The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research

Woolcock Early Career Researcher, Dr Camilla Hoyos, has recently been awarded the coveted Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship. The Heart Foundation is Australia’s largest non-government funder of heart-related research. Their Future Leader Fellowship program is highly competitive and has a specific focus on the leadership potential of the applicant – they look for ‘best and brightest’ in the field.

Dr Hoyos is one of only ten researchers Australia-wide to receive this prestigious award in 2020. The fellowship will take place over a four-year period in which she will run a program of research titled “Targeting the heart to optimise healthy brain ageing”. This program focuses on understanding how improving aspects of cardiovascular disease and sleep may help slow changes in memory and thinking which are common in dementia.

“My research will significantly develop our understanding of the relationship between cardiovascular health and healthy brain ageing and will provide new insights into possible early treatment options”, Dr Hoyos said. “I am working to understand whether treating the increased inflammation associated with a recent cardiovascular event can affect cognition in middle aged adults. I am also exploring whether any improvements in memory and thinking skills after treating sleep apnea are related to heart health in those over 50 years of age who are at risk of developing dementia.” 

This exciting program of research will commence in 2021. “I am delighted to receive this fellowship and to work towards improving the brain and heart health of all Australian’s”, Dr Hoyos said.