Siiri Iismaa

Dr. Siiri Iismaa is a distinguished Senior Scientist at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute and Conjoint Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales' Faculty of Medicine. With over three decades of research experience, she has established herself as an internationally respected scientist specializing in cardiovascular diseases, which represent the leading cause of premature death and disability globally. Her work bridges basic science and clinical applications, focusing on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac conditions.

Dr. Iismaa's educational journey began with a BSc (Hons I) with University Medal from the Australian National University, followed by a PhD in Molecular Biology and Genetics from the same institution. She completed postdoctoral training at UC Irvine, CA, USA, and served as a Senior Postdoctoral Fellow at the Heart Research Institute in Sydney before joining the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.

Her primary research focuses on two critical areas: cardiac regeneration and spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). In cardiac regeneration research, she investigates the transcriptomic and epigenomic signatures that underpin postnatal cardiomyocyte development to identify molecular roadblocks preventing heart muscle repair. Her SCAD research explores the genetics and biology of this condition through whole genome sequencing and induced pluripotent stem cell models from SCAD patients.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on SCAD, with particular attention to genetic factors, patient psychological outcomes, and innovative cellular models. Her work increasingly integrates patient-centered outcomes with molecular mechanisms, highlighting the biopsychosocial aspects of SCAD recovery.

Dr. Iismaa's scientific contributions have been recognized through numerous awards including multiple VCCRI Research Excellence Awards, an NHMRC Postdoctoral Award, and the prestigious Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Fellowship in 2015.

She actively mentors students and researchers, welcoming ILP/Honours students and PhD candidates interested in SCAD, cardiac biology, cardiac regeneration, and bioinformatics. Her laboratory work in the Molecular Cardiology and Biophysics Division at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute continues to advance our understanding of cardiovascular disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic approaches.