Dr Rikeish R. Muralitharan is an early career researcher in the Hypertension Research Laboratory at Monash University. His work focuses on uncovering how the gut microbiome and its metabolites regulate blood pressure and exploring novel therapeutic strategies. Trained as a medical doctor from Malaysia and later completing his PhD at Monash University, Dr R Muralitharan integrates clinical and preclinical expertise to bridge discovery science with translational potential. He has authored over 20 publications, including first-author articles in Circulation Research and Cardiovascular Research, and received multiple national and international awards, including the International Society for Heart Research Best Postdoctoral Publication Prize in 2025. Beyond research, he contributes to national and international committees, striving for equity and diversity in the workplace and research.