Dr James May • City St George's, University of London

Contact details

About
Publications

About

Overview

James completed his undergraduate BEng course in Biomedical Engineering at City University London in 2008. After a work placement in Kings College Hospital Biomedical Engineering Department he was offered to study for a PhD at City University London, in collaboration with Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. He completed his PhD in 2013, with an accolade from the Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers, where he was also invited to join as a Freeman of the Livery. In 2012 he was also featured in the Royal Academy of Engineering Career Series.

Primarily, James' research interests centre around optical monitoring and electronic instrumentation development. His post-doctoral work has included early analysis of medicinal lithium carbonate towards the development of a personal lithium blood level analyser for patients with bipolar mood disorder, and recently completed a pilot study at Barts anbd The London NHS Trust of a novel endotracheal sensor.

Outside of work and research James enjoys photography and spending time outdoors, either on long walks with his family or tending his vegetable patch!

Qualifications

PhD, City, University of London, United Kingdom, January 2010 - December 2013

Employment

Lecturer in Biomedical Engineering, City, University of London, United Kingdom, June 2018 - present

Memberships of professional organisations

Member, Institute of Physics, April 2017 - present
Member, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, March 2013 - present
Member, IEEE Eingineering in Medicine and Biology Society, March 2013 - present

Languages

English (can read, write, speak, understand spoken, peer review)

Expertise

Geographic Areas

Europe

Publications

Publications by category

Chapter

Kyriacou, P.A. and May, J.M. (2022). Photoplethysmography: New trends and future directions. Photoplethysmography (pp. 469-487). Elsevier. ISBN 9780128233740.

Conference papers and proceedings (21)

