Dr Sarena La
Ext-Funded Research Fellow (A)
School of Medicine
College of Health
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD (as Co-Supervisor) - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Dr Sarena La recently completed her PhD with the Translational Vascular Function Research Collaborative at the University of Adelaide, Basil Hetzel Institute & The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and awarded the Deans Commendation for Doctoral Thesis Excellence. She is currently continuing her research in clinical cardiology with the University of Adelaide, funded by the Heart Foundation's South Australian Kick Start Fellowship 2025. Dr La's interest and expertise lies in patients with the NOCA (Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries) Syndrome, with special interest in health outcomes and patient advocacy.
What are the NOCA Syndromes?
Angina is the term used for chest pain or discomfort due to myocardial ischaemia (inadequate supply of blood and oxygen to the myocardium). This usually arises from build up of plaque (atherosclerosis) in the coronary arteries which results in a demand-supply mismatch of oxygen. Those with atherosclerotic blockages are diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD), which is the leading cause of death globally.
However, the term NOCA Syndrome describes patients with chest pain but non-obstructive coronary arteries. These disorders include the chronic form ANOCA (Angina with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries) and the acute form MINOCA (Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries). The chest pain these patients experience still arises from myocardial ischaemia, but from conditions other than CAD, such as coronary vasomotor disorders (i.e. vasospastic angina or coronary microvascular dysfunction). Due to the absence of CAD, those with NOCA are often overlooked clinically and are often discharged with 'non-cardiac chest pain' despite the possibility of having underlying coronary vasomotor disorders. This issue can be seen around the world, as reflected by the International Heart Spasms Alliance which is a global NOCA patient-led advocacy group.
The NOCA Syndromes may afflict up to 15,000 Australians each year, and although research on this topic has recently gained rapid interest, there remain large gaps in knowledge on these NOCA patients. Our group is recognised as an international leader in this field.
Sarena is available to supervise undergraduate and honours students.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 - ongoing | Postdoctoral Research Fellow | University of Adelaide |
| 2025 - 2025 | Affiliate Lecturer | University of Adelaide |
| 2024 - ongoing | Cardiovascular Researcher | Queen Elizabeth Hospital |
| 2023 - 2023 | Teaching and Marking | University of Adelaide |
| 2022 - 2022 | Conference Coordinator Assistance | University of Adelaide |
| 2020 - 2024 | Research Data Entry Assistant | University of Adelaide |
| Date | Type | Title | Institution Name | Country | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Recognition | PhD Rising Star in Cardiovascular Research | South Australian Cardiovascular Network | Australia | 1000 |
| 2025 | Research Award | Deans Commendation for Doctoral Thesis Excellence | University of Adelaide | Australia | - |
| 2023 | Award | The People's Choice Award | South Australian Cardiovascular Research Network | Australia | - |
| 2023 | Research Award | New Investigator Poster Prize | Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ) | Australia | 500 |
| 2022 | Research Award | South Australian Cardiovascular Showcase Poster Award | Heart Foundation | Australia | 100 |
| 2021 | Research Award | Innovation & Commercial Partners Prize | University of Adelaide | Australia | 100 |
| 2020 | Award | Adelaide Graduate Award | University of Adelaide | Australia | - |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 - 2024 | University of Adelaide | Australia | PhD (medicine) |
| 2019 - 2020 | University of Adelaide | Australia | Health and Medical Sciences (Honours), First Class |
| 2016 - 2018 | University of Adelaide | Australia | Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences (Advanced) |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Girolamo, O., Ismail, M. D., Tavella, R., Ooi, E. L., Pasupathy, S., La, S., . . . Beltrame, J. (2026). Functional coronary angiogram findings in angina with non-obstructive coronary arteries patients with coronary slow flow. American Heart Journal, 292, 10 pages. Scopus1 |
