Exeter alumnus to chair major International Cardiovascular Research Conference
Exeter alumnus Dr Davor Pavlovic (2001, DPhil Biochemistry) will chair the 39th Annual Meeting of the European Section of the International Society for Heart Research (ISHR), taking place at the University of Birmingham from 22–25 June 2026.
The ISHR is a major international organisation for scientists and clinicians working in cardiovascular research, with members from across Europe and beyond. Its annual European Section meeting brings together leading researchers, clinicians, early-career scientists, and industry partners to discuss the latest advances in heart and circulatory disease research.
Dr Pavlovic is currently Associate Professor in Cardiovascular Sciences at the University of Birmingham, where his research focuses on the mechanisms that drive cardiac arrhythmias and heart disease. As Chair of the 2026 meeting, he will oversee a four-day scientific programme spanning three parallel sessions and covering major areas of cardiovascular research, including cardiac electrophysiology, heart failure, cardiovascular–renal–metabolic disease, inflammation and immunity, vascular biology, cardiac regeneration, and emerging therapeutic strategies.
The conference will feature keynote lectures from internationally recognised leaders, invited symposia, abstract presentations, poster sessions, industry-focused events, and dedicated opportunities for early-career researchers. A particular emphasis will be placed on supporting the next generation of cardiovascular scientists through networking events, presentation opportunities, and prizes.
Reflecting on the appointment, Dr Pavlovic said: “For me personally, it is a real privilege to chair this meeting. My own research focuses on the mechanisms that drive cardiac arrhythmias and heart disease, and I have been very fortunate to build an academic career that began, in many ways, with the foundations and confidence I developed during my time at Exeter College.”
