Sean A. Hardy

Junior Research Fellow

I completed my undergraduate training in Biotechnology at the University of Newcastle, Australia. I then began my research career focusing on the cellular, molecular, and biochemical mechanisms of cardiovascular disease, with a particular focus on heart attack. In 2023 I completed my PhD candidature as an international collaboration between the University of Newcastle, Australia, and the Medical University of Graz, Austria, conducting research on campus at both institutions throughout. Following completion of my PhD, I was awarded the post of Junior Research Fellow of St John’s College to continue my research in cardiovascular diseases.

The work I am conducting under this fellowship is investigating the intricate crosstalk between immune and fibrotic responses in the development and wound healing of cardiovascular diseases. One branch of my work is utilizing translational models to trial the therapeutic potential of stimulating angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis after a heart attack. We hypothesise this will promote immune cell trafficking, fine-tune the fibrotic response, minimize tissue damage and reduce mortality. The other branch of my research is investigating the role of the often overlooked ‘micro-vessels’ in the heart and the mechanisms, which underpin adverse remodelling of these vessels. Adverse remodelling and dysfunction of these micro-vessels often precede the more commonly diagnosed large coronary artery disease and heart attack. As such, we aim to understand these early mechanisms of microvascular disease to inform novel therapeutic strategies for patients.