Steffen Huber, MD is an Associate Professor of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging and Service Chief of Body MRI at Yale School of Medicine. He graduated from Humboldt University of Berlin with an MD in 2005. His expertise lies in advanced cardiovascular imaging and application of artificial intelligence in radiology. Key research focuses include tricuspid valve flow quantification using deep learning and oncology-related myocardial inflammation assessment through MRI. Dr. Huber's academic affiliations include leadership roles in multiple departments: Abdominal Imaging, Advanced Cardiac Imaging, and the Program for Innovation in Imaging Informatics. He collaborates extensively with clinicians and engineers to develop novel imaging techniques, as evidenced by recent publications on automated valve-tracking frameworks and drug-induced cardiotoxicity cases. His technical contributions span both clinical and methodological advancements in cardiovascular MRI, with particular emphasis on improving diagnostic accuracy through automated analysis tools. Fluency in English and German supports his international collaborations.
Paul Gravel is an Associate Research Scientist at Yale School of Medicine, affiliated with the Radiology & Biomedical Imaging department and the PET Core. His work focuses on advanced neuroimaging techniques, particularly PET imaging, to study brain function and disorders. Key research areas include dopamine and serotonin receptor dynamics, Alzheimer’s disease, and the development of novel PET technologies for high-resolution brain imaging. Gravel contributes to cutting-edge studies involving motion correction, scatter correction, and next-generation PET scanners like the NeuroEXPLORER. His research also explores synaptic density in autism spectrum disorder and the impact of age and BMI on histamine receptors. Gravel collaborates extensively with interdisciplinary teams, advancing both clinical applications and fundamental neuroscience through innovative imaging methodologies. His publications span topics such as dopamine receptor availability in cocaine use disorder, serotonin synthesis in obsessive-compulsive disorder, and technical advancements in PET reconstruction algorithms. Gravel’s work bridges clinical neurology, radiology, and biomedical engineering, aiming to enhance diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic insights through advanced imaging tools.
Efstathios Stiliaris is an Experimental Nuclear Physicist at the Department of Physics of the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens since 2016, where he also served as Acting Head of the Nuclear and Particle Physics Laboratory until 2022. He concurrently holds the position of Adjunct Associate Professor at The Cyprus Institute in Nicosia, Cyprus since 2013, leading the research group at the SPECT Laboratory (SPECT-Lab). His primary research focuses on experimental nuclear physics, medical imaging technologies, and hadronic physics, with a strong emphasis on developing advanced imaging modalities such as SPECT, Compton cameras, and AI-driven solutions for radiological diagnostics. His expertise spans radiation detection technologies, including gamma-camera systems, thermal tomography, and the development of dual-modality contrast agents for SPECT/MRI and PET/MRI applications. He has pioneered novel reconstruction algorithms like RISE and ComptonRec, addressing challenges in image quality enhancement and inverse problem solutions. His work bridges nuclear physics fundamentals with clinical applications, leveraging machine learning for therapeutic and diagnostic advancements. Key contributions include optimizing semi-pixelated scintillation crystals for planar imaging, exploring proton structure through pion photoproduction analyses, and advancing thermal tomography through physics-informed neural networks. His multidisciplinary approach integrates computational physics, material science, and biomedical engineering to address unresolved challenges in medical imaging instrumentation and radiation detection systems. Stiliaris has collaborated on projects involving the CMS Collaboration at CERN and contributed to experimental methodologies for thermal loss estimation in molten salt energy systems. His research group maintains active involvement in both fundamental physics and translational medical imaging technologies, emphasizing lab-to-clinic transitions through rigorous validation protocols and novel experimental setups.