| 2025 | La, S., Tavella, R., Wu, J., Spertus, J. A., Pasupathy, S., Girolamo, O., . . . Beltrame, J. (2025). The Patient Journey in Chronic Coronary Syndromes with/without Obstructive Coronary Arteries. European Heart Journal - Quality of Care and Clinical Outcomes, 11(6), 806-815. Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1 |
| 2025 | Ford, T., Zeitz, C., Spiro, J., Yong, A., Layland, J., Watts, M., . . . Beltrame, J. F. (2025). Functional Coronary Angiography for the Diagnosis of Coronary Vasomotor Disorders. Heart Lung and Circulation, 34(9), e89-e103. Scopus2 WoS1 Europe PMC1 |
| 2024 | Beltrame, J. F., La, S., & Marathe, J. (2024). Clinical Utility of the Humble Exercise ECG Stress Test.. J Am Coll Cardiol, 83(2), 300-302. |
| 2024 | La, S., Beltrame, J., & Tavella, R. (2024). Sex-specific and ethnicity-specific differences in MINOCA. Nature Reviews Cardiology, 21(3), 192-202. Scopus13 WoS15 Europe PMC9 |
| 2023 | La, S., Tavella, R., Wu, J., Pasupathy, S., Zeitz, C., Worthley, M., . . . Beltrame, J. F. (2023). Angina and Non-Obstructive Coronary Artery (ANOCA) Patients with Coronary Vasomotor Disorders. Life, 13(11), 2190-1-2190-12. Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC3 |
| 2023 | Pasupathy, S., La, S., Tavella, R., Zeitz, C., Worthley, M., Sinhal, A., . . . Beltrame, J. F. (2023). Do Chest Pain Characteristics in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Differ between Those with and without Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease?. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(14), 4595-1-4595-9. Scopus6 WoS7 Europe PMC5 |
| 2022 | La, S., Tavella, R., Pasupathy, S., & Beltrame, J. F. (2022). Clinico-pathophysiological considerations in coronary microvascular disorders. Vessel Plus, 6, 1-11. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Smith, J., Tavella, R., La, S., Wu, J., Worthley, M., Arstall, M., . . . Beltrame, J. (2025). Sex Differences in Angina and Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries, chest pain characteristics. In Heart Lung and Circulation Vol. 34 (pp. 449). Brisbane, Australia: Elsevier. |
| 2025 | Smith, J. H., & Tavella, R. (2025). Sex differences in 5-year clinical coronary events in patients with angina and non-obstructive coronary arteries. In S. La, J. Wu, M. Worthley, M. Arstall, A. Sinhal, C. Zeitz, & J. Beltrame (Eds.), Heart Lung and Circulation Vol. 34 (pp. 448-449). Brisbane, Australia: Elsevier. |
| 2025 | La, S., Tavella, R., Brown, S., Mccall, C., Pompa, A., Shumaker, T., & Beltrame, J. (2025). Your heart speaks survey programme - a global survey on the ANOCA patient journey (diagnosis). In EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL Vol. 46 (pp. 1 page). OXFORD UNIV PRESS. DOI |
| 2024 | Girolamo, O., Ismali, M. D., Tavella, R., Ooi, E. L., La, S., Sheikh, A., . . . Beltrame, J. (2024). Coronary slow flow as measured by corrected TIMI frame counts is associated with impaired microvascular resistance. In EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL Vol. 45 (pp. 1 page). OXFORD UNIV PRESS. DOI |
| 2024 | La, S., Tavella, R., Wu, J., Spertus, J., Pasupathy, S., Girolamo, O., . . . Beltrame, J. (2024). Chronic Coronary Syndromes with/without obstructive coronary arteries: are there differences in ongoing chest pain?. In EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL Vol. 45 (pp. 1 page). OXFORD UNIV PRESS. DOI |
| 2023 | La, S., Tavella, R., Wu, J., Girolamo, O., Zeitz, C., Arstall, M., . . . Beltrame, J. (2023). Health outcomes in patients with chronic coronary syndromes due to obstructive or non-obstructive coronary arteries. In EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL Vol. 44 (pp. 1 page). NETHERLANDS, Amsterdam: OXFORD UNIV PRESS. DOI |
| 2023 | La, S., Tavella, R., Wu, J., Zeitz, C., Arstall, M., Sinhal, A., . . . Beltrame, J. (2023). Coronary vasomotor disorders in ANOCA patients: insights from the CADOSA registry. In EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL Vol. 44 (pp. 1 page). NETHERLANDS, Amsterdam: OXFORD UNIV PRESS. DOI |
| 2023 | La, S., Tavella, R., Wu, J., Zeitz, C., Arstall, M., Sinhal, A., . . . Beltrame, J. (2023). Does ischaemia testing predict worse adverse outcomes in ANOCA patients?. In EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL Vol. 44 (pp. 1 page). NETHERLANDS, Amsterdam: OXFORD UNIV PRESS. DOI |
| 2023 | La, S., Tavella, R., Wu, J., Girolamo, O., Zeitz, C., Arstall, M., . . . Beltrame, J. (2023). Health Outcomes in Chronic Coronary Syndromes.. In Heart Lung and Circulation Vol. 32 (pp. S286). Adelaide, Australia: Elsevier. DOI |
| 2023 | La, S., Tavella, R., Wu, J., Zeitz, C., Arstall, M., Sinhal, A., . . . Beltrame, J. (2023). Coronary Vasomotor Disorders in ANOCA Patients: Insights From the CADOSA Registry. In Heart, Lung and Circulation Vol. 32 (pp. S277). Elsevier BV. DOI |
