Biography

Dr Leo completed his PhD in June 2012 in the Discipline of Cell Biology & Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences at RMIT University, under the supervision of Professor Owen Woodman and Dr Joanne Hart. His PhD investigated the adverse effects of diabetes has on blood vessel function and explored new treatment strategies to improve the well-being of the diabetic population, which is a major and growing cause of disability and death worldwide. His research opens a potential new direction for the prevention and treatment of diabetes-induced vascular complications. In Feb 2012, Dr Leo is recruited to join Professor Laura Parry’s laboratory at The University of Melbourne in partnership with the pharmaceutical giant, Novartis AG to lead pre-clinical vascular studies to understand why a reproductive hormone, relaxin has beneficial effect in the phase III clinical trial (RELAX-AHF) for acute heart failure patients. Over the past 5 years, the research of Dr Leo and the team has make several landmark discoveries and created a paradigm shift in this field of research. In Feb 2017, Dr Leo joined Singapore University of Technology and Design as a Faculty fellow. In this role, Dr Leo will continue to pursue independent research in understanding and designing novel therapies and treatment strategies to improve cardiovascular and metabolic health.

Education

• 2008-2012 – Ph.D.: RMIT University, Melbourne.
• 2007 – B.Sc. (Hons) Pharmacology: The University of Melbourne.
• 2004-2006 – B.Sc. (Science): Major: Pharmacology and Microbiology. The University of Western Australia

Research Interests

• Cardiovascular Biology
• Metabolic dysfunction
• Drug discovery
• Reproductive biology

Selected Publications

1. 1. H.H. Ng, C.H. LEO, D. PRAKOSO, C.X. QIN, R.H. RITCHIE & L.J. PARRY (2017). Serelaxin treatment prevents vascular dysfunction and left ventricular hypertrophy in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes. Sci Report; 7:39604. doi: 10.1038/srep39604. IF: 5.2
   2. H.H NG, C.H. LEO, K. O’SULLIVAN, S.A. ALEXANDER, M.J. DAVIES, C.H. SCHIESSER & L.J. PARRY (2016). 1,4-Anhydro-4-seleno-D-talitol (SeTal) protects endothelial function in the mouse aorta by scavenging superoxide radicals under conditions of acute oxidative stress. Biochemical Pharmacol; doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2016.12.019. IF:5.0
   3. C.H. LEO, M. JELINIC, H.H NG, J. NOVAK, M. TARE & K.P CONRAD & L.J. PARRY (2016). Vascular actions of relaxin: nitric oxide and beyond. Br J Pharmacol; doi: 10.1111/bph.13614. IF: 5.3.
   4. N. KAHLBERG, C.X. QIN, J. ANTHONISZ, E. JAP, H.H. NG, M. JELINIC, L.J. PARRY, B.K. KEMP-HARPER, R.H. RITCHIE & C.H. LEO (2016) Adverse vascular remodelling is more sensitive than endothelial dysfunction to hyperglycaemia in diabetic rat mesenteric arteries. Pharmacol Res, 111, 325-35. IF: 4.8.
   5. C.H. LEO, M. JELINIC, H.H NG, TARE & L.J. PARRY (2016). Serelaxin: a novel therapeutic for vascular diseases. Trends in Pharmacol Sci, 37, 498-507. IF: 11.5
   6. H.H NG, C.H. LEO* & L.J. PARRY* (2016). Serelaxin (recombinant human relaxin-2) prevents high glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction by ameliorating prostacyclin production in the mouse aorta. Pharmacol Res, 107, 220-228. *Joint-senior author & Corresponding author. IF: 4.8
   7. S.A. MARSHALL, C.H. LEO, S. SENADHEERA, J. GIRLING, M. TARE & L.J. PARRY (2016). Relaxin deficiency attenuates pregnancy-induced adaptation of the mesenteric artery to angiotensin II in mice. Am J Physiol Regul Integ Comp Physiol, 310, R847-57. IF: 3.1
   8. C.H. LEO, M. JELINIC, H.H NG, M. TARE & L.J PARRY (2016). Time-dependent activation of prostacyclin and nitric oxide pathways during continuous intravenous infusion of serelaxin (recombinant human H2 relaxin). Br J Pharmacol, 173; 1005-1007. IF: 5.3
   9. H.H. NG, M. JELINIC, L.J. PARRY & C.H. LEO (2015). Increased superoxide production and altered nitric oxide-mediated relaxation in aorta of young but not old male-relaxin deficient mice. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, 309; H285-96. IF: 4.0
   10. C.H. LEO & O.L WOODMAN (2015). Flavonols in the prevention of diabetic-induced vascular dysfunction. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol, 65; 532-44. IF: 2.1
   11. C.H. LEO, M. JELINIC, J.H. GOOI, M. TARE & L.J. PARRY (2014). A vasoactive role for endogenous relaxin in mesenteric arteries of male mice. PLoS One, 9: e107382. IF: 3.7.
   12. I. RANA, E. BADOER, E. ALAHMADI, C.H. LEO, O.L. WOODMAN & M.J. STEBBING (2014). Microglia are selectively activated in endocrine and cardiovascular control centres in STZ-induced diabetic rats. J Neuroendocrinol, 26: 413-425. IF: 3.3.
   13. C.H. LEO, M. JELINIC, H.C. PARKINGTON, M. TARE & L.J. PARRY (2014). Acute intravenous injection of serelaxin (recombinant human relaxin-2) causes rapid and sustained bradykinin-mediated vasodilation. J Am Heart Assoc, 28: e000493. IF: 4.3.
   14. M. JELINIC, C.H. LEO, E.D. POST UITERWEER, S.L. SANDOW, J.H. GOOI, M.E. WLODEK, K.P. CONRAD, H. PARKINGTON, M. TARE & L.J. PARRY (2014) Localization of relaxin receptors in arteries and veins, and region-specific increases in compliance and bradykinin-mediated relaxation after in vivo serelaxin treatment. FASEB J, 28: 275-287. IF: 5.7.
   15. R.H. RITCHIE, C.H. LEO, C. QIN, E.J. STEPHENSON, M.A. BOWDEN, K.D. BUXTON, S.J. LESSARD, D.A. RIVAS, L.G. KOCH, S.L BRITTON, J.A. HAWLEY & O.L WOODMAN (2013) A reduced capacity for aerobic exercise predisposes to age-dependent cardiac remodeling in rats, independent of macrovascular function. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, 304:H729-39. IF: 3.7.
   16. C.H. LEO, A. JOSHI, J.L. HART & O.L. WOODMAN (2012) Endothelium-dependent nitroxyl-mediated relaxation is resistant to superoxide scavenging and preserved in diabetic rat aorta. Pharmacol Res, 66, 383-391. IF: 4.4.
   17. C.H. LEO, J.L HART & O.L. WOODMAN (2011) 3’, 4’-dihydroxyflavonol reduces superoxide and improves nitric oxide function in diabetic rat mesenteric arteries. PLoS One, 6, e20813. IF: 4.4.
   18. C.H. LEO, J.L HART & O.L. WOODMAN (2011) 3’, 4’-dihydroxyflavonol restores endothelium-dependent relaxation in small mesenteric artery from rats with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Eur J Pharmcol, 659, 193-198. IF: 2.7.
   19. C.H. LEO, J.L HART & O.L. WOODMAN (2011) Impairment of both nitric oxide-mediated and EDHF-type relaxation in small mesenteric arteries from rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Br J Pharmcol, 162, 365-377. IF: 5.2.
   20. C.H. LEO, A. JOSHI & O.L. WOODMAN (2010) Short term type 1 diabetes alters the mechanism of endothelium-dependent relaxation in the rat carotid artery. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, 299, H502-H511. IF: 3.8.

