Associate Professor Nitesh Nerlekar

Dr Nitesh Nerlekar is an academic cardiologist and cardiac imaging specialist. He has a particular interest in prevention of cardiovascular disease in men and women.

Nitesh graduated from Monash University in 2007 and completed his advanced training in cardiology at MonashHeart and the Alfred Hospital. He subsequently completed fellowships in advanced echocardiography, cardiac CT and cardiac MRI. He holds formal accreditation in all of these subspecialties.

Nitesh is a consultant cardiologist at MonashHeart and treats patients at MonashHealth, St John of God Berwick, Jessie McPherson Private Hospital and Holmesglen Private Hospital. He has a strong interest in cardiovascular research holding academic positions at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Monash University and the University of Melbourne. He has published >100 peer-reviewed journal articles, completed a Masters of Public Health, as well as statistical and research diplomas through Harvard University. His PhD evaluated the unique association with cardiac fat, inflammation and coronary artery disease risk using cardiac CT. His research has been awarded >$1,000,000 in research funding and he is a current National Health and Medical Research Council Emerging Leader Fellow, National Heart Foundation postdoctoral fellow, and supervises 5 PhD students and 2 honours students.

He is interested in all aspects of cardiology including coronary heart disease, valvular heart disease, cardiovascular risk prediction. His main area of scientific interest is in the use of novel cardiac CT markers for risk assessment. He also has an interest is in women’s heart health research and has recently received national funding to investigate the role of breast arterial calcification on screening mammography to predict cardiovascular risk.

Outside work, Nitesh loves spending time with his wife and young children. He is a passionate sports fan with a special love for cricket and tennis.