How did you decide that you wanted to be a researcher?

“Besides being a doctor, my love for technology and being a computer nerd inspired me to specialise in cardiac imaging in clinical practice. As I explored this field, I became aware of new technologies that greatly improved heart imaging through various methods. Witnessing their potential and impact on medical diagnostics, I was driven to become a researcher in this area.”

What is your main area of interest?

“During my PhD research, I was introduced to an incredibly innovative technology, a novel approach to flow imaging of the heart. Unlike standard flow imaging, which only captures flow in one direction, this new technique provided a comprehensive view of the heart’s flow dynamics in three dimensions. This revelation was eye-opening as I realised that the flow inside the heart is far more complex than a simple forward motion. It involves simultaneous forward and backward movements, accompanied by the formation of vortices similar to those seen in thunderstorms.

“The introduction of this ground-breaking technology, known as 4D flow MRI, offered immense potential for clinical applications. Recognising its significance, I became deeply compelled to invest my time and efforts into developing it for use in clinical practice. Today, my focus remains on advancing this technology for the benefit of patients.”

What research are you working on right now?

“As you may be aware, heart failure poses a significant challenge. The current diagnostic approach for heart failure involves assessing the pressures within the heart, which is considered the gold standard method. However, this typically requires invasive procedures, which are expensive and have risks.

“In routine clinical practice, echocardiograms, which use ultrasound-based methods, are commonly used to estimate pressures in the heart, but they often lack precision.

“To address this unmet clinical need, my research group is dedicated to developing highly accurate and precise non-invasive techniques for measuring these pressures using the new 4D MRI.”

Why did you want to be part of our NET panel?

“I personally had the opportunity to apply for a NET grant, and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed the process. The NET grant scheme is truly exceptional, as it provides a platform for the evolution of novel emerging techniques that may carry an element of risk within the UK landscape. This approach fosters innovation and encourages collaborative efforts between researchers and the industry to develop solutions that have the potential to bring tangible benefits to patients.”

Where do you think novel and emerging technology will take cardiovascular disease treatments in the future?

“Novel and emerging technologies encompass a wide range of scientific aspects, including fundamental research exploring molecular components, as well as hardware and software solutions that offer fresh perspectives and insights into understanding heart disease. These technological advancements bring us closer to effectively delivering improved care to patients.

“Moreover, the field of artificial intelligence (AI) holds significant potential. In my view, it’s crucial to emphasise the utilisation of existing data to extract valuable information and enable informed clinical decision-making. However, I want to express caution regarding the use of AI as a black box. As doctors and scientists, it’s essential that we maintain a level of vigilance and not overly rely on AI to provide definitive answers, such as diagnosing heart disease. Instead, we should use AI to discover the underlying mechanisms driving heart disease, to enhance our understanding of the condition.”

Why would you say that investing in research is important for the future?

“Currently, the UK is undergoing a transitional phase where the loss of EU funding and research opportunities is a significant concern. This loss has the potential to exert a profoundly negative impact, not only impeding the development of future research endeavours but also hindering the growth of our domestic pool of talented professionals. Without the ability to attract and retain exceptional individuals, we risk impeding innovation itself.

“It’s crucial that we maintain a continuous stream of funding for innovative technologies that directly benefit patients. The field of science is experiencing rapid evolution, and in the span of just five or ten years, the technological landscape will undergo a complete transformation.

“Failure to invest in research within the UK will ultimately result in adverse consequences for both patients and scientific community.

“So it’s important that we prioritise research investments to ensure UK is at the forefront of scientific breakthroughs which lead to improvement in health.”