Dr Cassandra Malecki graduated with a Bachelor of Medical Science from the University of Sydney, majoring in pathology. She completed her PhD at the University of Sydney, with a focus on investigating modulators of disease severity in genetically triggered thoracic aortic aneurysm disease. During her PhD, she also coordinated the aortic tissue biobank established through RPAH and the University of Sydney. She is now working as a post-doctoral fellow of the Baird institute and the University of Sydney and is the Biobank manager of the Sydney Heart Bank. Her current research focus is on utilizing the precious resources of the Sydney Heart Bank to understand mechanisms of cardiovascular ageing, aortic disease, and heart failure.

Thomas Pirker is a medical and PhD student at the University of Otago, Christchurch, enrolled in the intercalated MBChB/PhD degree program. He is conducting research with the Christchurch Heart Institute, where he has developed a strong passion for cardiovascular health. As part of his PhD, Thomas has taken two years out of his medical studies to investigate the role of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in myocardial function. His research employs a range of models, including ex vivo and in vivo systems, to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying suPAR involvement in cardiovascular disease.

Fairooj Rashid is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Sydney under the supervision of Professor James Chong, affiliated with the Westmead Institute for Medical Research. Her research focuses on multidimensional profiling of immune-stromal-cardiac cell interactions in heart failure using cutting-edge technologies. With expertise in cardiovascular immunology, single-cell spatial analysis, and regenerative medicine, Fairooj is dedicated to advancing translational research in cardiac disease. Fairooj actively contribute to scientific discourse through presentations and publications in leading journals. Passionate about fostering innovation in biomedical sciences, Fairooj participates in interdisciplinary collaborations to drive impactful discoveries.

Bryan Williams is Chair of Medicine at University College London (UCL) and a Consultant Physician at UCL Hospitals (UCLH). In 2023, he was appointed Chief Scientific Officer & Chief Medical Officer at the British Heart Foundation where he oversees one of the world’s leading independent funding agencies for cardiovascular research. For over a decade previously he was Director of the NIHR UCL Biomedical Research Centre and a member of the Senior Director Team and Board member of UCLH. He is an a NIHR Senior Investigator (now Emeritus), and a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, recognition that he is one of the UK’s leading clinical scientists. In the King's New Year's Honours 2024 he was awarded an OBE for services to medicine.