Integrating microbes, genetics, and molecular biology to prevent cardiovascular disease
The Hypertension Research Laboratory
Meet our amazing team
We are a multidisciplinary and diverse team who are passionate about improving cardiovascular health
Lab Head
Francine Marques
Professor Francine Marques is a Senior Medical Research Fellow from the Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation, a National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellow (Level 2), a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Emerging Leader (Level 2), and head of the Hypertension Research laboratory at Monash University. She was awarded her PhD in 2012 at the University of Sydney, in the field of the molecular genomics of hypertension. She was previously an NHMRC and Heart Foundation early career fellow during 2012-2016, and a Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellow (Level 1) during 2017-2021. She has won over 30 awards including the 2021 Australian Academy of Science Gottschalk Medal.
Outside the lab, she loves gardening, taking the dogs to the park, baking, and she is the queen of DIYs.
Co-Deputy Lab Head
Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Group Leader
Joanne O'Donnel
Dr Joanne O'Donnell is a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Early Career Fellow in the Marques lab, and is Deputy Lab Head. Previously, she was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, USA (2014-2017). Joanne completed her PhD at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (2011-2014), under an NHMRC Dora Lush Fellowship.
Outside the lab, she loves spending time with her family and travelling.
Co-Deputy Lab HeadPostdoctoral Research Fellow and Group Leader
Matthew Snelson
Dr Matthew Snelson is an advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian, a Heart Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow and chair of the Australasian Human Microbiome Research Network. His research investigates the role of diet in altering chronic disease states via modulation of the gut microbiota and intestinal homeostasis.
Outside the lab, he enjoys trail running, making music and spending time with his family
Lab Manager
Simona Antonacci
Dr Simona Antonacci is the Lab Manager of the Hypertension Research Lab. She received a Master of Science in Biotechnology (2004) and PhD in Plant Biology (2010) from the Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy. Over the years, Simona’s research shifted towards human biology and she worked for several academic and private institutions in the United States that allowed her to expand her cellular and molecular skills in mouse and human studies. During her time at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital (2020-2023), she worked on microbiota, epigenetics, and IBD, and became interested in the impact of gut bacteria on our health. She is passionate about teamwork, mentoring, and learning new things.
Outside the lab, Simona enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking in nature, trying new recipes, and growing way too many plants.
Associate Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Hamdi Jama
Dr Hamdi Jama finished her PhD at the Hypertension Research Lab in 2022 in collaboration with Prof David Kaye at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute. Her PhD project focused on elucidating the mechanisms by which gut microbial metabolites modulate cardiovascular disease. In 2017, she received a first-class honours project completed at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute characterising cardiac fibroblasts during cardiac inflammation.
Outside of the lab she enjoys hiking, outdoors and spending time with family and friends.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Rikeish R Muralitharan
Dr Rikeish Muralitharan completed his PhD at the Hypertension Research lab in 2023, co-supervised by Prof Charles Mackay. His PhD focused on the role of host receptors which activate a group of beneficial microbial byproducts called short-chain fatty acids. Prior to starting his PhD focusing on discovery science where his passion lies, Rikeish completed his medical degree and underwent compulsory clinical training in Malaysia. He also worked in an immunopathology lab as a medical officer and was involved in genetic studies of patients with inborn errors of immunity.
When Rikeish is not in the lab, he enjoys going for walks, trying out new food places, and travelling.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Leticia Camargo Tavares
Dr Leticia Camargo Tavares obtained her PhD degree in the field of Computational Biology & Genomic Medicine from Monash University in December 2023. Her PhD project focused on uncovering genetic risk factors associated with gastrointestinal disorders (including irritable bowel syndrome and gastroparesis), by exploiting and integrating phenotypic and genetic data from international cohorts and large-scale biobanks using high-performance computing and coding skills. Leticia also holds a master’s degree (MSc) in Pharmacogenetics & Precision Medicine and a bachelor’s degree (BSc) in Biomolecular Sciences, both obtained from the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Besides being a passionate scientist, Leticia is graduated in classical ballet. Outside the work, she loves travelling and spending time outdoors whenever she gets the chance.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Smriti Shrestha
Dr Smriti Shrestha obtained her PhD degree in Chemical Engineering & Bioprocess Technology from Monash University in December 2023. Her PhD research focused on exploring the molecular and structural dynamics of the different plant proteins (globulins), and their influence on protein gelation as well as the anisotropic structure development during high moisture extrusion. Smriti also holds a master’s degree (MSc) in Food Engineering and Bioprocess Technology from the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand. Her interdisciplinary background equips her to address complex challenges in food engineering and bioprocess technology.
When not immersed in research, Smriti enjoys swimming and travelling in her moments of leisure. She also loves spending quality time with family and exploring new recipes in cooking.
Associate Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Tenghao Zheng
Dr Tenghao Zheng obtained his M.D. degree in 2012 at Zhengzhou University, China. From 2014 to 2019, he pursued his doctoral studies at Karolinska Institute, Sweden and completed his thesis on identifying risk genes and variants for irritable bowel syndrome. From 2019 to 2022, Dr. Zheng worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at Monash University, Australia. His research during this period focused on the genetic basis and risk factors associated with gastrointestinal and cardiovascular diseases, utilising large-scale biobank data alongside advanced statistical and multi-omics methods. Since 2023, Dr. Zheng has returned to the clinical sector, working as a clinical data analyst at St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, where he specialises in clinical data management and informatics.
Outside his professional life, he enjoys travelling, playing with his dog, and playing video games.
