ProfessorRamzi Khamis

Professor Ramzi Khamis is a Professor of Cardiology, the Wu Family Endowed Chair of Cardiology at Imperial College London and Consultant Cardiologist specialising in interventional cardiology. Professor Khamis also the High-Risk Atherosclerosis Clinic and the Cardio-Immune Clinic. He served both as head of cardiology and also as the Clinical Director for Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

His research group integrates innovative technologies, such as near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging and positron emission tomography (PET), to visualise oxidised LDL in plaques in vivo. This research focuses on detecting high-risk atherosclerotic plaques that may lead to cardiovascular events, with the aim of enabling more precise interventions. His team has also developed nanoparticle-based agents targeting oxidised LDL in plaques. This translational research has gained recognition, including the British Cardiovascular Society Young Investigator of the Year Award, and continues to explore the links between immune responses and cardiovascular disease.

Professor Khamis' work also encompasses large-scale population studies, drawing on data from the BRC centres database of over 100,000 patients, as well as clinical trials such as ASCOT, SCOTHEART, IBIS3, and NORDIL. His research includes the development of novel biomarkers, including serological tests to better stratify cardiovascular risk, which have been applied in clinical practice to improve risk assessment.

In addition to his research, Professor Khamis plays a key role in fostering international collaboration. He is the Convener of the Imperial Vulnerable Plaque and Patient Meeting (VPM), a prominent international meeting that brings together experts to discuss advancements in atherosclerosis research.

Professor Khamis is also deeply involved in education and mentorship, having supervised undergraduate and postgraduate students, many of whom have achieved notable academic success. He contributes to teaching at Imperial College, delivering lectures on cardiovascular disease, infection, and immunity.

His research and clinical projects are supported by major funding bodies, including the British Heart Foundation, and involve both UK and international partners. His focus on identifying high-risk plaques and developing diagnostic and therapeutic tools aims to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease and improve patient outcomes.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor Khamis co-led the response for cardiology services at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, ensuring continuity of care and recovery of cardiac services across the NHS. He also chaired the British Heart Foundation Imperial COVID-19 Cardiovascular Symposium, which attracted nearly 20,000 virtual attendees, emphasising the importance of cardiovascular health during the pandemic.

Background and Training

Professor Khamis trained in general and interventional cardiology at Imperial College and its affiliated hospitals. He completed his interventional cardiology fellowships at Hammersmith Hospital and earned his consultant accreditation from the Royal College of Physicians, as well as a PhD in Translational Cardiovascular Medicine from Imperial College in 2014. He is a Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology (FESC).

Professor Khamis graduated from the University of Bristol in 2000 and completed his early training at Bristol, Bath, and Leeds, followed by general internal medicine training at Barts and The London. He also taught physiology at Bristol University. He completed an Academic Clinical Fellowship funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), integrating both clinical and academic training. His PhD work, supported by the British Heart Foundation, focused on the role of oxidised LDL in atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability, developing imaging techniques and therapeutic strategies with clinical implications for cardiovascular risk assessment.