Dr. Rikeish R. Muralitharan (rikeish.bsky.social & @rikeishm) is a research fellow who completed his PhD in 2023 at the Hypertension Research Lab at Monash University under the supervision of Prof. Francine Marques, Prof Charles Mackay, and Dr Joanne O’Donnell. Driven by a passion for discovery science, Rikeish embarked on his PhD journey after completing a medical degree and clinical training in Malaysia. Dr. Muralitharan’s research focuses on leveraging the gut microbiota and host signalling of gut microbiota-derived metabolites to develop innovative treatments for hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. Currently he is leading the GRAINS-BP trial investigating the role of the gut-brain axis in mediating the beneficial effects of dietary fibre supplement in blood pressure regulation. Beyond the lab, he enjoys walking and traveling, finding inspiration in exploring new places and experiences.

Dr Yan Wang is an Early Career Researcher who has a strong passion for translational drug discovery. Yan has extensive experience in cardiovascular/renal pharmacology (both in vivo and in vitro). Her research focuses on novel treatments for cardiovascular and renal diseases, especially for end-organ damage (fibrosis) affecting the heart and kidney. Yan’s PhD work successfully led to a patent filing in 2018, on which she is one of the co-inventors. Yan has published 10 peer reviewed articles. Yan has presented her research in > 15 national and international conferences and has received >13 competitive awards. Yan has a strong passion about inspiring the next generation of scientists. She has (co)supervised 9 undergraduate research students, 5 Honours students and 2 Masters students.

Dr O'Donnell is an NHMRC Early Career Research Fellow and co-deputy lab head in the Hypertension Laboratory, Monash University, with A/Prof Francine Marques. She completed her PhD at WEHI, Melbourne, and postdoctoral studies at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Boston, where she studied the interplay between cell death, immune cell activation and autoimmune disease. Her research focuses on understanding the interplay between the gut microbiome and the immune system during hypertension.

Dr Annika Wilson is a clinical dentist and postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Tasmania. Her work focuses on public health and cardiovascular disease, using mixed-methods and implementation science approaches. She also lectures in the Tasmanian School of Medicine and Public Health Programs and has published across health and exploratory research.