Dr Ana Holley, Our people, University of Otago, Wellington

PhD (VUW), MBmedSc (VUW), BSc (Massey)

Background

I completed both my Masters and PhD in Biomedical Science through Victoria University of Wellington, before undertaking a post-doctoral fellowship here at the University of Otago, Wellington campus. The main focus of my research has always been centred in developing better scoring tools for stratifying risk in cardiac disease. Identifying patients who are at increased risk of adverse clinical events means patient management can be personalised in order to improve patient outcomes.

My current research uses a mixture of molecular and genetic techniques in order to identify biomarkers relating to inflammation, small RNA molecules and genetic variants measured in patients who have suffered a heart attack. My research is done through Wellington Cardiovascular Research Group, and we work closely with cardiologists from Wellington Hospital in how we can best apply biomedical information so patients can benefit from better risk assessment models.

There are several postgraduate research opportunities (Honours, Masters, PhD) available in this field through the Wellington Cardiovascular Research Group.

Contact details

Department of Surgery & Anaesthesia
University of Otago, Wellington
PO Box 7343
Wellington South

Email ana.holley@otago.ac.nz

Dr Holley's Health Sciences database profile page

Current roles

Lecturer, Surgery and Anaesthesia
Scientist, Wellington Cardiovascular Research Group
Postgraduate Biomedical Seminar Series Co-ordinator

Research expertise

Translational Cardiovascular Medicine

Publications

Whitfield, P. L., Hall, R. M., Théaude, L., Sixtus, R. P., Kanaan, R., Holley, A. S., … Weatherall, M., … Krebs, J. D. (2024). A very-low-calorie diet (VLCD) intervention for the management of prediabetes and early Type 2 diabetes mellitus in a multi-ethnic cohort in Aotearoa New Zealand: The PROGRESS NZ feasibility study. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 33(2), 200-212. doi: 10.6133/apjcn.202406_33(2).0007 Journal - Research Article

Yiu, J. Y. T., Hally, K. E., Larsen, P. D., & Holley, A. S. (2023). Neutrophil-enriched biomarkers and long-term prognosis in acute coronary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s12265-023-10425-2 Journal - Research Article

Holley, A., Yiu, J., Hally, K., & Larsen, P. (2023). Neutrophil biomarkers and long-term prognosis in acute coronary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 32(Suppl. 3), 678. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2023.06.582 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Blackshaw, C., Hally, K., Harding, S., Fairley, S., Larsen, P., & Holley, A. (2023). Gender differences in demographics, management, and clinical outcomes in AMI patients. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 32(Suppl. 3), 386. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2023.06.382 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Yiu, J. Y. T., Hally, K. E., Larsen, P. D., & Holley, A. S. (2023). Increased levels of low density neutrophils (LDNs) in myocardial infarction. Acta Cardiologica, 78(1), 47-54. doi: 10.1080/00015385.2021.2015145 Journal - Research Article

2024

Journal - Research Article

2023

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2022

Journal - Research Article

Brunton-O'Sullivan, M. M., Holley, A. S., Shi, B., Harding, S. A., & Larsen, P. D. (2022). Cluster analysis of extracellular matrix biomarkers predicts the development of impaired systolic function within 1 year of acute myocardial infarction. Heart & Vessels, 37, 2029-2038. doi: 10.1007/s00380-022-02118-8

Brunton-O'Sullivan, M. M., Holley, A. S., Bird, G. K., Kristono, G. A., Harding, S. A., & Larsen, P. D. (2022). Examining variation and temporal dynamics of extracellular matrix biomarkers following acute myocardial infarction. Biomarkers in Medicine, 16(3), 147-161. doi: 10.2217/bmm-2021-0531

Rogan, A., Brunton-O'Sullivan, M., Holley, A., McQuade, D. d., & Larsen, P. (2022). Can serum biomarkers be used to rule out significant intracranial pathology in emergency department patients with mild traumatic brain injury? A systemic review & meta-analysis. Injury, 53, 259-271. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2021.10.015

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Whitfield, P., Sword, D., Holley, A., Walsh, E., Weatherall, M., Shepherd, P. R., … Hall, R. M., & Krebs, J. D. (2022). The metabolic effects of a CREBRF gene variant in New Zealand women. Proceedings of the 45th New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) Annual Scientific Meeting. (pp. 46). Retrieved from https://www.ivvy.com.au/event/NZSSD22/welcome.html

Whitfield, P., Sword, D., Holley, A., Walsh, E., Weatherall, M., Shepherd, P., … Hall, R. M., & Krebs, J. D. (2022). The metabolic effects of a CREBRF gene variant in NZ women: Assessment of satiety and incretins. Proceedings of the 45th New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) Annual Scientific Meeting. (pp. 22). Retrieved from https://www.ivvy.com.au/event/NZSSD22/welcome.html

