Anushka Patel

Anushka Patel is Chief Executive Officer of The George Institute for Global Health and Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney. She is a prominent cardiologist with extensive research in the prevention and management of common chronic conditions through large-scale clinical trials and implementation science.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD (Medicine) from The University of Sydney, Australia (2005)
• FRACP (Cardiology) from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (1998)
• SM (Epidemiology) from Harvard University, Boston, USA (1998)
• MBBS from The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia (1989)
• Graduate (GAICD) from the Australian Institute of Company Directors (2022)

Professor Patel's research focuses on innovative approaches to cardiovascular disease prevention and management, particularly through the development and implementation of polypill strategies for hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Her work spans multiple countries, with significant contributions to health systems strengthening in low- and middle-income countries. She leads large-scale implementation trials that bridge the gap between evidence and practice, focusing on practical solutions for real-world healthcare settings. Her research has significantly influenced global approaches to cardiovascular disease prevention, particularly through her work on fixed-dose combination therapies.

Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on polypill strategies for cardiovascular disease prevention, hypertension management, and implementation science. She has pioneered research on triple and quadruple combination therapies for blood pressure control, with numerous trials conducted across diverse settings including Sri Lanka, India, and China. Her work also extends to mental health integration with cardiovascular care, diabetes prevention among women with gestational diabetes, and digital health interventions for chronic disease management in resource-limited settings.

Professor Patel has received significant recognition for her contributions to medicine:

• Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians
• Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences
• Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (2022)

As Chief Executive Officer of The George Institute for Global Health, Professor Patel leads a major global health research organization with a focus on improving health outcomes worldwide, particularly for disadvantaged populations. She has supervised numerous students and early-career researchers, and has secured substantial funding for her research programs focused on cardiovascular disease prevention and implementation science.

Her leadership extends to major research initiatives including the TRIUMPH trial on triple combination therapy for hypertension, the SMART Mental Health project in rural India, and the LIVING study on prevention of type 2 diabetes following gestational diabetes. She works closely with international collaborators across multiple continents to address global health challenges through innovative research and implementation strategies.