Rate My Professor Pankaj Saxena

Associate Professor Pankaj Saxena is a Conjoint Associate Professor in the School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, at the University of Newcastle, Australia. He is a qualified cardiothoracic surgeon holding FRACS, PhD, MBBS, MCh, and DNB qualifications. Saxena completed his medical training in India followed by surgical training in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, including a fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, USA. His career history encompasses appointments at The Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane, Queensland; Dunedin Hospital, New Zealand; The Townsville Hospital associated with James Cook University; and currently John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, New South Wales, where he practices as an adult cardiothoracic surgeon.

Saxena's research specializations include cardiothoracic surgery outcomes, heart failure, valve pathology, and related comorbidities. Key publications include "Infective Endocarditis Involving Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Native and Prosthetic Valves: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis" (Heart, Lung and Circulation, 2024), "Getting to the heart of sarcopenia and cardiovascular disease" (Aging, 2025), "Senescence intensifies bleomycin-induced injury in IPF-lung epithelial cells" (ERJ Open Research, 2026), "Impact of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) on outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting: A meta-analysis of unique 247,270 patients from 50 studies" (2026), "Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support in Postcardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock" (Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 2015), "Cardiac transplantation for radiation-induced cardiomyopathy" (Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 2014), "Management of a Left Internal Thoracic Artery Graft Injury During redo Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting" (Heart Lung and Circulation, 2016), and "Lung volume reexpansion surgery: a surgical secret" (Asian Cardiovascular and Thoracic Annals, 2013). His contributions feature systematic reviews and meta-analyses demonstrating impact in surgical advancements. Saxena is passionate about teaching and training the next generation of surgeons and allied health professionals.