Peter Psaltis

Professor Peter Psaltis

Professor

Adelaide Medical School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Prof Peter J Psaltis (MBBS (Hons), PhD, FRACP, FCSANZ, FESC)
 
Professor Peter Psaltis is an academic Interventional and Preventative Cardiologist who holds a Level 3 National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship and Faculty positions at the Central Adelaide Local Health Network, University of Adelaide and South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI). He is the co-Deputy Director of SAHMRI, co-leads its largest research department (Lifelong Health Theme) and leads its Heart and Vascular Health Program. Concurrently, he is Head of Interventional Cardiology at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Among national and state leadership positions, Peter is a Board Director of the Australian Cardiovascular Alliance and co-Chair of its Coronary Artery Disease Clinical Theme, past-President of the Australian Atherosclerosis Society, co-Chair of the South Australian Aboriginal Heart and Stroke Leadership Group, and co-Chair of the Heart Foundation’s South Australian Cardiovascular Research Network.
 
Peter has expertise across all three disciplines of basic, translational, and clinical research and leads bench-to-bedside projects spanning topics of developmental macrophage biology, vascular stem cells, inflammatory regulation of atherosclerosis, pharmacological modification of atherosclerosis, coronary plaque imaging, the modelling of biomechanical forces in coronary arteries and cardiometabolic disease. He has received >$22 million of peer-reviewed grant funding and received the 2021 NHMRC Marshall and Warren Award for Innovation. As of early 2025, Peter has published >240 manuscripts and book chapters. His research has global impact and reach, and he ranks in the top 0.05% worldwide for productivity and impact in coronary artery research over the last 5 years, also receiving numerous national and international awards for his scientific discoveries. Peter has supervised 10 EMCRs and graduated 13 PhD (4 as principal supervisor, all Dean’s commendation, including one Doctoral Research Medal) and 12 Hons students (all first class).

Research Overview

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, costing $150 billion/year. Over the last decade, Prof Psaltis’ bench-to-bedside program has made world-first discoveries of new cellular1,2, molecular3,4 and biomechanical5 mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis, and provided key insights on patterns of coronary disease6-8 and post-MI outcomes9-12. Peter’s work has also helped define the responsiveness of coronary plaque to different antiatherosclerotic therapies13-15.

Three themes of his work’s transformative impact include groundbreaking findings of:

  1. SCAD (spontaneous coronary artery dissection) as a non-atherosclerotic cause of MI 6,16,17;

  2. Anti-atherosclerotic properties of the anti-inflammatory drug, COLCHICINE 15,18-20; and 

  3. Ability of PCSK9 inhibitors to stabilise and regress coronary plaque after MI14,21-24.

Peter is also interested in atherosclerotic plaque buildup in arteries following heart attacks. Despite current care standards, heart attack survivors are at high risk of repeat, life-threatening events from continued arterial plaque build-up. His research aims to transform management after a heart attack by using CT imaging to visualise remaining plaque, monitor how it changes over time, and study how it relates to inflammation. This will allow us to better predict an individual’s risk, reduce repeat events, and develop novel treatments 4,8,25. 

*Psaltis first/last author. +Psaltis author.

1. *Toledo-Flores D, et al. Vasculogenic properties of adventitial Sca-1(+)CD45(+) progenitor cells in mice: a potential source of vasa vasorum in atherosclerosis. Sci Rep. 2019;9:7286. 

2. *Williamson AE, et al. Discovery of an embryonically derived bipotent population of endothelial-macrophage progenitor cells in postnatal aorta. Nat Commun. 2024;15:7097. 

3. *Fernando S, et al. Eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase regulates foam cell formation via translation of CD36. FASEB J. 2022;36:e22154. 

4. *White JB, et al. Changes to the serum lipidome and their relation to coronary plaque in the first six months after acute myocardial infarction. Atherosclerosis. 2025;408:120421. 

5. *Carpenter HJ, et al. On the nonlinear relationship between wall shear stress topology and multidirectionality in coronary atherosclerosis. Comput Methods Programs Biomed. 2023;231:107418. 

6. *Rashid HN, et al. Incidence and characterisation of spontaneous coronary artery dissection as a cause of acute coronary syndrome--A single-centre Australian experience. Int J Cardiol. 2016;202:336-338. 

7. *Bogana Shanmugam V, et al. Outcomes After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Caused by Ectatic Infarct Related Arteries. Heart Lung Circ. 2017;26:1059-1068.

8. *Baumann AAW, et al. Prevalence and real-world management of NSTEMI with multivessel disease. Cardiovasc Diagn Ther. 2022;12:1-11. 

9. +Spoon DB, et al. Trends in cause of death after percutaneous coronary intervention. Circulation. 2014;129:1286-1294. 

