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AVBS member lab spotlight - 2026
Mechanobiology and Microfluidics Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute
The Mechanobiology and Microfluidics Laboratory investigates how mechanical forces drive cardiovascular disease using advanced bioengineered and human-based models of blood vessels and heart valves. Our research integrates biomedical and biomaterials engineering with organ-on-a-chip technologies to recreate physiologically relevant vascular environments and study how haemodynamic forces and the extracellular matrix regulate vascular and immune cell behaviour.
A major focus of the lab is the development of human-relevant models of calcific aortic valve disease, atrial fibrillation, and vascular ageing. Using microfluidics and tunable biomaterials, we examine how disturbed flow, tissue stiffening, and inflammatory signals contribute to disease initiation and progression. These models enable real-time imaging, molecular profiling, and functional testing under controlled mechanical conditions that closely mimic human physiology.
We work closely with clinicians and utilise patient-derived samples to ensure our models reflect human disease. Our goal is to uncover the mechanobiological pathways that drive cardiovascular pathology and to develop platforms that support the discovery and testing of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Lab members
A/Prof. Sara Baratchi (Head)
Dr Austin Lai
Dr Rumbidzai Zizhou
Chanly Cheang
Habiba Danish (PhD student)
Yasmin Mirzaalikhan (PhD student)
Hedie Poorkazem (PhD student)
Wenzhi Huang (Master’s student)
Shaonika Basu (Master’s student)
Vanessa Wu (Undergraduate research student)
Find out more about the work done by the Mechanobiology and Microfluidics lab
AVBS member lab spotlight - 2025
Neuroinflammation Research Group, Monash Centre for Inflammatory Diseases
The Neuroinflammation Research Group at Monash Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, headed by Professor Connie Wong, aims to improve health outcomes of people with stroke and sepsis through better understanding of disease pathologies to unlock innovative solutions. Our research strength is to study in vivo models of disease as this allows for the analysis of multiple organ signalling events (i.e. interactions between the brain and the peripheral immune system). In particular, we specialise in the use of internationally-recognised and clinically-relevant mouse models of stroke and sepsis to examine the bodily effects of these conditions beyond the initial site of injury.
In addition, we utilise cutting-edge in vivo imaging technologies to directly visualise cellular interactions in real time, enabling us to study complex immune cell function and behaviour under physiological and pathological conditions in the brain, liver and gut. We also work with clinical partners and community members with lived experience to drive research efforts with the ultimate goal to translate and transform our fundamental research findings into drug discoveries and ultimately commercialisation to impact on patient care.
Lab members
Prof. Connie Wong (Head)
Dr. Shu Wen Wen
Dr. Cameron Bastow
Dr. Joshua Bourne
Dr. Jenny Wilson
Althea Suthya
Joanne Nguyen (PhD student)
Muklesa Hana (B.Sc. Hons student)
Find out more about the work done by the Wong lab