Dr. Daniel Burkhoff, Medical Director, CircuLite, Inc. and a leading consultant in the field of heart failure, is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Medical School and Medical Director of IMPULSE Dynamics (a company investigating a device-based therapy for chronic heart failure, Orangeburg, NY) and other medical device companies in cardiovascular medicine. He previously served as Director of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation's J. Skirball Center for Cardiovascular Research (SCCR, Orangeburg, NY). Dr. Burkhoff's training includes a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University in Applied and Engineering Physics and Doctor of Philosophy and Medical degrees from The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He completed his house staff training in Internal Medicine at the Bayview Campus of The Johns Hopkins Hospital and fellowship training in Cardiology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Burkhoff then moved to Columbia University in New York City, where he served as Associate Professor of Medicine in the Divisions of Cardiology at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and as Associate Attending Physician at the New-York Presbyterian Hospital until 2003, after which he assumed his current position. Dr. Burkhoff has authored or co-authored over 180 peer-reviewed journal articles as well as 19 book chapters and several editorials. Dr. Burkhoff's interests include basic and clinical research in heart failure, left ventricular assist devices, ventricular mechanics, valvular heart disease, cardiovascular physiology, coronary circulation and cardiovascular pharmacology.

Dr. Robert Dowling is a Professor at the University of Louisville, Director of the Heart Transplant and Cardiac Assist Devices Program for The Transplant Center at Jewish Hospital and Director of Mechanical Circulatory Support. Since joining the faculty and staff at the University of Louisville and Jewish Hospital in 1994, Dr. Dowling has demonstrated his clinical excellence and dedication to remaining at the forefront of surgical treatment options. In 1995, Dr. Dowling performed the first double-lung transplant in Kentucky; he then performed the first ventricular remodeling in Kentucky the following year. Dr. Dowling is widely recognized as an expert in ventricular remodeling (the “Batista” procedure), transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) and mechanical heart devices. His work on these topics has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Journal for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, the Annals of Thoracic Surgery, the Journal for Cardiothoracic Surgery, Operative Techniques in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery and the ASAIO Journal. Dr. Dowling has also presented related lectures to his peers at the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the American Society of Artificial Internal Organs, the Heart Failure Society of America, the International Conference on Circulatory Support Devices for Severe Cardiac Failure and the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions. Dr. Dowling is also the recipient of various awards and honors including Doctor of Humane Letters, Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine. He also belongs to numerous journal/scientific review boards. Dr. Robert Dowling received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Allegheny College. He completed his M.D., general surgery residency and cardiothoracic residency at the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Bartley P. Griffith is Chief of the Division of Cardiac Surgery and Director of Heart and Lung Transplantation in the Department of Surgery and is a Professor of Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Prior to joining the University of Maryland, Dr. Griffith served as Vice Chair, Department of Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where he was also Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery and the Henry T. Bahnson Professor of Surgery. Dr. Griffith was also the Director of the internationally recognized McGowan Center for Artificial Organ Development. Dr. Griffith’s clinical work focuses on coronary artery surgery, mitral and aortic valve replacement and aneurysmal disease of the thoracic aorta. His research interests are concentrated on heart and lung transplantation, cell transplantation and advancing the use of artificial organs. Dr. Griffith is developing a program in mechanical support of the failing heart. Dr. Griffith received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College and completed a surgery internship and general and cardiothoracic surgery residency at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Health Center Hospitals. Dr. Griffith has published over 500 articles and book chapters and lectures at professional meetings nationally and internationally. He is also the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including induction into the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Dr. Bart Meyns is a Professor and Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Gasthuisberg University Hospital (Katholieke Universiteit), Leuven, Belgium. Professor, Dr. Meyns has been affiliated with KU Leuven since receiving his medical degree there. He also was a general surgery resident at RD&E Hospital, Exeter, UK and has been a member of the KU Leuven staff since 1993. In addition to his medical degree, Dr. Meyns received a Ph.D in 1997 with his thesis, “Ventricular Support with Miniature Rotary Blood Pumps,” one of his primary interests, among clinical applications of mechanical support systems, congenital heart surgery and coronary surgery. He is a member of numerous international and European Societies and is a Member of the Board of Governors for the International Society for Rotary Blood Pumps and European Society of Artificial Organs. Dr. Meyns has received numerous recognition and honors for his work and his varied works have been published in international journals.