10. +Spoon DB, et al. Prediction of Cardiac and Noncardiac Mortality After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention. Circ Cardiovasc Interv. 2015;8:e002121. 

11. *Nguyen MT, et al. Thirty-Day Unplanned Readmissions Following Elective and Acute Percutaneous Coronary Intervention. Heart Lung Circ. 2023;32:619-628. 

12. +Nguyen MT, et al. High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T Reporting, Clinical Outcomes, and Health Care Resource Use. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7:e2438541. 

13. +Nicholls SJ, et al. Effect of Serial Infusions of CER-001, a Pre-beta High-Density Lipoprotein Mimetic, on Coronary Atherosclerosis in Patients Following Acute Coronary Syndromes in the CER001 Atherosclerosis Regression Acute Coronary Syndrome Trial: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Cardiol. 2018;3:815-822. 

14. *Nicholls SJ, et al. Effect of Evolocumab on Coronary Plaque Phenotype and Burden in StatinTreated Patients Following Myocardial Infarction. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. 2022;15:1308-1321. 

15. *Psaltis PJ, et al. Optical coherence tomography assessment of the impact of colchicine on nonculprit coronary plaque composition after myocardial infarction. Cardiovasc Res. 2025;121:468-478

16. *Franke KB, et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the clinical characteristics and outcomes of spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Int J Cardiol. 2021 Jan 1;322:34-39. 

17. +Dang QM, et al. The Australian-New Zealand spontaneous coronary artery dissection cohort study: predictors of major adverse cardiovascular events and recurrence. Eur Heart J. 2025 Jun 2;46(21):2012-2023.

18. *Schwarz N, et al. Colchicine exerts anti-atherosclerotic and -plaque-stabilizing effects targeting foam cell formation. FASEB J. 2023 Apr;37(4):e22846. 

19. *Montarello NJ, et al. Assessing the Impact of Colchicine on Coronary Plaque Phenotype After Myocardial Infarction with Optical Coherence Tomography: Rationale and Design of the COCOMO-ACS Study. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 2022 Dec;36(6):1175-1186.

20. *Psaltis PJ, et al. Persistent inflammation after myocardial infarction: Elevated IL-6 associates with impaired coronary plaque stabilisation despite optimal therapy. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2025 Sep 1:zwaf563. 

21. *Nicholls SJ, et al. Assessing the impact of PCSK9 inhibition on coronary plaque phenotype with optical coherence tomography: rationale and design of the randomized, placebo-controlled HUYGENS study. Cardiovasc Diagn Ther. 2021 Feb;11(1):120-129.

22. *Nicholls SJ, et al. Coronary Atheroma Regression With Evolocumab in Stable and Unstable Coronary Syndromes. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. 2023 Jan;16(1):130-132.

23. +Fujino M, et al. Achieved levels of apolipoprotein B and plaque composition after acute coronary syndromes: Insights from HUYGENS. Atherosclerosis. 2025 Apr;403:119145. 

24. +Di Giovanni G, et al. Impact of evolocumab on plaque phenotypic changes in patients with acute coronary syndrome and elevated lipoprotein(a) levels: a HUYGENS secondary analysis. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2025 Apr 8:zwaf211. 

25. *Allahwala M, et al. Type 2 Diabetes and Acute Myocardial Infarction: Insights into Admission Complexity and Readmission Rates in a Tertiary Centre. Heart Lung Circ. 2025 Sep 11. 

 

Media Engagement

 

Projects available for Honours 2026 and 2027

Project 1

Title: Human EndoMac progenitor cells - Isolation and characterisation

Description: Blood vessel formation is essential for tissue development, growth, and repair. Macrophages and endothelial cells play interlinked roles in blood vessel formation. In adult tissues, these cell types are thought to originate independently of each other. We have discovered unique adult stem cells in mouse tissues termed Endothelial-Macrophage (EndoMac) progenitor cells that give rise to both macrophages and endothelial cells and contribute to blood vessel formation after tissue injury. We have found analogous cells in human tissues. This project aims to isolate, characterise, and investigate the properties of human EndoMac progenitor cells, for therapeutic manipulation.                    

 

Project 2

Title: Investigating mechanisms underlying pathogenesis of scleroderma-related vasculopathy

Description: Scleroderma, a chronic autoimmune disorder, is characterised by inflammation, vasculopathy and fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Vasculopathy can affect both micro- and macro- blood circulation, resulting in blue fingertips or Raynaud’s phenomenon, fingertip ulcers, and lung and renal complications. Injury and dysfunction of endothelial cells, the building blocks of blood vessels, are thought to trigger vasculopathy of the skin that manifests as Raynaud’s phenomenon but the causes are poorly understood. This project will investigate the role of cellular senescence and autophagy in endothelial cell injury/ dysfunction and fingertip ulcers in scleroderma, to identify biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease management.   