Associate Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Liang Xie
Dr Liang Xie finished his PhD with Prof Charles Mackay, Prof Francine Marques and Dr Remy Robert in 2022. From September 2017 to May 2018, he studied in Charles's lab how pH and GPR65 regulate cytokine production in lymphocytes as a visiting research student. From his studies with Charles, Liang received his Bachelor's degree (BSc(Hons) equivalent) from Wuhan University, China in 2018.
Outside the lab, he's a passionate chorus singer and also enjoys movies, travelling and the outdoors.
Study coordinator and dietitian
Cass Mangan
Cass Mangan is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Research Officer in the Marques Lab. She is currently supporting Prof Francine Marques and Dr Matthew Snelson as a study coordinator to deliver the Heart Foundation Vanguard Grant investigation the relationship between intestinal permeability and human hypertension (the HYPER trial).
Outside of the lab, she enjoys baking, reading and morning yoga.
Research assistant
Wendy Qin
Wendy Qin completed a Bachelor of Biomedicine (2021) and a Master of Biomedical Science (2023) from the University of Melbourne. Wendy’s masters research was based at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health with Prof Anthony Hannan. Her project focused on the microbiota-gut-brain-axis in relation to Huntington’s disease and has led to developing strong skills in behavioural neuroscience and microbiota work. Now, instead of the brain, Wendy is curious about the impact of the gut microbiota on cardiovascular health.
Outside of research, Wendy enjoys indoor climbing, figure skating, and board games as well as spending time with her family and friends.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Chudan Xu
Chudan completed her honours and PhD at the Hypertension Research Lab, supervised by Prof Marques, Prof David Kaye and Dr Joanne O'Donnell. Her PhD project focused on discovering new molecules associated with high blood pressure and fibre intake. Chudan received a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and first-class honours Bachelor of Science from Monash University (2016-2020). She starts her postdoctoral position with us in October 2024, studying transgenerational mechanisms involved in cardioprotection.
Outside the lab, she enjoys spending time with her friends, hiking, and going outdoors!
PhD student
Evany Dinakis
Evany is a PhD student exploring acid-sensing mechanisms in the context of high blood pressure and stroke. She has a particular interest in dietary fibre interventions, and the interplay with the immune system. Previously, Evany completed her Honours in Pharmacology investigating post-ischaemic stroke inflammation.
Outside of the lab, Evany enjoys spending time with family and friends, and going to the beach.
PhD student
Chaoran Yang
Chaoran is a first-year PhD student of the Hypertension Research Lab under supervision of Prof Marques, Prof. Professor El-Osta, and Dr. Jama. He holds a research-based Master's degree from Tohoku University and a Master's degree in Statistics from Ghent University. Currently, he is immersed in exploring the molecular mechanisms that may elucidate the epigenetic changes in offspring induced by maternal dietary fibre through the gut microbiome, employing advanced bioinformatic tools in his research.
Outside of the lab, he enjoys reading books, travelling, and playing video games.
PhD student
Charlotte Barker
Charlotte graduated with a double bachelor’s degree in Science (Hons) and Music from Monash University. She received first class honours for her research investigating macrophage entry into the brain following ischaemic stroke, conducted in the department of Pharmacology at Monash University. Charlotte is now completing her PhD in the Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Pharmacology Group under the supervision of Dr Bradley Broughton, A/Prof Barbara Kemp-Harper and Prof Francine Marques.
Outside of the lab, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, knitting and travelling.
PhD student
Phoebe Cheong
Phoebe completed her Bachelor of Food Science from Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Following her passion in the microbiome, she received a Masters in Microbiome in Health and Disease from King’s College London. Currently, her PhD explores on the interplay of the gut microbiome on its role in the host’s blood pressure, especially under the influence of specific dietary fibre.
Outside of the lab, Phoebe enjoys tweaking recipes in conquest of good food, exploring botanical gardens, and watching Netflix.
PhD student
Zaahida Abdul Jalil
Zaahida is a current PhD student and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Science (Hons) from Monash University. She has a particular interest on how diet and gut microbiome can play a role on ovarian function, oocyte quality and female fertility. Zaahida is completing her PhD in the Ovarian Biology Laboratory under the supervision of Prof Karla Hutt, Dr Jessica Stringer and Prof Francine Marques.
Outside of the lab, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, trying new food places and watching movies/TV shows.
PhD student
Weiyan Xiong
Weiyan Xiong currently is a PhD student from the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department, under the supervision of Dr. Sushil, and co-supervision of Dr Hamdi Jama. Previously she got the master's degree at the South China University of Technology, China (2015-2018).
Outside the lab, she loves spending time with her family and her beloved cats.
Honours student
Charmaine Kwan Leung
Charmaine is an honours student at the Hypertension Research Lab and a past GEN3990 student of the lab. She completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Monash University in 2023. During her undergraduate degree, her GEN3990 research project focused on the expression of gut integrity-related genes and maternal fibre intake using qPCR, supervised by Prof. Francine Marques and Dr. Hamdi Jama. Currently, her honours project is on the SCFA-sensing receptors and blood pressure using knockout mice models, supervised by Prof. Francine Marques and Dr. Rikeish R Muralitharan. She is interested in learning new things and lab skills.
Outside the lab, Charmaine likes trying new cafes with friends, going to the gym and watching movies.
PhD student
Malindi Welathanthree Gurunnanselage
Malindi is a PhD student investigating the gut-brain axis and its involvement in hypertension. She is particularly interested in neurodegenerative diseases, and received a first class honours for her research on Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis.
Outside of the lab, Malindi loves to read, care for her plants and go on road trips with her friends.
Our mascots
Jessie and Ashy are our lab mascots. They keep us in check while attending some of the lab meetings unannounced. The girls are miniature Schnauzers who love their walks, treats and belly rubs. They are committed to cardiovascular health and love to exercise and eat their veggies. They are also great at giving cuddles when experiments are not going well.
