hiroaki Shimokawa | Professor and Chairman, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine | Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University | Sendai | Japan |
Dr Guy Eslick | Research Fellow | Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health | Boston | USA |
Dr Caleb Stowell | Vice President of Standardization and Business Development | International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM), Harvard Business School, Boston Consulting Group & the Karolinska Institute | Boston & Stockholm | USA & Sweden |
Dr Neil Oldridge | Senior Scientist & Director, Fellowship Training | College of Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee & Heart Care Associates | Milwaukee | USA |