Posted: 4 March 2025
The Victorian Heart Institute (VHI) has announced the appointment of three Deputy Directors to support the Institute’s leadership as it continues to drive innovation in cardiovascular research, education, prevention and care.
Professor Francine Marques (Deputy Director – Discovery), Associate Professor Nitesh Nerlekar (Deputy Director – Clinical Research), and Professor Dominique Cadilhac (Deputy Director – Health Systems) will provide strategic direction and research expertise across the translational spectrum.
Institute Director, Professor Stephen Nicholls, welcomed the new Deputy Directors, highlighting the wealth of expertise they bring across different disciplines and faculties.
“These appointments reflect the strength and breadth of talent we have at Monash,” Professor Nicholls said.
“Francine, Nitesh and Dominique each bring unique and complementary expertise to the Institute – from fundamental scientific discovery through to clinical research and health systems improvement. Their leadership will be instrumental in shaping the next phase of the VHI as we continue to deliver translational world-class research.”
Professor Francine Marques, an NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow and internationally recognised cardiovascular researcher, will lead the Discovery portfolio. Her research focuses on the role of gut microbiota and hypertension, exploring novel prevention and treatment strategies for cardiovascular disease.
Her group in the School of Biological Sciences, the Hypertension Research Laboratory, moved into the VHI facilities at the Victorian Heart Hospital (VHH) in February 2025.
Associate Professor Nitesh Nerlekar, a cardiologist and clinician-scientist, will oversee the Clinical Research portfolio, bridging research and patient care. With expertise in cardiac imaging and health informatics, he is dedicated to improving cardiovascular diagnostics and risk stratification.
As the Director of Education and Training at the VHH, Nitesh oversees a portfolio of interdisciplinary education programs aiming to accelerate research into clinical practice translating to positive health outcomes in the community.
Professor Dominique Cadilhac, a leading researcher in health services and implementation science, will drive the Health Systems portfolio. Her work has been pivotal in shaping policies and practices for stroke and cardiovascular care, ensuring that research findings translate into real-world impact.
She is Co-director and Research Lead of the Stroke and Ageing group (STAR) within the School of Clinical Sciences, located at VHI within the VHH.
Professor Nicholls emphasised that the appointments will enhance the Institute’s collaborative approach across disciplines.
“The VHI is uniquely positioned within Monash University, drawing on strengths from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, as well as Engineering, Science, IT, and Business. The addition of Francine, Nitesh, and Dominique to the leadership team strengthens our ability to take a truly multidisciplinary approach to tackling cardiovascular disease,” Professor Nicholls said.
“The VHI remains committed to advancing research, education, and clinical impact in cardiovascular health. The leadership of Professors Marques, Nerlekar, and Cadilhac will play a crucial role in driving the Institute’s vision forward.”
