Christian Verdicchio

Dr Christian Verdicchio

Clinical Senior Lecturer

Adelaide Medical School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Dr Verdicchio is clinician-researcher with extensive clinical, research and tertiary teaching experience in exercise physiology, cardiovascular disease, arrhythmias and heart failure. His research interests have focussed on assessing cardiopulmonary exercise responses and exercise interventions in patients with atrial fibrillation, and the physiological mechanisms promoting cardiac arrhythmias in endurance athletes. He completed his PhD in Medicine at the University of Adelaide under the supervision of Prof Prash Sanders and was awarded Dean's Commendation for Doctoral Thesis Excellence for his PhD titled 'Exercise in Atrial Fibrillation'.

Dr Verdicchio was the Corporate Allied Health & Cardiac Rehabilitation Manager at Macquarie Health from 2021-2023 where he established and managed Australia’s largest private cardiac rehabilitation program across 10-hospitals in Sydney and Melbourne. He is now the Chief Executive Officer of Heart Support Australia which is the peak body in Australia overseeing peer support groups across Australia to improve the lives of heart disease patients living in regional Australia. He holds academic appointments at both the University of Adelaide and University of Sydney and continues with his research within cardiovascular disease. Dr Verdicchio is presently the European Society of Cardiology European Association of Preventive Cardiology Young Ambassador of Australia, and an Executive Member on the CSANZ Allied Health, Science and Technology Council.

Dr Verdicchio’s research has been accepted to present at the leading heart rhythm society, cardiology and exercise science conferences globally and nationally including the; Heart Rhythm Society, Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society, European Heart Rhythm Society, European Society of Cardiology and Cardiac Society of Australia. He has been selected as a finalist in the Young Investigator Award category at the 2018 ESSA Research to Practice, the 2019 and 2021 ESC Preventive Cardiology congresses, and selected as a finalist for the Early Career Researcher at the ESSA Research to Practice conference in 2021.

Clinician research with expertise in cardiopulmonary exercise testing and prescription of exercise in patients with atrial fibrillation, heart failure and complex cardiovascular disease. 

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2023 - ongoing Clinical Senior Lecturer University of Adelaide
    2021 - ongoing Clinical Senior Lecturer University of Sydney
    2019 - 2023 Research Fellow University of Adelaide
    2015 - 2019 Exercise Physiologist Cardiovascular Centre - Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders
    2014 - 2019 Sessional Tutor and Lecturer University of Adelaide
    2013 - 2016 Sessional Tutor and Demonstrator Univeristy of South Australia

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2019 Award Dean's Commendation for Doctoral Thesis Excellence University of Adelaide Australia -
    2019 Award ESC EuroPrevent Young Investigator Finalist European Society of Cardiology Portugal -
    2018 Award Research to Practice Young Investigator Awards Finalist Exercise and Sports Science Australia Australia -
    2016 Award Florey Post Grad Research Medical School Prize - Best Abstract 2016 University of Adelaide Australia -
    2015 Scholarship School of Health Sciences Divisional Scholarship University of Adelaide Australia -
    2012 Award University of South Australia Merit Award University of South Australia - -

  • Language Competencies
    Language Competency
    Italian -

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    University of Adelaide Australia PhD (Medicine)
    University of South Australia Australia Bachelor Health Sciences (Honours)
    University of South Australia Australia Grad.Diploma (Clinical.Exercise.Science)
    University of South Australia Australia Bachelor Applied Science (Health & Human Movement)

  • Certifications
    Date Title Institution name Country
    — Member ESC European Association of Preventive Cardiology -
    — Member Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand Australia
    — Member Australian Cardiovascular Health & Rehabilitation Association -
    — Accredited Exercise Physiologist - AEP Exercise and Sports Science Australia - ESSA -
    — Accredited Exercise Scientist - AES Exercise and Sports Science Australia - ESSA -

  • Research Interests
    Cardiac, Respiratory and Vascular Health Cardiology Cardiovascular System & Hematology Clinical and Sports Nutrition Exercise Physiology Human Movement and Sports Science Sports Medicine

University of Adelaide School of Health Sciences Divisional Scholarship 2015-2018

Heart Foundation of Australia EO Myers Trust Fund 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019

Lions Medical Research Foundation Travel Grant 2017 

European Society of Cardiology EHRA Travel Grant 2018

The Hospital Research Foundation Travel Grant 2019

University of Adelaide Dean's Commendation for Doctoral Thesis Excellence 2019

I have taught or continue to teach the following courses;

Exercise Physiology,

Human Physiology,

Advanced Exercise Science,

Principles of Exercise Science

Nutrition and Metabolism

MBBS III Year Research Supervisor
 

  • Other Supervision Activities
    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2022 - ongoing Principal Supervisor Exercise in Heart Failure University of Adelaide MBBS III Other Full Time Menthi Fernando, Amelia Etchells, Tayla Jackson & Fariza Choudhury
    2021 - ongoing Principal Supervisor Atrial Fibrillation in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Association With Exercise Capacity, Left Ventricular Filling Pressures, Natriuretic Peptides, and Left Atrial Volume The University of Adelaide MBBS (III Year) Other Full Time Nicole Kate Fernandez, Xin Yi Foo, Minh-Chau Le and Xan Nguyen

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    2021 - ongoing Representative ESC European Association of Preventive Cardiology Ambassador for Australia Australia
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