Media Releases

Congratulations to Professor Semsarian

5 December 2008: Congratulations to Chris Semsarian, head of the Centenary Institute's Agnes Ginges Molecular Cardiology laboratory, who has been awarded full Professorship by the University of Sydney.

Professor Semsarian leads a team of 12 scientists researching the causes, new treatments and possible cures for genetic heart disorders with a particular focus on sudden cardiac death in the young.

Earlier this year, Professor Semsarian published a major breakthrough in the cause of chronic heart failure - linking a double gene mutation with significantly increased risk of disease.*

Complementing his research interests, he is a practising molecular cardiologist at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, working with families undergoing diagnosis and treatment for inherited heart conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

In addition to his clinical work and time in the laboratory, Professor Semsarian manages the PhD program at the Centenary Institute.

Centenary Institute Executive Director, Professor Mathew Vadas, said the path to Professorship is a long and exacting process.

"The process is very intense. Candidates must demonstrate they have excelled in three main areas including research prominence, commitment to education and teaching, and community involvement," says Professor Vadas. "Professor Semsarian is a proven performer across these areas and it is wonderful that his commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Australians has been recognised by the University."

*Reference: Tsoutsman T, Kelly M, Ng DC, Tan JE, Tu E, Lam L, Bogoyevitch MA, Seidman CE, Seidman JG, Semsarian C (2008) Severe heart failure and early mortality in a double-mutation mouse model of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Circulation. 117:1820-1831.