 

Supervisors: Peter Psaltis, Shiwani Sharma, Sanuri Liyanage

Projects available for: Honours and Masters

Location: South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Level 6 South

Research projects start: Semester 1 and 2

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2025 - ongoing Co-Deputy Director South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
    2024 - ongoing Level E Professor University of Adelaide
    2023 - 2025 Deputy Director South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
    2021 - ongoing Head, Interventional Cardiology, Department of Cardiology Royal Adelaide Hospital
    2021 - ongoing Co-Lead, Lifelong Health Theme South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
    2021 - ongoing Program Lead, Heart and Vascular Health South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
    2016 - 2021 Deputy Leader, Heart and Vascular Health Program, Lifelong Health Theme South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
    2015 - ongoing Senior Research Fellow, Level C The University of Adelaide
    2015 - ongoing Co-Director, Vascular Research Centre South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
    2015 - ongoing Consultant Cardiologist Adelaide Heart Clinic
    2015 - ongoing Clinical Academic and Consultant Interventional Cardiologist Central Adelaide Local Health Network
    2013 - 2014 Post-doctoral Research Fellow Monash University
    2013 - 2014 Interventional Cardiology Fellow Monash Health
    2010 - 2014 Post-doctoral Research Fellow University of Adelaide
    2010 - 2012 Senior Research Fellow Mayo Clinic, Rochester
    2009 - 2012 Post-doctoral Research/Senior Research Fellow Mayo Clinic
    2004 - 2014 Senior Lecturer University of Adelaide

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2021 Award NHMRC Marshall and Warren Innovation Award, Most Innovative Ideas Grant for 2020 Round National Health and Medical Research Council Australia -
    2021 Award Best Cover Paper Journal of Clinical Medicine Australia -
    2016 Research Award Best Research Award, 5th International Congress on Lipid Metabolism and Atherosclerosis 5th International Congress on Lipid Metabolism and Atherosclerosis Korea, Republic of -
    2013 Recognition Top Ten Abstract Gordon Research Conference - Atherosclerosis, Stowe United States -
    2011 Award Early Career Investigator Award (Inaugural), American Heart Association Scientific Sessions Meeting, Orlando, FL, USA Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Council United States -
    2011 Award Best Poster Presentation Award, Mayo Research Fellows’ Association Mayo Clinic United States -
    2011 Recognition Top Ten Abstract Gordon Research Conference - Atherosclerosis United States -
    2009 Award The Ross Wishart Memorial Award for the Best Young Investigator Australian Society of Medical Research Australia -
    2009 Award Best mini-oral Presentation - Runner-up Award, Australasian Section, 33rd Annual Scientific Meeting International Society for Heart Research Australia -
    2009 Recognition Top 5% Abstract Ranking Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand Australia -
    2009 Award Nimmo Prize, Best Oral Research Presentation Royal Adelaide Hospital Australia -
    2008 Award Best Poster Prize, Research Expo The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2007 Award Hugh Gilmore Prize, Best Oral Research Presentation Royal Adelaide Hospital Australia -
    2006 Scholarship First ranked application, National Heart Foundation Post-Graduate Scholarship National Heart Foundation Australia -
    2004 Teaching Award Outstanding Teaching and Service to Medical Students The University of Adelalaide Australia -
    2004 Award Best Registrar Award, Selected by Interns Royal Adelaide Hospital Australia -
    2003 Teaching Award Outstanding Teaching and Service to Medical Students The University of Adelaide Australia -

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2023 European Society of Cardiology France Fellowship
    2015 Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand Australia Fellowship
    2010 University of Adelaide Australia Doctor of Philosophy
    2006 Royal Australasian College of Physicians Australia Fellowship (Cardiology and Internal Medicine)
    1999 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery

  • Research Interests
    Cardiology Cardiovascular Medicine and Haematology Cardiovascular System & Hematology Cardiac, Respiratory and Vascular Health Immunology and Infection Regenerative medicine (incl. stem cells) Biomedical Engineering
2026-30 Medical Research Future Fund, Early to Mid-Career Researchers (ID:2037779)

Peter James Psaltis (AI)

Title: Personalised cardiovascular risk assessment nano-tools for older people experiencing diseases of ageing: nanotechnology to transform clinical cardiology. 

 $4,239,608.53
2025-27 CALHN CEO Clinical Rapid Implementation Project Scheme Grant

Peter James Psaltis (Lead Researcher)

Title: Systematic lipid profiling and therapy optimisation in vascular surgical patients with Very High-Risk atherosclerotic disease.

 $200,000
2025-27 Heart Foundation Catalyst Partnership Grant (ID108710-2024_CPG). 

