Professor Christopher Semsarian AM
Deputy Directory, Research Capacity and Capability
Head of Agnes Ginges Centre for Molecular Cardiology
Current Appointments
Head, Agnes Ginges Centre for Molecular Cardiology, Centenary Institute, Sydney
Professor of Medicine, University of Sydney
Cardiologist, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH), Sydney
NHMRC Practitioner Fellow
Qualifications
1984-1989 MBBS at University of Sydney
1996 FRACP (Cardiology)
1999 PhD in Molecular Cardiology, University of Sydney
2005 FCSANZ (Fellow of Cardiac Society of Australia & NZ)
2009 FAHA (Fellow of American Heart Association)
2013 FHRS (Fellow of Heart Rhythm Society USA)
2014 MPH at University of Sydney
Prof Semsarian is a cardiologist with a specific research focus in the genetic basis of cardiovascular disease. He trained at the University of Sydney, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and Harvard Medical School. A focus area of his research is in the investigation and prevention of sudden cardiac death in the young, particularly amongst children and young adults. Prof Semsarian has an established research program at the Centenary Institute which is at the interface of basic science, clinical research and public health, with the ultimate goal to prevent the complications of genetic heart diseases in our community. He has published over 150 peer-reviewed scientific publications, in the highest-ranking cardiovascular and general medical journals. He is also been the primary supervisor of over 30 PhD, honours, and medical honours students since 2003, and is an active member of the mentoring program at the University of Sydney.
As a clinician scientist, understanding the genetic basis of cardiovascular disease has been the cornerstone of my research endeavours. Using an integrated translational approach in human families, murine models, and cell culture systems, my research has elucidated the genetic causes of cardiomyopathies and sudden death, identified key signaling pathways involved in development of disease, and provided a platform for this knowledge to be directly translated to cardiovascular medicine by improved diagnostic and risk stratification strategies. My research has led to the reduction of both mortality and morbidity in families with genetic heart diseases.