Karimpour, P., Ferizoli, R., May, J.M. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2024). Custom Silicone Vessels for In Vitro Investigations on Vascular Ageing using Photoplethysmography. 2024 46th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC) 15-19 July.doi:10.1109/embc53108.2024.10781560
Al-Halawani, R., Qassem, M., May, J.M. and Kyriacou, P.A. Monte Carlo Simulated Photoplethysmography Signals for the Validation of an in Vitro Wrist Phantom. .doi:10.1007/978-3-031-61628-0_15
Ferizoli, R., Karimpour, P., May, J.M. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2023). A Bilateral In Vitro Model for Cardiovascular Disease Investigations Using Photoplethysmography Sensors. 2023 IEEE BioSensors Conference (BioSensors) 30 July-1 August.doi:10.1109/biosensors58001.2023.10281067
May, J.M., Nomoni, M., Budidha, K., Choi, C. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2022). Mechanical Testing of Artificial Vessels and Tissues for Photoplethysmography Phantoms. 2022 44th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society (EMBC) 11-15 July.doi:10.1109/embc48229.2022.9871830
Pilt, K., May, J.M. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2021). In-Vitro Investigation of Flow Profiles in Arteries Using the Photoplethysmograph. 2021 43rd Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society (EMBC) 1-5 November.doi:10.1109/embc46164.2021.9629713
Mejia-Mejia, E., May, J.M. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2021). Effect of Filtering of Photoplethysmography Signals in Pulse Rate Variability Analysis. 2021 43rd Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society (EMBC) 1-5 November.doi:10.1109/embc46164.2021.9629521
Mejia-Mejia, E., Budidha, K., Abay, T.Y., May, J.M. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2020). Heart Rate Variability and Multi-Site Pulse Rate Variability for the Assessment of Autonomic Responses to Whole-Body Cold Exposure. 2020 42nd Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC) in conjunction with the 43rd Annual Conference of the Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society 20-24 July.doi:10.1109/embc44109.2020.9175856
Nomoni, M., May, J.M. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2020). Fabricating Novel PDMS Vessels for Phantoms in Photoplethysmography Investigations. 2020 42nd Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC) in conjunction with the 43rd Annual Conference of the Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society 20-24 July.doi:10.1109/embc44109.2020.9176476
May, J., Phillips, J., Snidvongs, S. and Kyriacou, P. (2019). The Sensing Endotracheal Tube. 2019 41st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society (EMBC) 23-27 July.doi:10.1109/embc.2019.8856662
Nomoni, M., May, J.M. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2019). A Pulsatile Optical Tissue Phantom for the Investigation of Light-Tissue Interaction in Reflectance Photoplethysmography. 2019 41st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society (EMBC) 23-27 July.doi:10.1109/embc.2019.8857036
May, J.M., Hickey, M., Triantis, I., Palazidou, E. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2014). Optical analysis of lithium carbonate: Towards the development of a portable lithium blood level analyzer for bipolar disorder patients. 2014 36th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC) 26-30 August.doi:10.1109/embc.2014.6944025
Terminelli, L., Carpignano, F., May, J.M., Merlo, S. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2014). Photoplethysmography and electrocardiography for real time evaluation of pulse transit time A diagnostic marker of peripheral vascular diseases. 2014 Fotonica AEIT Italian Conference on Photonics Technologies (Fotonica AEIT) 12-14 May.doi:10.1109/fotonica.2014.6843951
May, J.M., Kyriacou, P.A. and Petros, A.J. (2013). Pilot investigation of anterior fontanelle photoplethysmographic signals and their suitability in estimating arterial oxygen saturation. 2013 35th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC) 3-7 July.doi:10.1109/embc.2013.6610086
Kyriacou, P.A., May, J.M. and Petros, A.J. (2013). Esophageal SpO<inf>2</inf> measurements from a pediatric burns-patient: A case study. 2013 35th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC) 3-7 July.doi:10.1109/embc.2013.6609854
Rybynok, V., May, J.M., Budidha, K. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2013). Design and development of a novel multi-channel photoplethysmographic research system. 2013 IEEE Point-of-Care Healthcare Technologies (PHT) 16-18 January.doi:10.1109/pht.2013.6461336
Kyriacou, P.A. and May, J.M. (2013). Esophageal SpO2 measurements from a pediatric burns-patient: A case study. The 35th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC’13) 3-7 January, Osaka, Japan.doi:10.1109/EMBC.2013.6609854
May, J.M., Kyriacou, P.A., Honsel, M. and Petros, A.J. Photoplethysmographic and SpO(2) readings from the neonatal anterior fontanelle: a case study. .doi:10.1109/EMBC.2012.6346255
May, J.M., Kyriacou, P.A., Honsel, M. and Petros, A.J. (2012). Photoplethysmographic and SpO<inf>2</inf> readings from the neonatal anterior fontanelle: A case Study. 2012 34th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC) 28 August-1 September.doi:10.1109/embc.2012.6346255
May, J.M., Kyriacou, P.A., Honsel, M. and Petros, A.J. (2012). Photoplethysmographic and SpO2 readings from the neonatal anterior fontanelle: a case study. 34th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC) 28-9 January, San Diego, USA.doi:10.1109/EMBC.2012.6346255
May, J.M., Kyriacou, P.A. and Petros, A.J. (2011). Development of an optoelectronic sensor for the investigation of photoplethysmographic signals from the anterior fontanel of the newborn. 2011 33rd Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society 30 August-3 September.doi:10.1109/iembs.2011.6089886
May, J.M., Kyriacou, P.A. and Petros, A.J. (2011). Development of an Optoelectronic Sensor for the Investigation of Photoplethysmographic Signals from the Anterior Fontanel of the Newborn. Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC, 2011 Annual International Conference of the IEEE 30 August-3 September, Boston, MA.doi:10.1109/IEMBS.2011.6089886

Journal articles (19)