Peter James Psaltis (CIB)

Title: Hybrid 3D-printed imaging device for precision heart care. 

 $100,000
2025-27 Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) for Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease

Peter James Psaltis (CIB)

Title: Hybrid 3D-printed intravascular imaging device for accurate detection of high-risk coronary artery disease. 

 Tranche A Investment $1,000,000
2024-27 Partnership Projects PRC3 (ID 2044775)

Peter James Psaltis (CID)

Title: Developing an evidence-based clinical pathway for reducing coronary artery disease risks related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighters and communities with high exposure levels.

 $3,741, 231
2024-27 National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, Ideas Grant (ID2028599)

Peter James Psaltis (Associate Investigator)

Title: Predicting delirium vulnerability from pre-surgery neurophysiological measures. 

 $1,215,441
2024-27 National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, Ideas Grant (ID2029177)

Peter James Psaltis (Associate Investigator)

Title: Inhibition of asialoglycoprotein receptor 1: a novel strategy for atherosclerosis prevention. 

 $1,184,728
2024 Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Mature Grant Development Award  Peter James Psaltis $62,972
2023-27 National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, Medical Research Future Fund

Peter James Psaltis (CIG)

Title: Towards a culturally appropriate coordination, rehabilitation and secondary prevention model in primary care for Aboriginal people hospitalised with chronic disease. 

 $2,388,524.70
2023-26 National Heart Foundation of Australia, Level 3 Future Leaders Fellowship (ID106656) 

Peter James Psaltis (CIA)

Title: Defining a new player in atherosclerosis: The role of Adventitial Endothelial-Macrophage Progenitor Cells as an “outside-in” driver of plaque growth and stability. 

 $693,200

2023-26 National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, Development Grant (ID GNT2022337)

Peter James Psaltis (CIB) 

Title: Hybrid 3D-printed imaging catheter for more accurate cardiovascular disease detection.

 $985,058.50
2023-25 The Hospital Research Foundation Innovations in Disease Diagnostics Grant (ID 2022-CP-IDMH-014-83100)

Peter James Psaltis (CIB) 

Title: More accurate detection of heart disease in patients using the world's smallest 3D-printed imaging catheter.  

 $250,000

2023-25 The Hospital Research Foundation (ID 2022-CP-Heart-010-83100)

Peter James Psaltis (CIA)

Title: The “Can SeMaglutide Achieve Stabilisation of coronary atHerosclerosis after Myocardial Infarction (SMASH-MI)” study.

 $250,000

2022-25 National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (MRF2016053)

Peter James Psaltis (CIB) 

Title: The Asialoglycoprotein Receptor 1 (ASGR1): a novel target for atherosclerosis. 

 $999,989.20

2022-25 National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (MRF2016221)

Peter James Psaltis (Associate Investigator)

Title: Atheroma Progression in Clonal Haematopoiesis Investigation with Imaging, Biomarkers and Genomic Sequencing (ARCHIMEDES) .

 $996,384.68
2022-24 National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, Ideas Grant (ID2010804)

Peter James Psaltis (Associate Investigator)

Title: Measuring healthy ageing: finding an autophagy biomarker for a scalable clinical test. 

 $818,964.40

2022-24 The Hospital Research Foundation (ID 2022-CP-Heart-023) 

Peter James Psaltis (Associate Investigator)

Title: Biomechanical stress profiling of coronary atherosclerosis: Towards predicting plaque progression. 

 $250,000
2022 Vascular Foundation Grant

Peter James Psaltis (CIB)

Title: Evaluation of a novel blood-based biomarker to measure autophagy as a driver of atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease. 

 $30,000
2022 Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation (ID 20658466)

Peter James Psaltis (CIB)

Title: Human umbilical cord-derived haemangioblasts: discovery of a robust stem cell population for skin wound healing in children. 

 $40,000
2020-25 National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, Centres of Research Excellence (ID1196629)

Peter James Psaltis (CIH)

Title: NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence for Better Outcomes in Coronary Artery Disease. 

 $2,500,000
2021-22 The Hospital Research Foundation Translational Grant (ID C-PJ-004_Transl-2020)

Peter James Psaltis (CIB)

Title: World’s smallest 3D-printed imaging catheter to identify patients at high risk for myocardial infarction and optimise treatments.

 $70,000
2021-23 National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, Ideas Grant (ID2001541)

Peter James Psaltis (CIA)

Title: Defining a new player in atherosclerosis: The role of Adventitial Haemangioblasts as an "outside-in" driver of plaque growth and stability.

** Winner of Marshall Warren Innovation Award.

 $728,004.50
2021-24 National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, Ideas Grant (ID2001646)

Peter James Psaltis (Associate Investigator)

Title: Serial imaging of molecular and microstructural changes in atherosclerosis: tracking plaques towards destabilisation.

