His research is embedded in the research lines 'Circulatory Health' and 'Brain' of the UMCU in close collaboration with the departments of neurosurgery, radiology, vascular medicine, vascular surgery, rehabilitation, clinical epidemiology, primary health care and neuropsychology. His current line of research concerns stroke, in particular the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of patients with TIA or ischaemic stroke. As part of his research activities he is member of steering committees of reserrch programs embedded in 'Cardio-Vasculair Onderzoek Nederland' and serves as expert adjucation panelmeber of several clinical trials.
He is founding president of the Dutch Neurovascular Society. He is a member of the education committee if the Dutch Neurological Society and Dutch delegate for stroke of the European Association of Neurology. Besides his regular education duties in the UMC Utrecht, he is member of the board of supervisors of the Medical student Societÿ 'MSFU SAMS)
Jaap Kappelle is member elect of the European Stroke Council, the World Stroke Organisation and premium professional silver heart memeber of the American Heart Associatiuon. He holds also memberships of the Dutch Society of Neurology, the Dutch Vascular Society, the European Association of Neurology, the Royal Dutch Association of Medicine and the Dutch Society of Medical Litigation Assessments.