Dr Anna Pilbrow

Research interests

Cardiovascular Genetics and Genomics

Dr Pilbrow’s research explores how genetic variation contributes to susceptibility to heart disease.

Her research investigates genes and proteins within the heart and blood vessels that are altered in people genetically predisposed to heart disease and aims to identify new biomarkers that will help identify people at risk of having a heart attack. 

She is also working to identify genetic variants that increase the risk of heart disease in New Zealand families who have a strong family history of premature heart disease.

Background

Dr Pilbrow completed her PhD in Cardiovascular Genetics at the University of Otago, Christchurch in 2006.

She undertook postdoctoral training in the Christchurch Heart Institute (2006-2008) and the Peptide Biology Laboratory at The Salk Institute of Biological Sciences, San Diego (2008-2010), supported by a Foundation of Research, Science and Technology (now Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) Postdoctoral Fellowship.

Dr Pilbrow returned to New Zealand in 2010 to work with the Christchurch Heart Institute's Molecular Biology and Genetics Laboratory and was awarded the prestigious Sir Charles Hercus Fellowship award during 2011. The Hercus Fellowship was awarded Dr Pilbrow as an emerging scientist who has demonstrated outstanding potential and the ability to initiate new avenues of investigation.

Awards

• ThermoFisher Scientific Award for Excellence in Molecular Biology, Queenstown Research Week, 2017
• Heart Foundation Senior Fellowship, 2014
• University of Otago Early Career Award for Distinction in Research, 2014
• Sir Charles Hercus Health Research Fellowship, 2011