Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon
The University of Otago is launching a new brand. Find out more

Contact Details

Phone
+64 3 479 7840
Email
sally.mccormick@otago.ac.nz
Position
Professor
Department
Department of Biochemistry
Qualifications
BAgriSci(Hons) PhD(Lincoln)
Research summary
Lipoprotein metabolism and cardiovascular disease

Research

My laboratory studies the genetics, proteomics and biochemistry of molecules involved in heart disease across a range of biological systems. A major class of molecules involved in heart disease are the plasma lipoproteins. We are currently studying the regulation of lipoprotein levels and composition to identify therapeutic targets for their manipulation with a particular interest in the Lp(a) and HDL lipoproteins which have opposing risk associations with heart disease. We are also investigating the variation in lipoprotein-associated genes in families with various dyslipidaemias. More recently we have begun a programme to test the effect of antioxidant compounds on biochemical markers of heart disease in both animal and human trials.

model of Lipoprotein(a)
structure of ABCA1

Inaugural professorial lecture

Media

Read about the Lipoprotein(a) work (with audio) on RNZ Nationals Our Changing World.



Positions available

Enquiries about projects from prospective graduate, postgraduate or postdoctoral researchers are welcome and should be sent to sally.mccormick@otago.ac.nz

For information about scholarships for postgraduate students go to the University of Otago website postgraduate information page

Funding

Funding for my research has been provided by the the Health Research Council of New Zealand, The National Heart Foundation, Lottery Health, Otago Medical Research Foundation and the University of Otago.

Moore, M. K., Jones, G. T., McCormick, S., Williams, M. J. A., & Coffey, S. (2024). Association between lipoprotein(a), LPA genetic risk score, aortic valve disease, and subsequent major adverse cardiovascular events. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwae100 Journal - Research Article

Siddiqui, H., Deo, N., Rutledge, M. T., Williams, M. J. A., Redpath, G. M. I., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2023). Plasminogen receptors promote lipoprotein(a) uptake by enhancing surface binding and facilitating macropinocytosis. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, & Vascular Biology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.319344 Journal - Research Article

Moore, M., Jones, G., McCormick, S., Williams, M., & Coffey, S. (2023). Association between lipoprotein(a), LPA genetic risk score, aortic valve disease, and subsequent major adverse cardiovascular events. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 32(Suppl. 2), P66. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2023.04.287 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Moors, J., Krishnan, M., Sumpter, N., Takei, R., Bixley, M., Cadzow, M., Major, T. J., Phipps Green, A., Topless, R., Merriman, M., Rutledge, M., Morgan, B., … Stamp, L., Taumoepeau, M., … Wilcox, P., … McCormick, S., … Merriman, T. R., & Leask, M. (2023). A Polynesian-specific missense CETP variant alters the lipid profile. Human Genetics & Genomic Advances, 4, 100204. doi: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2023.100204 Journal - Research Article

Merriman, T., Matsuo, H., Takei, R., Leask, M., Topless, R., Shirai, Y., … Cadzow, M., … Stamp, L., … Robinson, P., … Sumpter, N., Merriman, M., Phipps-Green, A., Wei, W., McCormick, S., … Major, T. (2022). A genome-wide association analysis of 2,622,830 individuals reveals new pathogenic pathways in gout. Arthritis & Rheumatology, 74(Suppl. 9), 1678. doi: 10.1002/art.42355 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Back to top