Larner College of Medicine

Nicole Habel

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Associate Director, EP Fellowship Program, UVM Medical Center

Cardiac Electrophysiologist

PRONOUNS she/her

Nicole Habel headshot
Pronouns she/her
Alma mater(s)
  • M.D., Ph.D., summa cum laude, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany
Affiliated Department(s)

Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine

Dr. Habel's UVM Health Network provider page

Areas of expertise

  • Cardiac Arrhythmias (heart rhythm disturbances), including atrial fibrillation and bradyarrhythmias
  • Heart Failure (mechanical and electrical dysfunction and optimization)

BIO

Dr. Nicole Habel is an academic electrophysiologist treating complex heart rhythm disorders, such as atrial fibrillation and atrial tachycardia, as well as ventricular arrhythmias. In addition to managing fast heart rhythms, she also has expertise in pacing therapies for patients with slow heart rhythms (bradyarrhythmias) and heart failure.

Her research explores the pathophysiologic role of low resting heart rates in stiff muscle heart failure, also known as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and investigates heart rate modulation as a therapeutic target. She is particularly interested in understanding the interaction and underlying mechanisms of comorbid atrial fibrillation and HFpEF, with the goal of improving patient outcomes.

Dr. Habel’s work explores how pacing therapies can normalize electrical activation of the heart by engaging its natural conduction system—This includes innovative strategies such as Bachmann bundle pacing for the atrium and His bundle or left bundle branch area pacing for the ventricle, representing an emerging area of investigation in electrophysiology.

As an early-career clinician-scientist, Dr. Habel has published numerous peer-reviewed articles in this field over the last several years, secured multiple research grants, and served as principal investigator or co-investigator on clinical trials aimed at improving outcomes for patients with heart failure.

 

Dr. Habel's postdoctoral training

Fellow, Cardiac Electrophysiology, University of Vermont Medical Center

Fellow, Cardiovascular Disease, University of Vermont Medical Center

Resident, Internal Medicine, Carilion Clinic & Virginia-Tech Carilion School of Medicine

 

Dr. Habel's professional associations

Alumni Deutsche Studienstiftung – German National Academic Foundation

American College of Cardiology Member

Heart Rhythm Society Member

Publications

Dr. Habel's publications

Awards and Achievements

2011 German National Academic Foundation (Deutsche Studienstiftung) Scholarship

2022 Heart Rhythm Society Kenneth M. Rosen Fellowship in Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology

2025 Growth and Leadership Opportunity for Women in Electrophysiology (GLOWE)

2025 Wohlgemuth Fellowship Award

Bio

Dr. Nicole Habel is an academic electrophysiologist treating complex heart rhythm disorders, such as atrial fibrillation and atrial tachycardia, as well as ventricular arrhythmias. In addition to managing fast heart rhythms, she also has expertise in pacing therapies for patients with slow heart rhythms (bradyarrhythmias) and heart failure.

Her research explores the pathophysiologic role of low resting heart rates in stiff muscle heart failure, also known as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and investigates heart rate modulation as a therapeutic target. She is particularly interested in understanding the interaction and underlying mechanisms of comorbid atrial fibrillation and HFpEF, with the goal of improving patient outcomes.

Dr. Habel’s work explores how pacing therapies can normalize electrical activation of the heart by engaging its natural conduction system—This includes innovative strategies such as Bachmann bundle pacing for the atrium and His bundle or left bundle branch area pacing for the ventricle, representing an emerging area of investigation in electrophysiology.

As an early-career clinician-scientist, Dr. Habel has published numerous peer-reviewed articles in this field over the last several years, secured multiple research grants, and served as principal investigator or co-investigator on clinical trials aimed at improving outcomes for patients with heart failure.

 

Dr. Habel's postdoctoral training

Fellow, Cardiac Electrophysiology, University of Vermont Medical Center

Fellow, Cardiovascular Disease, University of Vermont Medical Center

Resident, Internal Medicine, Carilion Clinic & Virginia-Tech Carilion School of Medicine

 

Dr. Habel's professional associations

Alumni Deutsche Studienstiftung – German National Academic Foundation

American College of Cardiology Member

Heart Rhythm Society Member

Awards and Achievements

2011 German National Academic Foundation (Deutsche Studienstiftung) Scholarship

2022 Heart Rhythm Society Kenneth M. Rosen Fellowship in Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology

2025 Growth and Leadership Opportunity for Women in Electrophysiology (GLOWE)

2025 Wohlgemuth Fellowship Award