Olivia Girolamo

Olivia Girolamo

Higher Degree by Research Candidate

Adelaide Medical School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Olivia is passionate about improving outcomes in patients with angina with non-obstructive coronary arteries (ANOCA), particularly those with underlying coronary vasomotor disorders. These patients represent a clinical challenge due to the complex nature of their conditions, and as such are often overlooked and unappreciated.

Olivia's PhD, titled Clinical Considerations in Coronary Vasomotor Dysfunction, aims to investigate this patient cohort, specifically looking at their diagnoses, treatment and ongoing patient-reported health, to improve clinical knowledge and future management.

Olivia is currently undertaking her PhD candidature in Medicine (Cardiology) with the Translational Vascular Function Research Collaborative at the Basil Hetzel Institute & The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, supervised by Professor John Beltrame, Associate Professor Rosanna Tavella and Associate Professor Chris Zeitz.

Her interest lies in patients who have angina and non-obstructive coronary arteries with underlying Coronary Vasomotor Disorders, such as Coronary Artery Spasm and Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction. 

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2022 Award TQEH Research Expo: Best Junior Clinical Presentation The Queen Elizabeth Hospital/Basil Hetzel Institute Australia $1000
    2022 Award THRFG/BHI Travel Grant The Hospital Research Foundation Group Australia -
    2021 Scholarship Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship University of Adelaide Australia -

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2021 - 2025 University of Adelaide Australia Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Medicine (Cardiology)
    2021 - 2021 Flinders University Australia Graduate Certificate in Health Promotion
    2020 - 2020 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences (Honours), First Class
    2016 - 2019 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences (Advanced)

  • Research Interests
    Cardiology Clinical Sciences Clinical Trials General Clinical Medicine Medical and Health Sciences

Olivia's PhD studies are funded by the Australian Government Research Training Program Stipend (RTPS) Scholarship.

Olivia is also a co-investigator for a 2022 Vanguard Grant from the National Heart Foundation of Australia, investigating the pathophysiological mechanisms of acetylcholine-induced Microvascular Spasm. 

Olivia has great interest in teaching within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Adelaide, currently working as an academic staff member in Physiology and supervising the research placement of 3rd year Medical Sciences Students.

  • Other Supervision Activities
    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2023 - ongoing Principal Supervisor Should right coronary artery assessment be routinely performed during provocation spasm testing? University of Adelaide Research Placement for Health and Medical Sciences Other Full Time Carmen Tang
    2023 - ongoing Principal Supervisor Should right coronary artery assessment be routinely performed during provocation spasm testing? University of Adelaide Research Placement for Health and Medical Sciences Other Full Time Mercy Sokiri
    2023 - ongoing Principal Supervisor Should right coronary artery assessment be routinely performed during provocation spasm testing? University of Adelaide Research Placement for Health and Medical Sciences Other Full Time Prabanjan Madhavapeddi
    2023 - ongoing Principal Supervisor Should right coronary artery assessment be routinely performed during provocation spasm testing? University of Adelaide Research Placement for Health and Medical Sciences Other Full Time Qijia Li
    2023 - ongoing Principal Supervisor Should right coronary artery assessment be routinely performed during provocation spasm testing? University of Adelaide Research Placement for Health and Medical Sciences Other Full Time Zihao Zhang
    2023 - ongoing Principal Supervisor Should right coronary artery assessment be routinely performed during provocation spasm testing? University of Adelaide Research Placement for Health and Medical Sciences Other Full Time Courtney Baker
    2022 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Coronary Artery Spasm Provocation Testing Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide Summer Research Project Other Full Time Ali Alsharifi
    2022 - 2023 Co-Supervisor Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA) Patients undergoing Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR) University of Adelaide Summer Research Program Other Full Time Linnette Chua

  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2022 - ongoing Member Coronary Vasomotor Dysfunction Working Group Cardiac Society of Australia & New Zealand Australia

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    2023 - ongoing Member European Society of Cardiology Belgium
    2022 - ongoing Member Australian Society of Medical Research (ASMR) Australia

  • Community Engagement
    Date Title Engagement Type Institution Country
    2022 - ongoing Florey Undergraduate Conference Judge Scientific Community Engagement University of Adelaide -
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