 $992,112
2020-2021 National Heart Foundation of Australia, Vanguard Grant (ID102981)

Peter James Psaltis (CIA)

Title: What role do local stem cells play in atherosclerosis?

 $140,000
2020-2022  National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, Development Grant (ID1175142)

Peter James Psaltis (CIC)

Title: Bioinvisible stents – a new device coating to repair cardiovascular disease.

 $671,960
2020-2024 National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies (ID1187193) 

Peter James Psaltis (CIJ)

Title: COLchicine CARDIovascular Outcomes in Acute Coronary Syndrome (COLCARDIO-ACS) Study.

 $4,238,895.50
2020-2023 National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, MRFF (ID1201375)

Peter James Psaltis (Associate Investigator)

Title:  Using Polygenic Risk Scores to Target Statin Therapy in Primary Prevention.

 $1,400,000
2020-2023 National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, Ideas Grant (ID1184571)

Peter James Psaltis (Associate Investigator)

Title: Novel nanoscale theranostic applications of porphysomes in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. 

 $632,690
2020 South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, seed funding.

Peter James Psaltis (CIB)

Title: Finding disease drivers for atherosclerosis: measurement of autophagic flux in a human cohort.

 $30,000
2019-2022 National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, Level 2 Career Development Fellowship (ID1161506) 

Peter James Psaltis (CIA)

Title: New approaches to target plaque inflammation in atherosclerosis.

 $386,724
2019-2022 National Heart Foundation of Australia, Level 2 Future Leaders Fellowship (ID102056) 

Peter James Psaltis (CIA)

Title: New approaches to target plaque inflammation in atherosclerosis.

 $200,000
2018-2020 National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, Project Grant (ID1142794)

Peter James Psaltis (CIA)

Title: The novel role of Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2 Kinase (eEF2K) in atherosclerosis.

 $650,531
2018-2020 National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, Project Grant (ID1140996)

Peter James Psaltis (CIC)

Title: Bone marrow macrophages: “Resident Evil” in the establishment and progression of multiple myeloma.

 $570,585
2018-2020 National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, Project Grant (ID1138917)

Peter James Psaltis (Associate Investigator)

Title: Role for zinc and ZIP2 in the action of nitric oxide and in vascular protection against cigarette smoke and cardiovascular disease. 

 $685,940.60
2018 Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation Clinical Investigator Award (VIERCI2017016)

Peter James Psaltis (CIA)

Title: Colchicine for coronary plaque modification in acute coronary syndrome. 

 $85,000
2018 Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Career Development Fellowship

Peter James Psaltis (CIA)

Title: A Novel Role for Adventital Macrophage Progenitor Cells (AMPCs) in providing a local source of macrophages in atherosclerosis. 

 $100,000
2018 National Heart Foundation of Australia, Tom Simpson Trust Fund

Peter James Psaltis (CIA)

 

 $16,500
2018 Foundation for Children. Project (ID 289)

Peter James Psaltis (CIC)

Title: Improving the long-term cardio-metabolic health of preterm infants through nutritional interventions: A role for omega-3 fatty acids?

 $124,550
2017-2020 NHMRC Project Grant (ID 1127159)

Peter James Psaltis (CIA)

Title: A study of the plaque - modifying actions of colchicine in stable and unstable atherosclerosis: from mouse models to clinical imaging

 $1,198,460
2017 National Heart Foundation of Australia, Vanguard Project Grant (ID 101370)

Peter James Psaltis (CIA)

Title: Colchicine for coronary plaque modification in acute coronary syndrome - A serial optical coherence tomography study

 $75,000
2017 National Heart Foundation of Australia, Tom Simpson Trust Fund Peter James Psaltis (CIA) $9,150
2017 Abbott Vascular Pty Ltd, Research Grant Peter James Psaltis (CIA) $10,000
2016 5th International Congress on Lipid Metabolism and Atherosclerosis, Travel Grant Peter James Psaltis $1,500
2015-2017 NHMRC Project Grant (ID 1086796)

Peter James Psaltis (CIA)

Title: A study of the origins of macrophages in healthy and atherosclerotic vasculature focusing on a novel population of resident adventitial macrophage progenitor cells (AMPCs)

 $451,125.50
2015-2018 National Heart Foundation of Australia, Future Leadership Fellowship (FLF100412)

Peter James Psaltis (CIA)

Title: Investigating the development of macrophages in atherosclerosis through a novel pathway of resident adventitial macrophage progenitor cells

 $412,000.00
2014-2020 ARC Centre of Excellence

Peter James Psaltis (Associate Investigator)