Dr. Samia Kazi is an Adjunct Associate Lecturer affiliated with the Westmead Applied Research Centre under the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. Her research spans cardiology, internal medicine, and digital health, with a focus on cardiovascular diagnostics, inflammation in coronary artery disease, and microbiome interactions with medications. Research Interests Cardiology (arrhythmias, myocardial infarction risk factors) Diabetes and cardiovascular outcomes Digital health interventions for heart disease prevention Microbiome interactions with cardiovascular drugs Public health strategies for postpartum diabetes management In 2024, she published extensively on single-lead ECG diagnostics, inflammation in coronary disease, and microbiome effects of cardiovascular medications. Her earlier work (2022–2023) examined non-invasive cardiac testing preferences, Brugada syndrome treatments, and gestational diabetes postpartum care. She collaborates with multidisciplinary teams across epidemiology, pharmacology, and digital health. Labs & Collaborations Dr. Kazi contributes to the Westmead Applied Research Centre, engaging in clinical and public health studies with teams at the University of Sydney and national institutions like the National Heart Foundation of Australia.
Dr. Bill Mullen is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow's School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health. He holds expertise in mass spectrometry and biomarker development, particularly in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. His work includes identifying causal links between diet and health, leveraging systems biology approaches. Notably, his research has been recognized with the 'Highly Cited Researcher' title (Thompson Reuters, 2014). Prior to academia, he worked in pharmaceutical drug metabolism and founded a company designing scientific instruments for metabolite analysis. His research interests span proteomics, nutrition science, and the development of urinary biomarkers for chronic diseases. Dr. Mullen has published over 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts and contributed to studies on dietary interventions (e.g., olive oil supplementation) and biomarker validation in conditions like hypertension and kidney disease. Education and Affiliations: He returned to the University of Glasgow in 1998 after industry experience, initially working in the Plant Products and Human Nutrition group. His lab focuses on translational research, integrating clinical and omics data for disease biomarker discovery. Research Focus: Dr. Mullen's work emphasizes non-invasive biomarker technologies, particularly urinary peptidomics for early disease detection. His studies include collaborations on cardiovascular risk assessment, kidney disease progression, and the impact of dietary components on health markers. Recent projects include the African-PREDICT study, analyzing cardiovascular risk factors through peptidomics. Awards: Highly Cited Researcher (2014).
Prof. Rozemarijn Vliegenthart is a Professor and Radiologist at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Radiology. She holds leadership roles including President of the European Society of Cardiovascular Radiology and Fellowships with the International Cancer Imaging Society and North American Society for Cardiovascular Imaging. Her research focuses on cardiothoracic radiology, epidemiology, and large-scale imaging studies, with a particular emphasis on AI integration in radiology and cardiovascular imaging outcomes. She has contributed to over 390 publications and is actively involved in editorial roles for journals like Radiology and European Journal of Radiology . Key research areas: Pulmonary nodules, cardiovascular MRI/CT, AI-driven diagnostics, and imaging biomarkers. Leadership: Editor roles, society presidencies, and global guideline development. Her work bridges clinical practice and innovation, addressing topics like lung cancer screening, coronary artery disease imaging, and the ethical use of AI in healthcare. Awards & Affiliations Fellowships: International Cancer Imaging Society, North American Society for Cardiovascular Imaging. Editorial Boards: Radiology (Consultant to the Editor), Journal of Thoracic Imaging (Consulting Editor for Statistics). Grants & Collaborations Involved in major initiatives like the MEDIRAD study on radiation effects and the ImaLife cohort for imaging biomarkers. Collaborates internationally on CT/MRI protocols, AI frameworks, and population health studies. Labs & Teams Part of the Medical Imaging Center and interdisciplinary teams at the Cardiovascular Centre (CVC) and BRIDGE research group, focusing on translational imaging and digital health advancements.
Gerard te Meerman is a Professor affiliated with the University of Groningen. His research focuses on genetics, molecular biology, and genomics, with contributions to understanding genetic disorders such as spinocerebellar ataxia, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, and epidermolysis bullosa. He has co-supervised multiple PhD students and contributed to significant projects like the NIPTeR R package for trisomy prediction in prenatal testing. His work spans prenatal diagnostics, genetic risk factors, and bioinformatics tools. Key research areas include cytogenetics, gene expression studies, and disease mechanisms. He has published over 160 articles and datasets, demonstrating expertise in translating genetic insights into clinical applications.
