Heart to Heart Seminars 2025: A year of groundbreaking research and inspiring stories

We kicked off 2025 with an unforgettable evening featuring Professor David Celermajer AO, a world leading expert in congenital heart disease (CHD). CHD is a general term for problems with the heart’s structure that are present from birth. It is the most common type of birth defect, affecting about one in 100 babies. Professor Celermajer shared his pioneering research and remarkable work establishing the National CHD Registry — the world's largest database of its kind.
We also heard from Senior Data Analyst, Dr Calum Nicholson, as well as Clarissa Pitsikas, an HRI staff member who was born with complex CHD, alongside her family.
Their moving story brought the real-world impact of HRI's research to life, demonstrating why our work matters so profoundly to patients and families across Australia.

Distinguished Professor Annemarie Hennessy AM led our June seminar, sharing insights from her Vascular Immunology Group's groundbreaking work on preeclampsia. Professor Hennessy is one of the world's leading experts on preeclampsia and her research is uncovering the causes of this dangerous pregnancy condition and its long-term impact on women's cardiovascular health — vital work that could transform outcomes for mothers and their families.

“If we can identify the causes of preeclampsia, make an appropriate and timely diagnosis, and assist the mother with a birthing plan that ends up with a live mother and a live baby – that’s why we do it. That’s the motivation,” she shared.

Our next Heart to Heart seminar featured the work of Dr Chris Stanley and his team, the Microvascular Research group. His research is focused on the tiny blood vessels in the microvascular system, which play a key role in regulating blood pressure, with a focus on understanding low blood pressure and septic shock.

“We aim to identify new targets that can reverse the drop in blood pressure seen in septic shock,” said Dr Stanley. “Septic shock is a common complication of sepsis and is associated with disruptions in arterial signalling, structure and mechanics, which ultimately contribute to the high fatality rates associated with the condition.”

September brought Professor Ben Freedman OAM, Leader of HRI's Heart Rhythm and Stroke Prevention Group, who discussed his 40-year career focused on stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is the most common abnormal heart rhythm, causing one in three strokes that are often severe and largely preventable. His team were the first in Australia and the world to use a handheld ECG device to test for AF and he leads the AF-SCREEN International Collaboration, which now has over 200 members from 40 countries. Stroke survivor Maryanne Bawden also shared her powerful story, illustrating the life-changing importance of Professor Freedman's research and the hope it brings to countless Australians.

We concluded the year with Dr Xuyu (Johnny) Liu, whose research generated tremendous excitement and interest. Dr Liu revealed how a common cruciferous vegetable, broccoli, could prevent and treat blood clots that lead to stroke. His Cardiovascular-protective Signalling and Drug Discovery Unit's pre-clinical trials confirmed that a natural chemical found in broccoli can reduce harmful blood clot formation and even improve the performance of clot-busting drugs. The level of public interest in this accessible, food-based approach to cardiovascular health was extraordinary.