Centre for Nanoscale Biophotonics

 $23,000,000
2010-2014 NHMRC Post-doctoral Overseas Biomedical Fellowship (ID 0627055)

Peter James Psaltis (CIA)

Title: The myelopoietic potential of vascular adventitial progenitor cells (APCs) and their role in atherosclerosis

 $369,519
2010 Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Marjorie Hooper Overseas Fellowship Peter James Psaltis $20,000
2006-2009 NHMRC (co-funded), Post-graduate Biomedical Scholarship

Peter James Psaltis

Title: A study of the properties of STRO-1 selected mesenchymal stem cells and their potential for cardiac repair

 $110,385
Date Position Institution Name
2024 -  Level E, Clinical Academic, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Adelaide Medical School University of Adelaide 
2019 - 24 Level D, Clinical Academic, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Adelaide Medical School University of Adelaide
2015 - 18 Level C, Clinical Academic University of Adelaide
2004 - 14 Senior Lecturer, School of Medicine University of Adelaide

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2025 Principal Supervisor The role of biomechanical forces in coronary atherosclerosis progression after myocardial infarction. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Alex Binnie
    2025 Principal Supervisor Exploring novel approaches to residual inflammation in coronary artery disease Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Rajesh Pathy
    2025 Principal Supervisor Novel INfluential Factors in the natural histOry of Non-Obstructive Coronary Artery disease syndrome (INFO-NOCA) study Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Dang Xuan Anh Tran
    2024 Principal Supervisor The role of coding and non-coding RNA in atherosclerotic plaque phenotype in diabetic vs non-diabetic patients with peripheral arterial disease Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Benjamin Thurston
    2024 Principal Supervisor Predictors of recurrent ischaemic events post myocardial infarction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus Master of Philosophy (Clinical Science) Master Full Time Miss Momina Ahmed Allahwala
    2024 Co-Supervisor Improved classification of cardiovascular plaques in intravascular imaging using deep learning. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Yi Chen
    2024 Co-Supervisor Continuous imaging of molecular and microstructural changes in atherosclerosis by a 3d-printed multimodal endoscope Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Yujia Kong
    2023 Co-Supervisor The role of the asialoglycoprotein receptor-1 in immune cell regulation of atherosclerosis Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Demeke Geremew Debebe
    2023 Principal Supervisor New Predictive Factors that Drive Coronary Artery Disease Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Naomi Elizabeth Wattchow
    2023 Co-Supervisor Biomechanical Analysis of Diseased Coronary Arteries Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Yaofeng Ju
    2022 Principal Supervisor The Evaluation and Validation of Autophagy as a Novel Biomarker of Coronary Artery Disease Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Mau Tam Nguyen
    2021 Principal Supervisor Population Based Studies of Stroke Incidence, Subtypes, Treatments and Outcomes in South Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Joshua Mahadevan

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2020 - 2024 Co-Supervisor Nonlinear Biomechanics of Aortic System Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Xiaochen Wang
    2019 - 2024 Principal Supervisor Applications of Clinical Lipidomics to Metabolic Diseases: Methodology and Implications Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Jake White
    2019 - 2023 Co-Supervisor Fluid-Structure Interaction for Heart Attack Prediction Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Harry James Carpenter
    2019 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Inhibitory and metabolic effects of diabetes on yolk sac-derived endothelial-macrophage progenitors in postnatal murine tissues Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Sanuri Rashmitha Liyanage
    2018 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Discovery and characterisation of yolk-sac derived Endothelial-Macrophage progenitor cells in postnatal murine tissues Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Anna Emilie Williamson
    2018 - 2019 Co-Supervisor Plaque Rupture Prediction in Human Arteries Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Alireza Gholipour
    2017 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Control of adipocyte differentiation and metabolism by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-interacting kinases (MNKs) Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr James Edward Merrett
    2017 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Macrophages, Myeloma, Mouse Models and Methodologies Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Khatora Shanae Opperman
    2017 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Molecular Mediators of Macrophage Foam Cell Formation and Atherosclerosis and their Pharmacological Modification Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Sanuja Fernando
    2016 - 2022 Co-Supervisor OPTIMISATION OF SURGICAL TIMING IN RHEUMATIC MITRAL VALVE
    DISEASE    		 Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time APrf Ross Roberts-Thomson
    2015 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Triglyceride Rich Lipoproteins and Apolipoprotein C-III in Atherosclerosis Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Wenru Pan
    2008 - 2011 Co-Supervisor The Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in an Ovine Model of Anthracycline-induced Non-ischaemic Cardiomyopathy Master of Medical Science Master Full Time Mr Angelo Carbone