Alex Antonopoulos is a Researcher at the Radcliffe Department of Medicine within the University of Oxford. His work focuses on the interplay between adipose tissue and the cardiovascular system, particularly in the context of vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. He earned his PhD at the University of Athens, Greece , where he studied adiponectin's role in endothelial function. Subsequently, he received a European Society of Cardiology Grant and a Marie Curie Fellowship to continue his research under Professor Charalambos Antoniades at Oxford. His research involves developing imaging biomarkers to non-invasively detect vascular inflammation. He pioneered a CT-based methodology for coronary inflammation tracking through perivascular fat changes. European Society of Cardiology Grant Marie Curie Fellowship Antonopoulos contributes to translational cardiovascular research, focusing on the crosstalk between epicardial/perivascular adipose tissue and the heart/vessels . His work aims to improve clinical risk stratification for coronary artery disease patients.
Dr John Rihari-Thomas is a Senior Lecturer (Teaching and Research) at the Sydney Nursing School, part of the University of Sydney's Faculty of Medicine and Health. He holds clinical expertise in cardiology and patient deterioration management, with roles in state-level Clinical Excellence Commission advisory groups and the Cardiovascular Research Network. His research focuses on implementation science, patient safety, and de-implementation of low-value care practices. He led the ACCELERATE and ENCORE randomized control trials to improve nursing practices in acute care settings, reducing adverse clinical events like cardiac arrests. He also implemented the Rapid Response System (RRS) at St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney. Research interests include person-centered practice, nurse welfare, and behavior change strategies. He collaborates internationally with institutions like Emory University (USA) and the WHO Collaborating Centre in Austria. Awards include the 2023 Fast Forward Presentation Award for his ACCELERATE trial work and the 2021 Nursing Research Institute Award. Key affiliations include the Institute for Health Improvement (USA), Sydney Health Partners Implementation Science Academy, and the National Heart Foundation. His recent presentations include chairing the NSW Cardiovascular Research Network Masterclass and delivering the inaugural Sydney-Emory Research Seminar. Professional networks span Sigma Theta Tau International and the International Society for Rapid Response Systems.
Associate Professor Cindy Thamrin is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Sydney's School of Medical Sciences and Principal Research Scientist at the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care. She holds memberships in major respiratory societies including the American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society. Education: Bachelor of Science/Engineering (BSc/BE) PhD in Respiratory Physiology (University of Western Australia) Research Focus: Advanced lung function testing, home telemonitoring of COPD and asthma, and predictive analytics for respiratory outcomes. Her work combines biomedical engineering principles with clinical medicine to improve diagnostics and therapies for airway diseases. Awards & Recognition: Ann Woolcock Young Investigator Award (2013) John Read Prize for Physiology Research (2005) Multiple grants from NHMRC, ATS, and Swiss National Science Foundation Grants & Projects: Telemonitoring of lung function variability in COPD/asthma (NHMRC 2015) EXHALYZER D Pulmonary Function Testing equipment grant (NHMRC 2014) International Collaboration: Partnering with Politecnico di Milano on variability analysis of home lung monitoring data.
