Karen May-Newman
Professor
College of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
SDSU
Bio
May-Newman’s research focuses on the response of the human body to cardiovascular medical devices, using engineering analysis of tissue mechanics and blood flow to investigate the host-device interaction. Her group is currently investigating the link between altered valvular biomechanics and aortic incompetence in the hearts of patients who receive a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Her laboratory uses a combination of experimental and clinical studies to investigate the altered solid and fluid cardiovascular mechanics introduced by the LVAD. More recently her group has extended the studies to measure intraventricular flow dynamics in the LVAD-supported heart to elucidate the basis of thrombus formation, a collaboration with UCSD and Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego.
Areas of Expertise
Bioengineering, medical device design, heart failure, mechanical circulatory support, LVAD therapy and blood flow.