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About Us

GUT microbiome for Blood Pressure control (GUT-BP)

Our bold vision is to test, develop, and deliver new, ready-to-implement therapeutic opportunities based on the gut and the microbiome for everyone living with high blood pressure.

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GUT-BP logo

Our Story

Blood pressure is regulated systemically by several organs and, thus, requires diverse expertise across multiple disciplines. Despite available treatments, blood pressure remains uncontrolled in 68% of Australians. Solving the barriers to better blood pressure control requires rethinking how blood pressure is regulated and applying this to innovative solutions.

We are a team of biomedical researchers passionate about creating and cultivating a diverse and collaborative research community that empowers and supports the next generation of cardiovascular research leaders. Harnessing over 100 years of combined experience in blood pressure regulation, we came together in 2025 to find novel solutions for better blood pressure control and build the next generation of leaders in hypertension research.

Meet The Team

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Prof Francine Marques

Steering Committee Chair & Theme Co-Lead

Monash University - Victorian Heart Institute

Kate Denton.jfif

Prof Kate Denton

Theme Co-Lead

Monash University - Biomedical Discovery Institute

Grant Drummond.jfif

Prof Grant Drummond

Theme Co-Lead

La Trobe University, Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research

Steve Nicholls

Prof Stephen Nicholls

Theme Co-Lead

Scientific Advisory Committee Chair

Monash University - Victorian Heart Institute

Antony Vinh.jfif

A/Prof Antony (Bill) Vinh

Theme Co-Lead

La Trobe University, Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research

Katrina Colafella.jfif

Dr Katrina Colafella Mirabito

ECR Theme Lead

Monash University - Biomedical Discovery Institute

Rikeish Muralitharan

Dr Rikeish R Muralitharan

ECR Theme Lead

Monash University - Victorian Heart Institute

Joanne O'Donnell

Dr Joanne O'Donnell

Theme Co-Lead, Chair of the Capacity Building Committee

Monash University - Victorian Heart Institute

Simona Antonacci

Dr Simona Antonacci

Project Manager

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TBD

GUT-BP Fellows

ECR Theme Lead

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David Goodbody

Consumer Advisory Panel Chair 

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