About the OpenEP Research Laboratory.
About
The OpenEP Research Laboratory is a collaborative research group focused on advancing the science and technology of cardiac electrophysiology through computational methods, data science, and open research tools. The laboratory brings together investigators from the University of Edinburgh, King’s College London, and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, combining expertise in clinical electrophysiology, biomedical engineering, and computational modelling.
Our work aims to transform complex electrophysiology data into deeper mechanistic insight and practical research tools that enable new approaches to studying cardiac arrhythmias. By integrating clinical mapping data, advanced signal analysis, and cardiac simulation frameworks, the laboratory develops methods that help researchers and clinicians better understand the mechanisms that sustain atrial and ventricular arrhythmias.
A central focus of the group is the development of open and accessible research software that enables reproducible electrophysiology research across institutions. The laboratory maintains and develops the OpenEP ecosystem, a widely used open platform for analysing clinical electrophysiology mapping data, alongside new tools designed to broaden access to advanced analysis and modelling techniques.
The group’s work also led to the development of EP Workbench, a cross-platform environment designed to make electrophysiology data analysis more accessible to clinicians, cardiac physiologists, and researchers who may not have extensive programming experience. Initially conceived to extend the usability of OpenEP, the platform has evolved into a broader research environment supporting advanced analysis, algorithm development, and integration with cardiac simulation frameworks.
Through this combination of clinical collaboration, computational modelling, and open science, the OpenEP Research Laboratory aims to accelerate discovery in cardiac electrophysiology and support a growing international community working to improve the understanding and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.
The Team
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Steven Williams
Director
Dr Williams provides strategic leadership for the OpenEP Research Laboratory, overseeing research direction, infrastructure and collaborations.
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Dr John Whitaker
Clinical Lead
Dr John Whitaker leads clinical electrophysiology integration and translational research, linking research methods with clinical practice.
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Mark O'Neill
Senior Clinical Advisor
Professor O’Neill provides senior clinical guidance, mentorship, and strategic advice supporting translational and clinical impact.
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Vinush Vigneswaran
Software Lead
Vinush is the lead software engineer responsible for code implementation.
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Kestutis Maciunas
Post doctoral research associate
Kestutis is a biomedical engineer, responsible for development of analysis algorithms.
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Neil Bodagh
PhD Candidate
Dr Bodagh is a Cardiology Registrar and PhD candidate at the OpenEP Research Laboratory. He is a recipient of a highly competitive Medical Research Council Clinical Research Training Fellowship.
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Magda Klis
PhD Candidate
Dr Klis is a Cardiology Registrar and PhD candidate at the OpenEP Research Laboratory. She is a recipient of a highly competitive British heart Foundation Clinical Research Training Fellowship.
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Arno von Kietzell
PhD Candidate
Arno von Kietzell completed his MPhys in Physics with Meteorology at the University of Edinburgh in 2023. He is in year 2 of the Precision Medicine Doctoral Training Programme. His project focuses on developing new methods for AI interpretation of electrophysiology data..
Alumni
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Iain Sim
PhD
Dr Iain Sim completed his PhD in 2026, entitled “XXX“.
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Irum Kotadia
PhD
Dr Kotadia completed her PhD in 2026, entitled, “An Exploration of the Relationship Between Atrial Fibrillation, Embolic Stroke of Unknown Source and Atrial Cardiomyopathy“.
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Daniel O'Hare
MD
Dr O’Hare completed his MD in 2022, entitled, “Clinical associations and pathological mechanisms of reduced atrial conduction velocity”.
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Louisa O'Neil
PhD
Dr O’Neill completed her PhD in 2020, entitled, “Characterisation of the structural and electrical impact of an atrial septal defect”
Collaborators
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Dr Nick Linton
Imperial College London
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Professor Steven Niederer
Imperial College London
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Miguel Bernabeu
University of Edinburgh
Our Funders
The work of the OpenEP Research Laboratory is only possible through the generous support of our funders. Please click the images below to find out more about their work.