Kodama, H., May, J.M., Nikkhah, D. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2026). Diagnostic performance of photoplethysmography for early vascular compromise in a customisable in vitro flap model. Medical Engineering & Physics, 147(6), pp. 065011-065011. doi:10.1088/1873-4030/ae7601
[publisher’s website]
Kodama, H., May, J.M., Nikkhah, D. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2026). A multipurpose flowing vascular phantom for microsurgical training and flap-monitoring research. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, 117, pp. 207-209. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2026.04.036
[publisher’s website]
Osorio-Sanchez, L., May, J.M. and Kyriacou, P. (2025). Evaluation of skin pigmentation effect on photoplethysmography signals using a vascular finger phantom with tunable optical and mechanical properties. Journal of Biomedical Optics, 30(11). doi:10.1117/1.jbo.30.11.117002
[publisher’s website]
Kodama, H., Ishida, K., Hirayama, H., Orgun, D., Kawashima, K., Nikkhah, D.... Miyawaki, T. (2025). The future of free flap monitoring by laser continuous doppler flowmetry: A prospective assessment in consecutive 71 patients. JPRAS Open, 43, pp. 140-152. doi:10.1016/j.jpra.2024.11.004
[publisher’s website]
Kodama, H., Ishida, K., Hirayama, H., Orgun, D., Kawashima, K., Nikkhah, D.... Miyawaki, T. (2024). Correlation between laser Doppler flowmetry metrics and continuous blood pressure in free flap monitoring. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, 96, pp. 196-198. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2024.07.059
[publisher’s website]
Karimpour, P., Ferizoli, R., May, J.M. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2024). Customisable Silicone Vessels and Tissue Phantoms for In Vitro Photoplethysmography Investigations into Cardiovascular Disease. Sensors, 24(5), pp. 1681-1681. doi:10.3390/s24051681
[publisher’s website]
Ferizoli, R., Karimpour, P., May, J.M. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2024). Arterial stiffness assessment using PPG feature extraction and significance testing in an in vitro cardiovascular system. Scientific Reports, 14(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-024-51395-y
[publisher’s website]
Karimpour, P., May, J.M. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2023). Photoplethysmography for the Assessment of Arterial Stiffness. Sensors, 23(24). doi:10.3390/s23249882
[publisher’s website]
Mejía-Mejía, E., May, J.M. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2022). Effects of using different algorithms and fiducial points for the detection of interbeat intervals, and different sampling rates on the assessment of pulse rate variability from photoplethysmography. Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine, 218, pp. 106724-106724. doi:10.1016/j.cmpb.2022.106724
[publisher’s website]
May, J.M., Mejía-Mejía, E., Nomoni, M., Budidha, K., Choi, C. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2021). Effects of Contact Pressure in Reflectance Photoplethysmography in an In Vitro Tissue-Vessel Phantom. Sensors, 21(24), pp. 8421-8421. doi:10.3390/s21248421
[publisher’s website]
Mejía-Mejía, E., May, J.M., Elgendi, M. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2021). Classification of blood pressure in critically ill patients using photoplethysmography and machine learning. Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine, 208, pp. 106222-106222. doi:10.1016/j.cmpb.2021.106222
[publisher’s website]
Mejía-Mejía, E., May, J.M., Elgendi, M. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2021). Differential effects of the blood pressure state on pulse rate variability and heart rate variability in critically ill patients. npj Digital Medicine, 4(1). doi:10.1038/s41746-021-00447-y
[publisher’s website]
Nomoni, M., May, J.M. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2020). Novel Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Pulsatile Vascular Tissue Phantoms for the In-Vitro Investigation of Light Tissue Interaction in Photoplethysmography. Sensors (Basel), 20(15). doi:10.3390/s20154246
[publisher’s website]
Mejía-Mejía, E., Budidha, K., Abay, T.Y., May, J.M. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2020). Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Pulse Rate Variability (PRV) for the Assessment of Autonomic Responses. Frontiers in Physiology, 11. doi:10.3389/fphys.2020.00779
[publisher’s website]
Mejía-Mejía, E., May, J.M., Torres, R. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2020). Pulse rate variability in cardiovascular health: a review on its applications and relationship with heart rate variability. Physiological Measurement, 41(7), pp. 07TR01-07TR01. doi:10.1088/1361-6579/ab998c
[publisher’s website]
May, J.M., Phillips, J.P., Fitchat, T., Ramaswamy, S., Snidvongs, S. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2019). A Novel Photoplethysmography Sensor for Vital Signs Monitoring from the Human Trachea. Biosensors, 9(4), pp. 119-119. doi:10.3390/bios9040119
[publisher’s website]
May, J.M., Kyriacou, P.A. and Petros, A.J. (2017). A novel fontanelle probe for sensing oxygen saturation in the neonate. Biomedical Physics & Engineering Express, 3(1), pp. 015023-015023. doi:10.1088/2057-1976/aa5946
[publisher’s website]
May, J., Hickey, M., Triantis, I., Palazidou, E. and Kyriacou, P.A. (2015). Spectrophotometric analysis of lithium carbonate used for bipolar disorder. Biomedical Optics Express, 6(3), pp. 1067-1067. doi:10.1364/boe.6.001067
[publisher’s website]
May, J.M., Kyriacou, P.A., Honsel, M. and Petros, A.J. (2014). Investigation of photoplethysmographs from the anterior fontanelle of neonates. Physiological Measurement, 35(10), pp. 1961-1973. doi:10.1088/0967-3334/35/10/1961
[publisher’s website]

Poster

Rybynok, V., Budidha, K., May, J., Njoum, H., phillips, J. and kyriacou, P.A. ZenPPG: a modular multi-channel photoplethysmography system. IAMPOV, 2012, 2012.

Thesis/dissertation

May, J. Investigation of fontanelle photoplethysmographs and oxygen saturations in intensive care neonates and infants utilising miniature photometric sensors. (PhD)