2021

Journal - Research Article

Gunawardene, A., Manning, S., Holley, A., Kristono, G., Danielson, K., Shekouh, A., Larsen, P., & Dennett, E. (2021). An IL8-CEA combined score is stage-specific in colorectal cancer. Surgery, Gastroenterology & Oncology, 26(4), 284-290. doi: 10.21614/sgo-26-4-401

Brunton-O'Sullivan, M. M., Holley, A. S., Hally, K. E., Kristono, G. A., Harding, S. A., & Larsen, P. D. (2021). A combined biomarker approach for characterising extracellular matrix profiles in acute myocardial infarction. Scientific Reports, 11, 12705. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-92108-z

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Kristono, G., Holley, A., Hally, K., Brunton-O'Sullivan, M., Shi, B., Harding, S., & Larsen, P. (2021). Using principal component analysis to create prognostic cytokine scores for adverse outcome in acute myocardial infarction. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 30(Suppl. 2), (pp. S57-S58). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2021.05.003

2020

Journal - Research Article

Kristono, G. A., Holley, A. S., Hally, K. E., Brunton-O'Sullivan, M. M., Shi, B., Harding, S. A., & Larsen, P. D. (2020). An IL-6-IL-8 score derived from principal component analysis is predictive of adverse outcome in acute myocardial infarction. Cytokine: X, 2, 100037. doi: 10.1016/j.cytox.2020.100037

Kristono, G. A., Holley, A. S., Lakshman, P., Brunton-O'Sullivan, M. M., Harding, S. A., & Larsen, P. D. (2020). Association between inflammatory cytokines and long-term adverse outcomes in acute coronary syndromes: A systematic review. Heliyon, 6(4), e03704. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03704

Kristono, G. A., Holley, A. S., Harding, S. A., & Larsen, P. D. (2020). White blood cell subtypes as predictors of adverse cardiac events. Coronary Artery Disease, 31(5), 446-450. doi: 10.1097/mca.0000000000000860

Hally, K. E., Holley, A. S., Kristono, G. A., Harding, S. A., & Larsen, P. D. (2020). Immunoglobulin G levels predicts risk of recurrent adverse cardiovascular events in myocardial infarction patients. Acta Cardiologica, 75(6), 497-502. doi: 10.1080/00015385.2019.1611189

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Kristono, G., Holley, A., Hally, K., Brunton-O'Sullivan, M., Harding, S., & Larsen, P. (2020). Trends in inflammatory cytokine levels over acute and chronic phases of myocardial infarction. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 29(Suppl. 2), (pp. S293). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2020.09.574

Brunton-O'Sullivan, M., Holley, A., Hally, K., Kristono, G., Bird, G., Harding, S., & Larsen, P. (2020). Examining the relationship between infarct size and circulating extracellular matrix biomarkers over acute and chronic phases of myocardial infarction. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 29(Suppl. 2), (pp. S257-S258). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2020.09.495

Yiu, J., Hally, K., Holley, A., & Larsen, P. (2020). Circulating low-density neutrophils in acute myocardial infarction. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 29(Suppl. 2), (pp. S242). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2020.09.464

Holley, A., Harding, S., & Larsen, P. (2020). An analysis on gender disparities in a contemporary acute myocardial infarction (AMI) cohort. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 29(Suppl. 2), (pp. S235). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2020.09.447

Fahmi, H., Laurie, A., Shepherd, P., Bhoothpur, C., Legget, M., Doughty, R., Holley, A., Larsen, P., & Gladding, P. (2020). Clinical applications of polygenic risk scores in coronary artery disease and familial hypercholesterolaemia. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 29(Suppl. 1), (pp. S5-S6). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2020.05.017

2019

Journal - Research Other

Thunders, M., Holley, A., Harding, S., Stockwell, P., & Larsen, P. (2019). Using NGS-methylation profiling to understand the molecular pathogenesis of young MI patients who have subsequent cardiac events [Brief report]. Epigenetics, 14(6), 536-544. doi: 10.1080/15592294.2019.1605815

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Gunawardene, A., Manning, S., Danielson, K., Holley, A., Kristono, G., Shekouh, A., Larsen, P., & Dennett, E. (2019). A combined IL8 and CEA score is an effective marker of metastatic colorectal cancer. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 89(Suppl. 1), (pp. 23). doi: 10.1111/ans.15180

Kristono, G., Holley, A., Lakshman, P., Brunton-O'Sullivan, M., Harding, S., & Larsen, P. (2019). A systematic review of inflammatory cytokines as predictors of long-term outcome in acute coronary syndromes. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 28(Suppl. 1), (pp. S19). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2019.05.051

Brunton-O'Sullivan, M., Holley, A., Hally, K., Harding, S., & Larsen, P. (2019). An exploratory factor analysis of circulating extracellular matrix biomarkers in acute myocardial infarction. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 28(Suppl. 1), (pp. S14). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2019.05.039

