Vikas Kapil

Dr. Vikas Kapil is a Clinical Senior Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Honorary Consultant in Cardiovascular Medicine at Queen Mary University of London's William Harvey Research Institute (WHRI), part of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. He holds dual roles as WHRI Deputy Lead for Teaching and Consultant at Barts Heart Centre's BP Centre of Excellence. His academic career includes a PhD (2015) on inorganic nitrate's cardiovascular effects under Prof. Amrita Ahluwalia.

Education

• MBBS: Medicine & Anatomy at Queen’s College Cambridge (First Class Honours)
• Postgraduate Clinical Training: University College London Medical School
• Residency: St Thomas’ and St Bartholomew’s Hospitals

Research Focus

• **Nitrate-Nitrite-NO Pathway**: Pioneered studies on dietary nitrate (beetroot juice) lowering blood pressure and improving cardiovascular function. Current work explores renal handling of nitrate, oral microbiome influences, and sex differences in nitrate metabolism.
• **Refractory Hypertension**: Developed multi-disciplinary approaches for drug-intolerant hypertension, including a 4-step algorithm and device-based therapies (baroreflex stimulation, renal denervation). Investigates autonomic dysfunction in POTS and highly variable blood pressure.

Publications & Impact Recent work emphasizes SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics, hypertension guidelines, and nitrate's role in inflammation resolution. Over 150 peer-reviewed articles span cardiovascular pharmacology, hypertension pathophysiology, and clinical trials.

Awards & Recognition

• 2014 Austin Doyle Award (International Society of Hypertension)
• 2012 ESH Science Award
• 2009 GlaxoSmithKline Prize (British Pharmacological Society)

Teaching & Training Leads therapeutics modules for MBBS and BSc Biomedical Sciences courses. Supervises multiple PhD students in vascular pharmacology and BP disorders. Collaborates with UK and international institutions on educational resources.

Labs & Teams Member of the Vascular Pharmacology Group and Blood Pressure Group at WHRI. Active in clinical trials for novel hypertension devices (e.g., Barostim Neo) and interdisciplinary cardiovascular research.