  • Other Supervision Activities
    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2025 - ongoing External Supervisor PhD Candidate University of Sydney - Doctorate - Dr Daniel Brieger
    2024 - 2024 Co-Supervisor Honours Student Flinders University - Honours - Mr Jiyon Ju
    2023 - ongoing Co-Supervisor PhD Candidate Flinders University - Doctorate - Dr Bronwyn Beelders
    2023 - ongoing Principal Supervisor Masters Candidate University of Adelaide - Master - Dr Shabman Torabiardakani
    2023 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Honours Student University of Adelaide - Honours - Ms Sylvia Kulesza
    2022 - ongoing Co-Supervisor PhD Candidate University of Sydney - Doctorate - Ms Pich Chhay,
    2021 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Honours Student (1st class Honours, scored 95%, top mark in Faculty) University of Adelaide - Honours - Ms Dang Xuan Anh Tran
    2021 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Honours Student (1st class Honours) University of Adelaide - Honours - Ms Pich Chhay
    2021 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Honours Student (1st class Honours) University of Adelaide - Honours - Ms Helia Abdohali
    2019 - 2019 Principal Supervisor Honours Student (scored 95%, top ranked) University of Adelaide - Honours - Dr Aaron Long
    2019 - 2019 Principal Supervisor Honours Student (scored 90%) University of Adelaide - Honours - Esma Kararmaz
    2018 - 2018 Principal Supervisor Honours Student (scored 90%) University of Adelaide - Honours - Sanuri Liyanage
    2018 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Honours Student University of Adelaide - Honours - Jake White
    2017 - 2021 Co-Supervisor PhD Candidate University of South Australia - Doctorate - Ms Danielle Ann Greaves
    2017 - 2018 Co-Supervisor PhD Candidate University of South Australia - Doctorate - Ms Erica Chung Tilley
    2016 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Honours Student Awarded Class IA Honours (scored 89%) University of Adelaide - Honours - Sanuja Fernando
    2016 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Honours Student Awarded Class IA Honours (scored 88%) University of Adelaide - Honours - Anna Williamson
    2016 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Honours Student Awarded Class IA Honours (scored 88%) University of Adelaide - Honours - Jonar Zareh
    2015 - 2020 Co-Supervisor PhD Student University of Adelaide - Doctorate - Daniel Scherer
    2015 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Doctor of Medicine Monash University - Doctorate - Dr Vimal Boganashanmugan

  • Mentoring
    Date Topic Location Name
    2024 - ongoing Principal Supervisor - Postdoctoral Research Fellow University of Adelaide Dr Marie-Claire Seeley
    2024 - ongoing Co-Supervisor - Postdoctoral Research Fellow University of Adelaide Dr Oscar Zi Shao Ong
    2023 - ongoing Principal Supervisor - Postdoctoral Research Fellow University of Adelaide Dr Sanuri Liyanage
    2023 - ongoing Principal Supervisor - Postdoctoral Research Fellow University of Adelaide Dr Harry Carpenter
    2022 - ongoing Principal Supervisor - Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow Vascular Research Centre, SAHMRI Dr Shiwani Sharma
    2022 - ongoing Principal Supervisor - Senior Clinician Scientist Vascular Research Centre, SAHMRI Dr Jessica Marathe
    2020 - 2022 Principal Supervisor - Post-doctoral Fellow University of Adelaide Dr Mohammadhossein Hassanshahi
    2017 - 2018 Principal Supervisor - Postdoctoral Research Fellow University of Adelaide Dr Thao Nguyen
    2015 - 2019 Principal Supervisor - Postdoctoral Research Fellow University of Adelaide Dr Nisha Schwarz
    2015 - 2018 Principal Supervisor - Postdoctoral Research Fellow Heart Health Theme, SAHMRI Dr Deborah Toledo-Flores

  • Board Memberships
    Date Role Board name Institution name Country
    2024 - ongoing Member Board Corcillum Systems Pty Ltd Australia
    2024 - ongoing Member Board Australian Cardiovascular Alliance (ACvA) Australia
    2018 - 2021 Member Board South Australian Postgraduate Medical Education Association (SAPMEA) Australia