Awards

1. • Kaye Merlin Brutton Bequest 2015: A$12,800 (AI)
     Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne
     Project title: “Serelaxin treatment of unstable angina: Targeting the coronary arteries”.
   • Research Contract: A$65,000 (CIB)
     Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd
     Project title: “Novel mechanisms of serelaxin’s vasorelaxant actions in the systemic vasculature”.
   • JN Peter’s Postdoctoral Research Fellowship start-up grant: A$15,000 (CIA)
     Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne
     Project title: “Do Novel Epigenetic Pathways Mediate the Prolonged Vasoprotective Actions of Relaxin?”.
   • Research Contract: A$70,000 (CIB)
     Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd
     Project title: “Mechanisms of the Prolonged Vasodilatory effect of RLX030”.
   • Early Career Researcher Grant: A$37,790 (CIA)
     Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne
     Project title: “Treatment of acute heart failure: relaxin versus nitrates”?
   • Kaye Merlin Brutton Bequest 2012: A$10,000 (CIA)
     Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne
     Project title: “Reducing oxidative stress in arteries to prevent the onset of unstable angina”.
   • CASS Foundation Travel Award
     Invited speaker at 10th World Congress of Microcirculation, Kyoto, Japan.
   • Runner-up young investigator oral presentation award
     Pharmacology & Physiology International Scientific Congress, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
   • JN Peter’s Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
     Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne
   • Research Excellence Award (4th year PhD student)
     School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University
   • Best Oral Presentation Award
     College of Science, Health and Engineering, RMIT University, 3rd Higher Degree Research Conference
   • Research Excellence Award (3rd year PhD student)
     School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University
   • Highly Commended Oral Presentation Award
     Department of Medicine, St Vincent’s Hospital, University of Melbourne, “Biomed Link” Student Conference
   • Highly Commended Poster Presentation Award
     College of Science, Health and Engineering, RMIT University, 2nd Higher Degree Research Conference
   • Pro-Vice Chancellor Travel Award (International Conferences)
     Research & Innovation Portfolio, RMIT University
   • ASCEPT Travel Award
     Worldpharma Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark
   • Best Oral Presentation Award
     School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University, Higher Degree Research Student Retreat Conference
   • European Society Cardiology Working Group on Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Drug Therapy Travel Award
     Frontiers of Cardiovascular Biology Conference, Berlin, Germany
   • Highly Commended Poster Presentation Award
     College of Science, Health and Engineering, RMIT University, 1st Higher Degree Research Conference
   • International Research Scholarship Award for Postgraduate Studies
     RMIT University