Michael Bourke

Dr. Michael Bourke is a Lecturer in the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy at The University of Newcastle. His research focuses on vascular diseases, particularly abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), and clinical trials evaluating medical therapies to slow AAA progression. He leads a $4.9 million NHMRC-funded trial investigating AAA treatments and collaborates with institutions like the Queensland Research Centre for Peripheral Vascular Disease. His work includes establishing biobanks and clinical trial centers, with notable discoveries linking metformin and anticoagulants to reduced AAA-related events.

Education: PhD in Systems Neuroscience (University of Sydney, 2014), Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours). Languages: English (native), Spanish (working proficiency).

Research Interests: AAA pathogenesis, vascular smooth muscle biology, biomarkers for vascular risk stratification, and translational therapies for vascular diseases. His work integrates clinical research with anatomical training programs for junior clinicians.

Grants: $4.9M NHMRC grant (2020) and Crestani Family Foundation grant ($40,000, 2023). Collaborators include Prof. Jonathan Golledge, Prof. Nicholas Goodwin, and Prof. Manohar Garg.

Labs/Teams: Central Coast Research Institute collaborations, Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition (PRCPAN), and Gosford Vascular Services partnerships.