Gemma is a clinician researcher whose principal clinical interests lie in the provision of rapid percutaneous intervention to patients suffering heart attacks, as well as advanced cardiovascular imaging of both myocardial and coronary pathology. She is a Professor in Medicine at the University of Sydney, and Research Lead for Cardiothoracic and Vascular Health at the Kolling Institute and for Northern Sydney Local Health District. She co-leads the Cardiovascular Theme for Sydney Health Partners, a NHMRC Advanced Health Research and Translation Centre and is the Chair of the University of Sydney’s multi-disciplinary Cardiovascular Initiative.

Gemma completed her DPhil at Oxford University in 2002 supported by a Rhodes Scholarship and has continued in the fundamental research field of oxidative signalling. She is committed to improving the care for heart attack patients- using her expertise in molecular biology to develop methods of identifying those at highest risk of adverse outcome, and discovering novel therapies to prevent and treat events, inspired by her clinical work as an interventional cardiologist. Discoveries in her Laboratory have been published in leading journals Circulation, European Heart Journal, and FRBM, with > 130 publications. GF is a principal investigator on grants >$6.5 mill. Having recently completed a co-funded NHMRC CDF and Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship, she has been awarded an NHMRC Practitioner Fellowship. She is committed to the advancement of her field, and serves as a member of the Editorial Board of leading international cardiovascular journals Circulation and Cardiovascular Research. Her research and clinical perspective and leadership are recognised by her membership of the Scientific Board of Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (responsible for International Relations), and her appointment to the Expert Advisory Panel for NHMRC Structural Review of Grants Program (2016-17), as well as the Clinical Issues Committee of the Heart Foundation.  She is committed to the promotion and advocacy of cardiovascular research, recently appointed as President of the Australian Cardiovascular Alliance. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and serves/has served as a non-executive Director on multiple community Boards.