Vladimir G. Fast

Dr. Vladimir G. Fast is a Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). His research focuses on cardiac electrophysiology, mechanisms of arrhythmias, optical imaging of cardiac activity, and tissue engineering. He joined UAB in 1997 and teaches courses in Biomedical Engineering and Cardiac Electrophysiology.

Education: B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Physics and Biophysics from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.

Research Interests: Dr. Fast explores the effects of electrical fields on cardiac cells, electrophysiological properties of engineered cardiac tissue, and cardiac regeneration using stem cell-derived constructs. His work integrates optical imaging, biomimetic models, and bioreactor systems to study cardiac repair and arrhythmia mechanisms.

Key Contributions: His recent studies include developing cardiac muscle patches using pluripotent stem cells, enhancing cardiac cell repair through genetic modifications (e.g., N-cadherin, TBX20), and optimizing 3D spheroid models for myocardial infarction therapy. His research emphasizes translational applications of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Professional Activities: Dr. Fast is affiliated with academic societies in biomedical engineering and cardiology. His work has led to advancements in understanding electrophysiological properties of engineered cardiac tissues and optimizing cell-based therapies.