Dr Audrey Adji

I completed my PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Macquarie University, Sydney, in 2016. My research focus is to characterise change in cardiac ejection pattern, cardiac contractility and arterial pulsatile function of human circulation due to aging and cardiovascular diseases. This is achieved using a hemodynamic approach, through application of both medicine and engineering principles to cardiovascular physiology. I have been working on this area since completing my Master of Biomedical Engineering degree from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, in 2001. I joined the Cardiac Mechanics Laboratory at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute in 2019 led by Professor Christopher Hayward, and St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research in 2021. My main research objective is to apply hemodynamic principles to new cardiovascular research area, including chronic diseases such as hypertension, valvular heart disease and pulmonary hypertension, clinical impications of the arterial (non-)pulsatility in individuals with continuous flow heart assist device, or "reduced pulsatility" mechanical circulatory systems, and acute critical illness such as shock and acute respiratory distress. My other research interest include potential deleterious effect of aging pulsatile circulatory function on the cerebral circulation. My current project includes studies on quantification of pulsatile load in elderly patients with heart valve disease and chronic pulmonary hypertension patients, improving assessment of interaction between cardiac contractility and vascular physical properties in acute shock, and phenotyping vascular characteristics in patients with metabolic syndrome. I also have an interest in advancing non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring through new techniques. To date, I have published papers in various scientific journals, and presented my work in numerous international and national scientific meetings. I am involved in Australian Hypertension Taskforce Working Group, and an advocate on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in academia through my lead in Women in Hypertension Committee of Hypertension Australia and Chair of Early Career Research Network of the Pulse of Asia.