Rate My Professor Chris Charles

Professor Chris Charles is a Research Professor at the Christchurch Heart Institute in the Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch. He holds a BSc and MSc from the University of Canterbury and a PhD from the University of Otago. His research specializes in cardioendocrinology, focusing on integrative cardiovascular, endocrine, and renal physiology of pressure and volume homeostasis. Key areas include the bioactivity of vasoactive hormones such as natriuretic peptides, adrenomedullins, and urocortins; the pathophysiology of myocardial infarction, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death; and cardiac sympathetic nervous activity in health and disease. As Co-Director of the Physiology Division at the Christchurch Heart Institute and Deputy Head of Department for Research, he leads translational studies employing large animal models to investigate circulatory diseases and develop novel therapies targeting these hormonal systems. He serves as Principal Investigator on Health Research Council project and programme grants.

Over more than 30 years, Professor Charles has provided leadership in advancing knowledge of heart hormones in health and disease, contributing evidence that supports the widespread clinical use of at least five classes of prescription drugs for treating and preventing cardiovascular disease progression. In recognition of his cutting-edge research and sustained impact, he received the University of Otago Gold Medal for Research in 2021. He has been a member of the Executive Council and Treasurer of the New Zealand Society for Medical Sciences since 2008. Recent key publications include Scott, N. J. A., et al. (2024). Phosphodiesterase 9 inhibition combined with valsartan and with sacubitril/valsartan in experimental ovine heart failure. Journal of the American Heart Association, 13, e036689; Scott, N. J. A., et al. (2024). Phosphodiesterase 9 inhibition: A novel treatment for low cardiac output heart failure (verbal presentation, New Zealand Medical Sciences Congress); Janiak, P. P., et al. (2024). COR-1167, a new long-acting CRF2 receptor agonist, decreases congestion in a sheep model of worsening heart failure. European Journal of Heart Failure, 26(S2), 400; Le, Z., et al. (2024). Sponge-like microneedles spatially sequester chemokines... Advanced Functional Materials, 34, 2402539; and Le, Z., et al. (2024). Bioactive sucralfate-based microneedles promote wound healing... Biomaterials, 311, 122700.