Catherine Martel is a Professor at the Université de Montréal's Faculty of Medicine, holding positions in both the Department of Medicine and the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology. She is also affiliated with the Montreal Heart Institute (Institut de Cardiologie de Montréal), where she leads research on the lymphatic system's role in cardiovascular disease. Her research expertise centers on cardiovascular system biology, with specific focus on atherosclerosis, lymphatic function, and reverse cholesterol transport. Dr. Martel discovered a new integrated model for macrophage reverse cholesterol transport, identifying the lymphatic system as a prerequisite player in the modulation of cholesterol removal from artery walls. Her work has demonstrated that without a functional lymphatic network, cholesterol excreted from plaque macrophages cannot be properly conducted out of the artery wall. Her publication record shows a consistent focus on the interplay between lymphatic function and atherosclerosis, with recent work expanding into extracellular vesicles, microvesicles, and their role in lymphatic vessel function. Her research combines molecular biology, cell biology, and cardiovascular physiology approaches to understand disease mechanisms and identify novel therapeutic targets. Prix Martial G. Bourassa, Outstanding scientist Société Québécoise d'Hypertension Artérielle New Investigator Award Fondation Jacques-de Champlain / Heart & Stroke Fondation New Investigator Award Banting Research Foundation Discovery Award American Heart Association Best of Specialty Conferences recognition Dr. Martel actively supervises graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, with a track record of mentoring students through Master's and PhD programs. She currently holds the Canada Research Chair in Lymphatics and Cardiovascular Medicine and leads multiple research projects funded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, and Heart and Stroke Foundation. Her laboratory investigates lymphatic vessel function in atherosclerosis using various cellular and molecular biology techniques including flow cytometry, western blot, immunofluorescence, intravital imaging, and PCR.
Chris Wilkinson is a Senior Lecturer and full-time Employability Tutor at the York Law School, University of York. He coordinates the Law School's Careers & Development Programme, leveraging his prior experience as a solicitor at Hammonds (now Squire Patton Boggs) and roles in legal education, including Head of Careers at the College of Law (now University of Law). His career also includes product management in retail and freelance careers advisory work. Education: BA Hons (Newcastle), Certificates in Legal Practice (Northumbria) and Careers Guidance (Reading), with non-practising solicitor status. His professional roles emphasize bridging legal education and industry employability. Research interests span cardiovascular care innovations (e.g., drone-delivered defibrillators, AI in healthcare) and legal profession career development. He leads initiatives to improve patient outcomes through standardized clinical measures (EuroHeart) and explores equity in healthcare access. External roles include former Chair of the AGCAS Legal Profession Task Group, instrumental in preserving the Voluntary Code for Trainee Solicitor Recruitment. His work intersects healthcare policy (e.g., atrial fibrillation management) and legal education advocacy. Labs/teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary groups on healthcare technology and cardiovascular outcomes research. Grants and awards: Not explicitly listed, but his contributions to AGCAS and EuroHeart reflect impactful professional engagement.
Aymen Alian is an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology at Yale School of Medicine and serves as the interim Division Chief for Obstetrics & Gynecologic Anesthesiology. He is a board-certified anesthesiologist and clinical researcher with expertise in non-invasive monitoring techniques for assessing physiological changes during anesthesia and surgery. Dr. Alian received his medical degree (MBChB) from Zagazig University in 1991, completed his internship at Griffin Hospital in 2005, and finished his residency in Anesthesiology at Yale-New Haven Hospital in 2008. Dr. Alian's research focuses on cardiopulmonary and autonomic physiology, with particular emphasis on using non-invasive monitoring techniques to detect central hypovolemia during surgical procedures. His laboratory investigates pulse oximetry and cerebral oximetry waveforms as sensitive biomarkers of physiological changes. His work bridges clinical anesthesiology with advanced signal processing techniques to improve patient monitoring and safety, particularly in obstetric settings. He has published extensively on photoplethysmography (PPG) technology and its applications in clinical monitoring. Analysis of Dr. Alian's recent publications reveals a strong focus on photoplethysmography technology, hypovolemia detection, and obstetric anesthesiology. His research spans from fundamental physiological investigations using lower body negative pressure models to clinical applications in pregnancy and surgical settings. The work demonstrates increasing sophistication in signal processing techniques applied to physiological monitoring, with recent publications exploring camera-based PPG imaging and advanced algorithm development. Faculty Awards of Excellence in education and mentorship Dr. Alian is nationally recognized as an educator who has received multiple teaching awards. His research appears to be supported by active funding given his extensive publication record. He collaborates with researchers across disciplines including Kirk Shelley, Kristen L. Fardelmann, and Antonio Gonzalez-Fiol, bridging clinical medicine with engineering and data science to develop advanced monitoring techniques. As Division Chief, he oversees the Obstetric & Gynecological Anesthesiology division at Yale. Dr. Alian leads a research laboratory focused on analyzing physiological waveforms from monitoring devices to extract clinically useful information beyond traditional parameters. His team integrates expertise from anesthesiology, biomedical engineering, and data science to translate physiological insights into improved patient monitoring systems, particularly for high-risk obstetric patients where early detection of physiological deterioration is critical.