2018

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Kristono, G., Holley, A., Sasse, A., Harding, S., & Larsen, P. (2018). Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic marker in acute myocardial infarction. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 27(Suppl. 2), (pp. S332-S333). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2018.06.645

Kirby, A., Holley, A., Aitken, A., Larsen, P., & Harding, S. (2018). Family history of premature coronary artery disease: Accuracy and predictor of risk. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 27(Suppl. 1), (pp. S26). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2018.05.159

2017

Journal - Research Article

Holley, A., Pitman, J., Miller, J., Harding, S., & Larsen, P. (2017). Glutathione peroxidase activity and expression levels are significantly increased in acute coronary syndromes. Journal of Investigative Medicine, 65(5), 919-925. doi: 10.1136/jim-2016-000361

Harding, S. A., Holley, A., Wilkins, B., Fairley, S., Simmonds, M., & Larsen, P. D. (2017). Contemporary antiplatelet therapy in acute coronary syndromes: Are there differences in outcomes and discontinuation between clopidogrel and ticagrelor? Internal Medicine Journal, 47(11), 1298-1305. doi: 10.1111/imj.13595

Larsen, P. D., Holley, A. S., Sasse, A., Al-Sinan, A., Fairley, S., & Harding, S. A. (2017). Comparison of Multiplate and VerifyNow platelet function tests in predicting clinical outcome in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Thrombosis Research, 152, 14-19. doi: 10.1016/j.thromres.2017.02.006

Matsis, K., Holley, A., Al-Sinan, A., Matsis, P., Larsen, P. D., & Harding, S. A. (2017). Differing clinical characteristics between young and older patients presenting with myocardial infarction. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 26(6), 566-571. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2016.09.007

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Holley, A., Northcott, H., Gladding, P., Harding, S., & Larsen, P. (2017). Significant differences in genetic risk profiles between Maori and European presenting with myocardial infarction. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 26(Suppl. 2), (pp. S307-S308). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2017.06.612

Holley, A., Wilkins, B., Fairley, S., Ranchord, A., Larsen, P., & Harding, S. (2017). Prior myocardial infarction an independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular events. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 26(Suppl. 2), (pp. S91). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2017.06.110

Fake, A., Holley, A., Kirby, A., Sasse, A., Larsen, P., & Harding, S. (2017). Evaluating the ability of bleeding risk scores and platelet reactivity to predict bleeding risk in those presenting with myocardial infarction. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 26(Suppl. 2), (pp. S77). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2017.06.078

Harding, S., Holley, A., Fairley, S., Wilkins, B., Simmonds, M., & Larsen, P. (2017). Contemporary antiplatelet therapy in acute coronary syndromes: Are there differences in outcomes and complications between clopidogrel and ticagrelor? Heart, Lung & Circulation, 26(Suppl. 2), (pp. S292-S293). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2017.06.576

Lim, R. Y., Holley, A., Fairley, S., Sasse, A., Larsen, P., & Harding, S. (2017). Ticagrelor use and platelet reactivity in Maori and diabetic patients with acute coronary syndromes. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 26(Suppl. 1), (pp. S5). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2017.05.012

Wilkins, B., Matsis, P., Simmonds, M., Holley, A., Larsen, P., & Harding, S. (2017). Ticagrelor use and the “treatment risk paradox” in elderly patients with acute coronary syndromes. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 26(Suppl. 1), (pp. S7). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2017.05.018

O'Connor, M., Ranchord, A., Holley, A., Larsen, P., & Harding, S. (2017). What are the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients prescribed less than 12 months of Dual Anti-Platelet Therapy (DAPT) after an Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) event? Heart, Lung & Circulation, 26(Suppl. 1), (pp. S20). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2017.05.052

Kirby, A., Aitken, A., Simmonds, M., Holley, A., Larsen, P., & Harding, S. (2017). Readmission rates 30 days following myocardial infarction. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 26(Suppl. 1), (pp. S17-S18). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2017.05.045

2016

Journal - Research Article

Holley, A., Harding, S., Sasse, A., Miller, J., & Larsen, P. (2016). Reduced glutathione peroxidase activity predicts increased cardiovascular risk following an acute coronary syndrome. International Cardiovascular Forum Journal, 6, 61-65. doi: 10.17987/icfj.v6i0.241

Holley, A. S., Miller, J. H., Larsen, P. D., & Harding, S. A. (2016). Relationship between glutathione peroxidase, platelet reactivity, and reactive oxygen species in an acute coronary syndrome population. Annals of Clinical & Laboratory Science, 46(6), 639-644.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Holley, A., Al-Sinan, A., Fairley, S., Simmonds, M., Larsen, P., & Harding, S. (2016). Residual platelet reactivity measured by VerifyNow® is more predictive than Multiplate® of one year outcomes following acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Heart, Lung & Circulation, 25(Suppl. 2), (pp. S62). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2016.06.140

