Professor Karlheinz Peter

Professor Karlheinz Peter is a scientist and laboratory head at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, and co-director of the Centre for Cardiometabolic mRNA Therapy. He is an interventional cardiologist at the Alfred Hospital and holds an NHMRC Investigator Fellowship. His research focuses on the cellular mechanisms of coronary artery disease, atherosclerotic plaque rupture, and the inflammatory responses that cause heart damage. He has developed unique mouse models of plaque instability and novel biomarker approaches using advanced imaging, and has pioneered new paradigms in targeting inflammation in atherosclerosis. He leads this program's development of mRNA-based therapeutics and vaccines to stabilise plaques and protect the heart.