| 2023 | La, S., Tavella, R., Wu, J., Zeitz, C., Arstall, M., Sinhal, A., . . . Beltrame, J. (2023). Does ischaemia predict worse outcomes in ANOCA patients?. In Heart Lung and Circulation Vol. 32 (pp. S280-S281). Adelaide, Australia: Elsevier. DOI |
| 2023 | La, S., Chua, L., Pasupathy, S., Tavella, R., Wu, J., Zeitz, C., . . . Beltrame, J. (2023). Myocardial Infarction With Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA) Patients Undergoing Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (cMRI).. In Heart Lung and Circulation Vol. 32 (pp. S295). Adelaide, Australia: Elsevier. DOI |
| 2022 | La, S., Tavella, R., Wu, J., Arstall, M., Sinhal, A., Worthley, M., . . . Beltrame, J. (2022). Diagnostic and therapeutic approach in ANOCA patients: Insights from the CADOSA registry.. In Heart Lung and Circulation Vol. 31 (pp. S201-S202). Gold Coast, Australia: Elsevier. DOI |
| 2022 | La, S., Tavella, R., Wu, J., Arstall, M., Sinhal, A., Worthley, M., . . . Beltrame, J. (2022). ANOCA: An under-recognised and undertreated disorder. Insights from the CADOSA registry.. In Heart Lung and Circulation Vol. 31 (pp. S193-S194). Gold Coast, Australia: Elsevier. DOI |
| 2022 | Ismail, M. D., La, S., Tavella, R., & Beltrame, J. (2022). 10.1016/j.hlc.2022.06.375. In Heart Lung and Circulation Vol. 31 (pp. S226). Gold Coast, Australia: Elsevier. DOI |
| 2022 | Ismail, M. D., La, S., Tavella, R., & Beltrame, J. (2022). 10.1016/j.hlc.2022.06.375. In Heart Lung and Circulation Vol. 31 (pp. S226). Gold Coast, Australia: Elsevier. DOI |
| Role | Title | Year awarded | Funding Body | Amount |
| CIA | South Australian Kick Start Fellowship | 2025 |
South Australian Cardiovascular Network, National Heart Foundation |
$182,825 |
| CIA | Allied, Scientific, Health, Pharmacy & Nursing Grant | 2025 | Central Adelaide Health Network | $35,000 |
| AIA | Chronic Conditions in Priority Populations Grant | 2024 | The Hospital Research Foundation Group | $250,000 |
Travel Grants & Scholarships
| Title | Year awarded | Funding Body | Amount |
| Heart Foundation South Australian Travel Grant | 2025 | National Heart Foundation | $4000 |
| THRFG/BHI Travel Grant | 2024 | The Hospital Research Foundation Group | $2500 |
| University of Adelaide HDR Travel Grant | 2023 | University of Adelaide | $3800 |
| THRFG/BHI Travel Grant | 2022 | The Hospital Research Foundation Group | $750 |
| EO Myers Trust Fund | 2022 | National Heart Foundation | $2000 |
| Research Training Program Scholarship (RTPS) | 2020-2024 | University of Adelaide | |
| THRFG Honours Scholarship | 2019 | The Hospital Research Foundation Group | $8000 |
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Location | Program | Supervision Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 - 2023 | Principal Supervisor | Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA) Patients undergoing Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR) | University of Adelaide | Research Placement for Health and Medical Sciences | Other | Full Time | Enna Torres |
| 2023 - 2023 | Principal Supervisor | Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA) Patients undergoing Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR) | University of Adelaide | Research Placement for Health and Medical Sciences | Other | Full Time | Madison Liebich |
| 2023 - 2023 | Principal Supervisor | Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA) Patients undergoing Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR) | University of Adelaide | Research Placement for Health and Medical Sciences | Other | Full Time | Stephen Hearn |
| 2022 - 2023 | Principal Supervisor | Predictors and Outcomes of MINOCA diagnosed on Cardiac MRI | University of Adelaide | Summer Research Project | Other | Full Time | Linnette Chua |
| 2022 - 2023 | Co-Supervisor | Coronary Artery Spasm Provocation Testing | University of Adelaide | Summer Research Project | Other | Full Time | Ali Alsharifi |
| Date | Role | Committee | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 - ongoing | Member | TQEH BHI Research Expo Committee | Basil Hetzel Institute | Australia |
| 2025 - 2025 | Member | National Allied Health Conference Scientific Committee - Abstract Reviewer | National Allied Health | Australia |
| 2022 - 2023 | Representative | Adelaide Medical School/ Biomedicine School HDR Committee | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2022 - ongoing | Chair | International Heart Spasm Alliance (IHSA) Advisory Committee | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2021 - 2023 | Representative | Basil Hetzel Institute Management Committee | Basil Hetzel Institute | Australia |
