A cardiologist and clinician-scientist specialising in heart failure and cardio-oncology (the cardiovascular complications of cancer therapies), Aaron is Director of Heart Failure and Co-Director of the Newcastle Centre of Excellence in Cardio-Oncology at the University of Newcastle, working across Hunter Medical Research Institute, Hunter New England Health and Calvary Mater Newcastle.
He completed his medical degree at the University of Adelaide in 2000 and was awarded Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 2007. After holding staff specialist cardiology roles from 2008, he completed his PhD in 2012, investigating the pathogenesis of aortic valve disease and providing early clinical evidence that disease progression may be modified by medical therapy.
He undertook postdoctoral training at Boston University as an NHMRC CJ Martin Fellow and American Heart Association Fellow, where his research focused on the mechanisms underpinning metabolic heart disease. His work identified key roles for mitochondrial oxidative processes in cardiac dysfunction and contributed novel imaging approaches in cardiac sarcoidosis that have been widely adopted and cited internationally.
Following his return to Australia in 2015, Aaron co-established a cardiometabolic research program before relocating to Newcastle in 2017 to lead heart failure services. He was appointed Professor at the University of Newcastle in 2022.
A recognised leader in cardio-oncology, he has established one of Australia’s first integrated bench-to-bedside cardio-oncology programs, bringing together clinical care and translational research to improve outcomes for patients undergoing cancer treatment. His research is supported by major funding bodies including the Heart Foundation, NHMRC, Medical Research Future Fund and Cancer Institute NSW, and he currently holds a Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship.
Leadership & national roles
- Co-chair, Australian Cardiovascular Alliance Cardio-Oncology Working Group
- Member, European Society of Cardiology Study Group on Cardio-Oncology
- Member, International Cardio-Oncology Society Scientific & Research Executive
- Co-author of key guidelines and position statements shaping clinical practice in cardio-oncology