Ruchika Karnik, MBBS, is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics (Cardiology) at Yale School of Medicine and serves as the Associate Program Director for the Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship. She is affiliated with multiple Yale centers including the Children's Heart Center, Fetal Care Center, and Pediatric Echocardiogram Program. Dr. Karnik provides comprehensive care for children with congenital and acquired heart diseases from fetus to adolescence at Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital and Old Saybrook Medical Center. Yale School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics Children's Heart Center Fetal Care Center Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program Pediatric Echocardiogram Program Dr. Karnik completed her medical education at Rajiv Gandhi Medical College (MBBS, 2009), followed by pediatric residency at New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center (2014) and Jackson Memorial Hospital at University of Miami, and completed her Pediatric Cardiology fellowship at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (2017) before joining Yale. Her research focuses on fetal cardiology, congenital heart defects, and pediatric echocardiography. She has published extensively on topics including prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease, ventricular remodeling after cardiac procedures, and assessment of fellowship training readiness. Dr. Karnik has pioneered work in connecting fetal echocardiography findings with long-term outcomes for children with heart defects. Dr. Karnik's recent publications show a strong focus on evaluating pediatric cardiology fellowship training outcomes, congenital heart disease management, and diagnostic approaches for pediatric cardiac conditions. Her work bridges clinical practice with medical education research, particularly examining readiness for independent practice among pediatric subspecialty fellows. Fellow of American Society of Echocardiography (2021) Dr. Karnik serves as Associate Program Director for the Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship at Yale, mentoring the next generation of pediatric cardiologists. She is actively involved in multiple professional organizations including the Association of Pediatric Program Directors Subspecialty Investigator Network, New England Journal of Medicine Resident 360 Prep, and as Co-Chair and Executive Board Member of the New England Congenital Cardiology Association. Her clinical trial involvement includes the STOP BLOQ study for fetal atrioventricular block and the CorMatrix Cor TRICUSPID ECM Valve Replacement Study. Dr. Karnik leads clinical services in the Children's Heart Center and Fetal Care Center at Yale, specializing in fetal echocardiography and management of complex congenital heart conditions. She is known for her patient-centered approach, using hand-drawn illustrations to help families understand complex cardiac anatomy and treatment pathways.
Dr. Antonio Riera is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics (Emergency Medicine) at Yale School of Medicine and an attending physician at Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital. He specializes in pediatric emergency medicine with a focus on point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) and health disparities in Latino populations. His roles include Director of Pediatric Emergency Ultrasound, Director of the Pediatric Emergency Ultrasound Fellowship, and Director of the INSPIRAR Project aimed at improving asthma care for Latino children. Education: Pediatric Residency: Weill Cornell-New York Presbyterian Hospital (2007) Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship: Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital (2010) MD: Boston University School of Medicine (2004) BA in Economics: Princeton University (2000) Research Interests: Advancing POCUS applications in pediatric emergency care (e.g., trauma, cardiac assessment, constipation management) Addressing language and communication barriers in asthma care for Latino children Emergency care of pediatric oncology patients Awards: 2020 Yale Department of Pediatrics Honor Roll 2013 Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Gallery of Excellence Award 2012 Top 10 Article of the Year (American Academy of Pediatrics) Grants & Mentorship: Leads clinical research projects on POCUS and health disparities Mentored studies including a novel clinical decision rule for febrile oncology patients Developed language-concordant asthma action plans (asmaplan.com) Labs/Teams: Leads the INSPIRAR Project and the Pediatric Emergency Ultrasound Fellowship Program at Yale.
