Name: Lachlan Dalli
Affiliation: Big Data, Epidemiology and Prevention Division of Stroke and Ageing Research, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University
Victorian Heart Institute, Monash University, Australia
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/lachlandalli
X: @LachlanDalli
BlueSky: lachlandalli.bsky.social
Tell us about yourself.
I’m an early career epidemiologist and health services researcher from the Big Data, Epidemiology and Prevention Division (Stroke and Ageing Research), School of Clinical Sciences at Monash University. My research involves leveraging big data to explore ways to improve the prevention and management of stroke and its risk factors.
What are your research interests?
Over the past eight years, my research has used large, linked health datasets to study how stroke medications, particularly antihypertensive treatments, are prescribed, used, and work in real‑world practice. As an Epidemiologist with the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry, I have supported national studies on the quality of acute stroke care to inform health system improvement. This included examining hospital‑level variation and patient‑related disparities in antihypertensive prescribing, including by age, sex, and country of birth. Alongside big‑data research, I am passionate about co‑designing digital solutions with patients and clinicians to support safe, effective, and high‑quality use of cardiovascular medicines.
What are you working on right now?
With a team of collaborators, I lead a Stroke Foundation-funded project (COMPASS) to improve the delivery of medicines information after stroke to support long‑term adherence. I collaborate on projects to link and integrate siloed health data across Australia to enable timely and policy‑relevant insights for stroke. I contribute to national projects to enhance how patient perspectives are incorporated in medicines policy and practice decisions. I manage the international INSPIRE‑STROKE network to harmonise routinely collected health data for global stroke surveillance, with a focus on standardising medication adherence measures.
What do you hope to achieve in the field of hypertension over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, I aim to work closely with researchers, clinicians, and patients to co‑design and implement practical tools to improve the quality use of antihypertensive medicines for prevention of stroke. I also hope to support broader efforts to integrate blood pressure data across the Australian health system, enabling stronger population‑level surveillance to inform health policy and clinical decision‑making.
What challenges have you faced in your career to date?.
Like many early‑career researchers in Australia, I have faced challenges related to limited research funding, short‑term contracts, and the pressure to maintain a strong publication and leadership trajectory. Having very supportive mentors has really helped me to navigate these challenges.
Which of your publications are you proudest of and why?
My proudest publications focus on the real‑world benefits and safety of antihypertensive medications after stroke.
In the first publication (Dalli et al. Stroke. 2021;52:3569‑3577), we showed that each 10% increase in antihypertensive adherence is associated with a 13% reduction in all‑cause mortality. This evidence has since been cited in the Australian and New Zealand Living Guidelines for Stroke Management, reinforcing the importance of monitoring and supporting medication adherence after stroke.
In the second publication (Dalli et al. Hypertension. 2023; 80:182‑191), we showed that adherence to antihypertensive medications after stroke was associated with fewer vascular events, without an increased risk of serious falls. This publication led to invited Hypertension Australia presentations and was selected by the journal editor for a live Q&A.
What is your favourite manuscript from a lab other than your own?
I am particularly impressed by a recent Australian-led clinical trial demonstrating the benefits of an antihypertensive polypill following intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). Patients with ICH have limited treatment options, and poorer long‑term outcomes, compared with ischaemic stroke. This study has the potential to transform secondary prevention of ICH by improving blood pressure management through a simplified triple agent poly-pill to support long‑term adherence and health outcomes.
Trident Research Group, Anderson CS, Chow CK, et al. Three Low-Dose Antihypertensive Agents in a Single Pill after Intracerebral Hemorrhage. N Engl J Med. 2026;394(16):1571-1582. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2515043
What are your passions outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy staying active at the gym, squeezing in a round of golf, and cooking up a storm with family and friends.