Team Members
Dr. Leila Reyes
(Scientific Programs Manager)
Leila undertook her Medical Science Degree (Hons) and PhD at the University of Sydney. Part of her PhD studies took place at the University of Copenhagen and investigated oxidants/antioxidants in cardiac ischaemia/reperfusion injury. Her European adventures continued in Scotland, where she did her first post-doc at The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh investigating the role of neutrophils in glioblastoma (brain cancer).
Leila returned to Australia and joined the Chong laboratory, where her research interest now lies in induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) and dissecting the sub-population of iPSC-CMs underlying arrhythmic burden in PSC-CM therapy.
When not in the lab, Leila enjoys spending time with family and friends, outdoor activities, baking and cooperative card/board games.
Dr. Max Cumberland
(Post-Doctoral Scientist)
Max completed his PhD at the University of Birmingham (UK). His thesis focused on investigating the effects pathogenic variants have on the development of atrial fibrillation in pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.
In 2024, Max joined Professor James Chong’s lab at the Centre for Heart Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research. His research will focus on identifying novel methods to improve iPSC-CM engraftment.
When not in the lab, Max enjoys bouldering, running and football.
Dr. Halina Leung
(Post-Doctoral Scientist)
Halina completed her PhD in the Cancer and Stem Cell lab at the Children’s Cancer Institute, where her research identified key epigenetic regulators that are crucial for the proliferation and maintenance of leukaemic stem cells in acute myeloid leukaemia. In 2016, she joined Professor Beng Chong’s Haematology research group at the School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW. Her postdoctoral research identified the critical role neutrophils play in driving thrombosis in immune thrombotic disorders such as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia.
In 2023, she joined Professor James Chong’s lab at the Centre for Heart Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, where she will use her experience in immune thrombosis to identify new targets and mechanisms of myocardial infarction to develop more effective, targeted treatment.
Outside of the lab, Halina enjoys travelling, doing escape rooms and trying out new restaurants.
Dr. Alan Marcus
(Research Veterinarian)
Alan obtained his veterinary degree at the University of Sydney and worked as a vet before undertaking his PhD in wildlife epidemiology investigating hookworm infection in free-ranging Australia sea lion pups. After spending an inordinate amount of time camping on remote islands, he worked in the pharmaceutical industry for a few years as a research scientist and study manager conducting GLP/GCP studies for animal drug R&D. He then joined the Center for Translational Pain Medicine in the Department of Anesthesiology at Duke University, North Carolina, as a research scientist, focused on the development of countermeasures for cardiopulmonary injuries following toxic chemical exposures.
His areas of interest remain broad, including parasitology, pain, cardiology, and emerging-infectious/wildlife disease.
Outside of work, his hobbies include scuba diving, photography, drone piloting, hiking, and walking his cat Batty (pictured).
Megan Weatherstone
(Senior Research Assistant)
Megan completed her Medical Science (Hons) degree at the University of Sydney. Their honours project focused on enhancing in vitro embryo culture conditions. She then worked in embryology research under Prof. Patrick Tam, with a particular focus on cell fates in the gastrulating embryo. Megan then collaborated with many research groups around Sydney to perform single-cell RNA sequencing which led her to Prof. James Chong, and joined the lab in 2025.
Rachael Menezes
(Research Assistant)
Rachael completed her Medical Science and Honours degree at the University of Sydney. She undertook her Honours at the Heart Research Institute, investigating sex differences in mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetes-associated peripheral artery disease.
In 2025, Rachael joined Professor James Chong’s laboratory at the Centre for Heart Research, within the Westmead Institute for Medical Research. She is currently involved in various projects investigating iPSC-CM engraftment.
Outside of work, Rachael enjoys reading, drawing, playing netball and catching up with friends.
Dr. Sally Kim
(PhD Candidate)
Sally Kim is a clinical cardiologist and a PhD student under the supervision of Prof. James Chong.
She completed her undergraduate science degree at University of Sydney majoring in mathematics and physiology, followed by postgraduate medical school at University of Sydney. She completed basic medical and advanced cardiology training at Westmead Hospital and qualified as a specialist cardiologist in 2023. She will be focusing on identifying and reducing arrhythmogenic subpopulations of induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes, which will help progress these therapies to clinical studies.
In her spare time she enjoys swimming, playing with her Finnish Lapphund puppy and teaching her tricks.
Emily Mckinna
(PhD Candidate)
Emily McKinna is a PhD candidate with a research interest in cardiac repair and regeneration. She recently completed her honours project researching novel therapies for heart failure under the supervision of Dr James Chong in the Centre for Heart Research.
She will be continuing this project as a PhD student within the same group.
Dr. Tejas Deshmukh
(PhD Candidate)
Tejas Deshmukh is a clinical cardiologist and a PhD student under the supervision of Prof James Chong.
After completion of his MBBS from Western Sydney University, he continued his medical training through Westmead Hospital where he completed basic physician training and subsequently advanced training in cardiology. He completed his Master of Clinical Trials Research from University of Sydney.
His PhD is focusing on cardiac matrix modulation by Platelet Derived Growth Factor to improve outcomes after myocardial infarction in a large animal model. In his spare time he likes to play tennis and catch up with friends.
Fairooj Rashid
(PhD Candidate)
Fairooj is currently a Ph.D student under the supervision of Prof James Chong. She completed her MSc in Biomedical and Molecular Science Research from King’s College London, UK and her undergrad studies in Biochemistry at Queen Mary University of London, UK.
Before starting her Ph.D, she worked in the lab as a Research Assistant with a focus on cardiac regeneration of the ischemic heart using gene therapy.
Apart from science she loves reading, practising Bangladeshi cultural music, swimming and weekend board games with friends.
Dr. Samia Kazi
(PhD Candidate)
Dr Samia Kazi is a cardiologist who is currently doing a higher degree by research in premature coronary artery disease with Prof. James Chong and Prof Clara Chow.
She completed her cardiology training at Westmead hospital which inspired her topic of interest. She is trying to identify the mechanism of myocardial infarction in the young population as it has a significant impact on society.
Apart from research she enjoys reading, hiking and travelling.
Some events we’ve had!