| 2021 - ongoing | Member | Coronary Vasomotor Dysfunction Working Group | Cardiac Society of Australia & New Zealand | Australia |
| Date | Role | Membership | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 - ongoing | Member | European Society of Cardiology (ESC) | Belgium |
| 2023 - ongoing | Member | South Australian Cardiovascular Research Network (SA CVRN) | Australia |
| 2021 - ongoing | Member | Australian Society of Medical Research (ASMR) | Australia |
| 2021 - ongoing | Member | Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ) | Australia |
| Date | Title | Engagement Type | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 - 2025 | Interview panel for Domestic Medicine Admission | Scientific Community Engagement | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2025 - 2025 | Chair for The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Research Expo | Scientific Community Engagement | Basil Hetzel Institute | Australia |
| 2025 - 2025 | Abstract Judge for The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Research Expo | Scientific Community Engagement | Basil Hetzel Institute | Australia |
| 2022 - ongoing | Florey Undergraduate Conference Judge | Scientific Community Engagement | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2019 - 2020 | Student Representative for Health and Medical Sciences Honours Program | Scientific Community Engagement | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| Date | Topic | Presented at | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 - 2025 | Your Heart Speaks Survey Programme – a global survey on the ANOCA patient journey (diagnosis) | ESC Congress | European Society of Cardiology | Spain |
| 2025 - 2025 | Your Heart Speaks Survey Programme – a global survey on the ANOCA patient journey (diagnosis) | COVADIS Summit | COVADIS Summit | Spain |
| 2025 - 2025 | Your Heart Speaks Survey Programme – a global survey on the ANOCA patient journey (diagnosis) | CSANZ Conference | Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand | Australia |
| 2025 - 2025 | The Your Heart Speaks Program: Elevating Patient voices in ANOCA Research | Emerging Leaders Symposium | South Australian Cardiovascular Network | Australia |
| 2024 - 2024 | Chronic Coronary Syndromes with/without obstructive coronary arteries: are there differences in ongoing chest pain? | ESC Congress | European Society of Cardiology | United Kingdom |
| 2024 - 2024 | Chronic Coronary Syndromes with/without obstructive coronary arteries: are there differences in ongoing chest pain? | CSANZ Conference | Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand | Australia |
| 2023 - 2023 | Health Outcomes in Chronic Coronary Syndromes | ESC Congress | European Society of Cardiology | Netherlands |
| 2023 - 2023 | Coronary Vasomotor Disorders in ANOCA: insights from the CADOSA Registry | ESC Congress | European Society of Cardiology | Netherlands |
| 2023 - 2023 | Does ischaemia predict worse outcomes in ANOCA patients? | ESC Congress | European Society of Cardiology | Netherlands |
| 2023 - 2023 | Myocardial Infarction With Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA) Patients Undergoing Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (cMRI) | CSANZ Conference | Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand | Australia |
| 2023 - 2023 | Does ischaemia predict worse outcomes in ANOCA patients? | CSANZ Conference | Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand | Australia |
| 2023 - 2023 | Health Outcomes in Chronic Coronary Syndromes | CSANZ Conference | Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand | Australia |
| 2023 - 2023 | Health Outcomes in Chronic Coronary Syndromes | South Australian Emerging Leaders in Cardiology | South Australian Cardiovascular Network | Australia |
| 2023 - 2023 | Coronary Vasomotor Disorders in ANOCA: insights from the CADOSA Registry | South Australian Cardiovascular Showcase | South Australian Cardiovascular Network | Australia |
| 2022 - 2022 | Diagnostic and therapeutic approach in ANOCA patients: Insights from the CADOSA registry | CSANZ Conference | Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand | Australia |
| 2022 - 2022 | ANOCA: An under-recognised and undertreated disorder. Insights from the CADOSA registry | CSANZ Conference | Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand | Australia |
| 2022 - 2022 | Health Outcomes in Chronic Coronary Syndromes | ASMR Conference | Australian Society for Medical Research | Australia |
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