Ms Femke Cappon
PhD Student

I initially came to Brunel University in 2017 as part of my undergraduate dissertation project to study reflection waves of aneurysms and stenosis at the Brunel Institute for Bioengineering. I decided to stay around to do my masters in biomedical engineering the year after. I currently am a doctoral researcher working on the development of a mock circulation of the cardiovascular system for testing cardiac assist devices. 

Heart failure is a major health risk, and with limited availability of donor organs, there is an increasing need for developing cardiac assist devices (CADs). Prototypes of CADs have been tested in hydraulic systems that should mimic the function of the cardiovascular system, known as mock circulatory loops (MCLs). Further development merged MCLs and computational circulatory models to improve flexibility and accuracy of the system; commonly known as hybrid mock circulatory loops. During my study, I will be developing the next generation of hybrid mock circulatory loops. My expertise includes experimental research, data analysis, and interpretation. I enjoy using my creativity to find solutions to scientific research problems.

Qualifications

• Master of Science, Biomedical, Biomechanics and Bioelectronics Engineering, Brunel University 
• Bachelor of Applied Science, Engineering Physics, Fontys University of Applied Sciences