  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2025 - ongoing Member Public Officer The Australian Atherosclerosis Society Incorporated Australia
    2025 - ongoing Member Patron Heart Support Australia Australia
    2025 - ongoing Member Executive, Philanthropy Committee South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) Australia
    2024 - ongoing Co-Chair Co-Chair, Coronary Artery Disease Clinical Theme Australian Cardiovascular Alliance Australia
    2023 - ongoing Member Member, Peripheral Artery Disease Clinical Theme Australian Cardiovascular Alliance Australia
    2023 - ongoing Member National Coordinator, SURMOUNT-MMO multinational clinical trial (Eli Lilly) Eli Lilly Australia
    2023 - ongoing Co-Chair SA Cardiovascular Research Network Executive Committee Heart Foundation Australia
    2023 - 2024 Member Executive Group Member Adelaide Health Innovation Partnership Australia
    2023 - ongoing Co-Chair SA Cardiovascular Research Network Executive Committee Heart Foundation Australia
    2022 - 2022 Co-Chair Heart and Stroke Leadership Group South Australian Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium Australia
    2020 - 2021 President President Australian Atherosclerosis Society Australia
    2020 - ongoing Member Steering Committee NHMRC-funded COLCARDIO-ACS study Australia
    2020 - ongoing Member Steering Committee NHMRC-funded Da Vinci study Australia
    2020 - ongoing Member Scientific Committee Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand Australia
    2019 - ongoing Member Leadership Executive Committee, Lifelong Health Theme South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) Australia
    2019 - 2020 Chair Scientific Program Chair Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand Australia
    2018 - ongoing Member Executive Committee Australian Atherosclerosis Society Australia
    2017 - 2024 Member Principal Investigator, COCOMO-ACS trial NHMRC Australia
    2017 - 2022 Member Imaging Core Laboratory Head, multinational HUYGENS study AMGEN Australia
    2017 - ongoing Member Clinical Council Australian Atherosclerosis Society Australia
    2017 - ongoing Member Grant Review Panel National Health and Medical Research Council Australia
    2016 - ongoing Member Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Committee South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) Australia
    2016 - ongoing Member Research Executive Committee South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) Australia
    2016 - ongoing Member Acute Coronary Syndrome Task Force SA Health Australia
    2016 - ongoing Member Research Executive Committee South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) Australia
    2015 - ongoing Member Bioscience Pillar Committee Member South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) Australia
    2015 - 2016 Member Scientific Program Committee and Interventional Stream Leader, 64th Annual Scientific Meeting Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand Australia

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    2018 - ongoing Member American College of Cardiology United States
    2018 - ongoing Member Australian Vascular Biology Society Australia
    2017 - ongoing Member Australian Atherosclerosis Society Australia
    2016 - ongoing Member Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (Fellow) Australia
    2016 - ongoing Member Australian Cardiovascular Alliance Australia
    2016 - ongoing Member Acute Coronary Syndrome Task Force, SA Health Australia
    2014 - ongoing Member International Society for Heart Research Australia
    2011 - ongoing Member American Heart Association, Councils of Basic Cardiovascular Sciences and Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology United States
    2009 - ongoing Member Australian Society of Medical Research Australia
    2009 - ongoing Member International Society of Heart Research Australia
    2005 - ongoing Member Royal Australasian College of Physicians (Fellow) Australia
    2004 - ongoing Member Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (Fellow) Australia

  • Editorial Boards
    Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
    2025 - ongoing Associate Editor European Journal of Preventive Cardiology - United Kingdom
    2025 - ongoing Editor Special Issue Editor - Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome, Heart, Lung and Circulation - Australia
    2024 - 2025 Editor Special Issue Editor, Role of Colchicine in Atherosclerosis, Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine - Switzerland
    2024 - ongoing Editor International Editorial Board Member, JRSM Cardiovascular Disease - United Kingdom
    2018 - ongoing Board Member Cardiovascular Research - United Kingdom
    2017 - ongoing Board Member Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Therapy - China
    2017 - ongoing Associate Editor Interventional Cardiology, Heart, Lung and Circulation - United States
    2015 - 2016 Associate Editor General Cardiology, Heart, Lung and Circulation - Australia
    2011 - ongoing Board Member Journal of Geriatric Cardiology - China

  • Offices Held
    Date Office Name Institution Country
    2021 - ongoing Co-lead, Lifelong Health Theme South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) Australia
    2021 - ongoing Leader, Heart and Vascular Program South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) Australia
    2020 - ongoing President Australian Atherosclerosis Society Australia
    2019 - 2020 Scientific Program Chair, Annual Scientific Meeting Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand Australia
    2019 - ongoing Principal Site Investigator, NHMRC-funded CAUGHT-CAD study Royal Adelaide Hospital Australia
    2018 - ongoing Principal Site Investigator, NHMRC-funded CAUGHT-CAD study Royal Adelaide Hospital Australia
    2017 - ongoing Head of Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging Core Laboratory South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) Australia
    2016 - ongoing National Lead Investigator, CLEAR study ESPERION Therapeutics Australia
    2016 - 2020 Deputy Leader, Heart Heath Theme South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) Australia
    2015 - ongoing Co-director, Vascular Research Centre, Heart Health Theme South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute -
    2015 - 2017 Site Investigator, CARAT study Royal Adelaide Hospital Australia
  • Position: Professor
  • Phone: 82222473
  • Email: peter.psaltis@adelaide.edu.au
  • Fax: 82222722
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: SAHMRI, floor 5
  • Org Unit: Medical Specialties
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