About Us
The Centre for Vascular Research (CVR) has an outstanding reputation internationally as a centre for excellence in vascular biology. CVR is a multidisciplinary group with wide-ranging research interests in the expanding field of vascular biology spanning investigations of the causes and treatment of cancer, angiogenesis and new blood vessel formation, macrophage biology, platelet and megakaryocyte biology, complex systems biology, cell membrane biology, cardiovascular genetics, vascular redox processes, transcription and gene targeting. The Director of the Centre is Professor Levon Khachigian.
The CVR comprises over 120 research personnel, led by 15 independent group leaders (Till Böcking, Michael Buckley, Beng Chong, Miles Davenport, Katharina Gaus, Michael Hickey, Mark Hulett, Wendy Jessup, Mary Kavurma, Levon Khachigian, Leonard Kritharides, Chris Parish, Roland Stocker, Shane Thomas, Vanessa Venturi) and three unit leaders (Craig Freeman, Liesa Hindmarsh, Sudha Rao).
Mission Statement
To better understand basic mechanisms in cell and molecular biology, pathways of disease, and develop new treatments to combat vascular disorders.
History
The Centre for Thrombosis and Vascular Research was formed in 1992 by staff of the Departments of Haematology and Cardiovascular Medicine at Prince of Wales/Prince Henry Hospitals. The Centre's original purpose was to bring together scientists and physicians to research the causes and treatment of occlusion of blood vessels.
The Centre was afforded the status and structure of a Research Centre by the Vice Chancellor of UNSW. The majority of its research personnel relocated to UNSW in 1992 with the provision of additional laboratory space in the School of Pathology (now School of Medical Sciences). Beyond peer-reviewed funding sourced by the Centre’s group leaders and lab heads (see below), infrastructural support has been sourced from South Eastern Laboratory Services (SEALS) and the NSW Department of Health Research and Development Infrastructure Grants Program.
The CTVR commenced research and development operations on 1 January 1992, and was incorporated on 17 November 1993 (Reg. No. Y1851223). CTVR’s name was changed to Centre for Vascular Research on 1 April 2003.
National and International Standing
The national and international standing of CVR is demonstrated by outstanding achievements of individuals and by collective recognition.
Acknowledgement of the collective standing of CVR is most tangible through:
Publications in recent years in journals of the highest repute including Nature, Nature Medicine, Nature Biotechnology, Nature Immunology, EMBO Journal, Journal of Clinical Investigation, Journal of Experimental Medicine and Circulation Research
- Two concurrent NHMRC Program Grants; a major criterion for these awards is genuine international recognition
- Translational Program Grant funding from Cancer Institute NSW.
- Project Grant funding from NHMRC, ARC and National Heart Foundation
- Funding from international sources such as Human Frontiers Science Program (USA), Wellcome Trust (UK), NHMRC of Singapore, JS McDonnell Foundation (US), NIH and Australian Cancer Research Foundation
- Organisation of major national and international scientific meetings, editorial boards and considerable invited contribution to peer review and activities of learned societies
- Numerous invitations to present at international meetings of high calibre.
Notable personal highlights by CVR researchers have been:
- Two Commonwealth Health Minister's Awards for Excellence in Health and Medical Research
- Two Clive and Vera Ramaciotti Medals for Excellence in Biomedical Research
- Three GlaxoSmithKline Australia Awards for Research Excellence
- Two Australian Museum Eureka Prizes
- Two Young Tall Poppy Awards
- Two Ralph Reader Prizes
- AMGEN Medical Researcher Award
- Gottschalk Medal of the Australian Academy of Science
- numerous personal research awards from the National Heart Foundation
- numerous promotions and appointments within the NHMRC Research Fellowships Scheme
- numerous NHMRC Career Development Awards and CJ Martin Training Awards