Holley, A., Matsis, K., Northcott, H., Gladding, P., Harding, S., & Larsen, P. (2016). Genetic risk scoring in a young myocardial infarction (MI) population. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 25(Suppl. 2), (pp. S283-S284). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2016.06.664

2015

Journal - Research Article

Larsen, P. D., Johnston, L. R., Holley, A., La Flamme, A., Smyth, L., Chua, E. W., Kennedy, M. A., & Harding, S. A. (2015). Prevalence and significance of CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*17 alleles in a New Zealand acute coronary syndrome population. Internal Medicine Journal, 45(5), 537-545. doi: 10.1111/imj.12698

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Holley, A., Miller, J., Harding, S., & Larsen, P. (2015). Characterisation of the glutathione peroxidase system in coronary artery disease. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 24(Suppl. 3), (pp. S140). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2015.06.064

Harding, S., Fairley, S., Al-Sinan, A., Holley, A., Howard, C., Matsis, P., Aitken, A., & Larsen, P. (2015). Bleeding, dyspnoea and discontinuation in a real world ACS cohort treated with ticagrelor. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 24(Suppl. 3), (pp. S376). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2015.06.615

Howard, C., Holley, A., Sasse, A., Harding, S., & Larsen, P. (2015). Is the incidence of high on treatment platelet reactivity (HOTPR) reduced in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients treated with ticagrelor? Heart, Lung & Circulation, 24(Suppl. 2), (pp. S100). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2015.04.126

2014

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Plunkett, S., Ranchord, A., Matsis, P., Holley, A., Larsen, P., & Harding, S. (2014). "Normal" coronary arteries in the setting of acute coronary syndromw: Frequency and outcomes. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 23(Suppl. 1), (pp. e36-e37). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2014.04.222

Legge, C., Al-Sinan, A., Holley, A., Johnston, L., Larsen, P., & Harding, S. (2014). Does timing of platelet function testing (PFT) contribute to variability in residual on-treatment platelet reactivity in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS)? Heart, Lung & Circulation, 23(Suppl. 1), (pp. e31). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2014.04.205

Holley, A., Miller, J., Harding, S., & Larsen, P. (2014). Variability and prognostic significance of antioxidant enzymes in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Heart, Lung & Circulation, 23(Suppl. 1), (pp. e27). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2014.04.196

Hally, K., Johnston, L., Holley, A., Larsen, P., & Harding, S. (2014). Platelet count and platelet function testing in acute coronary syndromes. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 23(Suppl. 1), (pp. e26). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2014.04.192

2013

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Holley, A., Johnston, L., Harding, S., & Larsen, P. (2013). High levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are associated with reduced glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Heart, Lung & Circulation, 22(Suppl. 1), (pp. S41). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2013.05.098

Johnston, L., Smyth, L., Kennedy, M., Holley, A., Sasse, A., La Flamme, A., Larsen, P., & Harding, S. (2013). High on treatment platelet reactivity is associated with a higher risk of MACE in ACS patients: Diabetes and loss of function genotype the driving forces. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 22(7), (pp. 561). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2013.04.035

Holley, A. S., Johnston, L. R., Harding, S. A., & Larsen, P. D. (2013). Reduced glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is correlated with high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Heart, Lung & Circulation, 22(7), (pp. 560-561). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2013.04.033

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Holley, A. S., Johnston, L. R., Harding, S. A., & Larsen, P. D. (2013, August). Prognostic significance of antioxidant enzymes in acute coronary syndrome patients. Poster session presented at the Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Meetings, Queenstown, New Zealand.

2012

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Johnston, L., Holley, A., Chen-Xu, M., Larsen, P., & Harding, S. (2012). Significant disagreement between the VerifyNow and Multiplate assays in the classification of high platelet reactivity on clopidogrel. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 21(Suppl. 1), (pp. S174-S175). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2012.05.434

Chen-Xu, M., Johnston, L., Holley, A., Sasse, A., Larsen, P. D., & Harding, S. A. (2012). Comparison of the Multiplate and VerifyNow assays for monitoring residual platelet reactivity after clopidogrel. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 21(8), (pp. 483-484). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2012.03.025

Johnston, L. R., Holley, A. S., Chen-Xu, M., La Flamme, A. C., Larsen, D., & Harding, S. A. (2012). High residual platelet reactivity on aspirin in a New Zealand ACS population. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 21(8), (pp. 491-492). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2012.03.043

Holley, A. S., Johnston, L. R., Chen-Xu, M., Sasse, A., Larsen, P. D., & Harding, S. A. (2012). Plasma antioxidant enzyme levels in acute coronary syndrome. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 21(8), (pp. 490). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2012.03.040