Dr. Stephen Archer is the Director of the Translational Institute of Medicine (TIME) and holds the C. Franklin and Helene K. Bracken Chair. He formerly served as the Head of the Department of Medicine at Queens from 2012 - 2023. He is a physician scientist and a graduate of Queen’s University (Meds ‘81). He is a practicing cardiologist who specializes in the care of patients with various forms of pulmonary hypertension. His other interests include strategies for improving cardiovascular care and training the next generation of physician-scientists. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family and is an avid hockey player, guitarist and coffee drinker.
After training at the Royal Columbian Hospital in BC and the Minneapolis Veteran Affairs Medical Center he joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota in 1988. He spent a decade on faculty and attained the rank of Professor under the guidance of his mentor and friend, Dr. E.K. Weir. He then served as Chief of Cardiology and H&S Chair for Northern Alberta at the University of Alberta (1998-2007) and Chair of Cardiology and Harold Hines Jr Professor at the University of Chicago (2007-12). Dr. Archer then returned to Queen’s University as the Head of Medicine and Program Medical Director for Kingston Health Sciences Centre.
Dr. Archer directs a CIHR-funded research lab. He investigates the role of mitochondria, both as oxygen sensors and regulators of cell proliferation and apoptosis and more recently as participants in the lung injury of COVID-19. He has over 300 publications and his H-index is 109, with approximately >50,000 citations. His research focuses on exploring cellular and molecular mechanisms of oxygen sensing and mitochondrial metabolism and dynamics. He also develops experimental therapeutics for pulmonary hypertension and cancer. He has mentored over 75 trainees, many of whom are leaders in science and medicine.
Dr. Archer is also the founder and Scientific Director of the Queen’s CardioPulmonary Unit (QCPU), which is a $8 million-dollar, state of the art 8000 translational research facility, with a Bench-to-Bedside philosophy. QCPU is designed to support faculty and trainees who perform heart, lung, blood and vascular research. QCPU is comprised of a state-of-the-art basic science research facility that is complemented by an onsite KHSC satellite clinic and echocardiography laboratory which does over 100 clinical studies per year and also supports research clinical trials. Along with Dr. Stephen Vanner, he co-founded TIME (the Translational Institute of Medicine), a research institute at Queen’s University.
His translational cardiovascular research has been recognized with numerous awards, including being elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and being awarded Distinguished Scientist Awards from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology. He received the AFMC President’s Award for Exemplary National Leadership in Academic Medicine and was named the Chicago American Heart Association Coeur d’Or recipient in 2013 for leading the establishment of a prehospital STEMI care network in Chicago.

Dr. Stephen Archer is the Director of the Translational Institute of Medicine (TIME) and holds the C. Franklin and Helene K. Bracken Chair. He formerly served as the Head of the Department of Medicine at Queens from 2012 - 2023. He is a physician scientist and a graduate of Queen’s University (Meds ‘81). He is a practicing cardiologist who specializes in the care of patients with various forms of pulmonary hypertension. His other interests include strategies for improving cardiovascular care and training the next generation of physician-scientists. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family and is an avid hockey player, guitarist and coffee drinker.
After training at the Royal Columbian Hospital in BC and the Minneapolis Veteran Affairs Medical Center he joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota in 1988. He spent a decade on faculty and attained the rank of Professor under the guidance of his mentor and friend, Dr. E.K. Weir. He then served as Chief of Cardiology and H&S Chair for Northern Alberta at the University of Alberta (1998-2007) and Chair of Cardiology and Harold Hines Jr Professor at the University of Chicago (2007-12). Dr. Archer then returned to Queen’s University as the Head of Medicine and Program Medical Director for Kingston Health Sciences Centre.
Dr. Archer directs a CIHR-funded research lab. He investigates the role of mitochondria, both as oxygen sensors and regulators of cell proliferation and apoptosis and more recently as participants in the lung injury of COVID-19. He has over 300 publications and his H-index is 109, with approximately >50,000 citations. His research focuses on exploring cellular and molecular mechanisms of oxygen sensing and mitochondrial metabolism and dynamics. He also develops experimental therapeutics for pulmonary hypertension and cancer. He has mentored over 75 trainees, many of whom are leaders in science and medicine.
Dr. Archer is also the founder and Scientific Director of the Queen’s CardioPulmonary Unit (QCPU), which is a $8 million-dollar, state of the art 8000 translational research facility, with a Bench-to-Bedside philosophy. QCPU is designed to support faculty and trainees who perform heart, lung, blood and vascular research. QCPU is comprised of a state-of-the-art basic science research facility that is complemented by an onsite KHSC satellite clinic and echocardiography laboratory which does over 100 clinical studies per year and also supports research clinical trials. Along with Dr. Stephen Vanner, he co-founded TIME (the Translational Institute of Medicine), a research institute at Queen’s University.
His translational cardiovascular research has been recognized with numerous awards, including being elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and being awarded Distinguished Scientist Awards from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology. He received the AFMC President’s Award for Exemplary National Leadership in Academic Medicine and was named the Chicago American Heart Association Coeur d’Or recipient in 2013 for leading the establishment of a prehospital STEMI care network in Chicago.

Sihem Boudina, Ph.D., is a tenured Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology and an Investigator in the Molecular Medicine Program at the University of Utah. She earned her bachelor’s in Animal Physiology from the University of Science and Technology in Algiers and a Ph.D. in Biological and Medical Sciences from the University of Bordeaux 2 under Dr. Pierre Dos Santos. Following her postdoctoral training with Dr. Dale Abel at Utah, she joined the faculty in 2010. Dr. Boudina is a leading researcher in diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Her pioneering work revealed mitochondrial dysfunction’s role in diabetic heart disease and demonstrated how mitochondrial uncoupling impairs cardiac efficiency in obesity. Her NIH-funded research continues to explore cardiometabolic disease mechanisms. Recognized for her contributions, she has received fellowships from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the American Heart Association. Committed to mentorship, Dr. Boudina supports students through programs like the Native American Summer Research Program. She has also held key leadership roles, including Chair of the MD-PhD MSTP Admission, Chair of the College of Health College Council and Cahir of the NIH MPPA Study Section.

Sihem Boudina, Ph.D., is a tenured Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology and an Investigator in the Molecular Medicine Program at the University of Utah. She earned her bachelor’s in Animal Physiology from the University of Science and Technology in Algiers and a Ph.D. in Biological and Medical Sciences from the University of Bordeaux 2 under Dr. Pierre Dos Santos. Following her postdoctoral training with Dr. Dale Abel at Utah, she joined the faculty in 2010. Dr. Boudina is a leading researcher in diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Her pioneering work revealed mitochondrial dysfunction’s role in diabetic heart disease and demonstrated how mitochondrial uncoupling impairs cardiac efficiency in obesity. Her NIH-funded research continues to explore cardiometabolic disease mechanisms. Recognized for her contributions, she has received fellowships from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the American Heart Association. Committed to mentorship, Dr. Boudina supports students through programs like the Native American Summer Research Program. She has also held key leadership roles, including Chair of the MD-PhD MSTP Admission, Chair of the College of Health College Council and Cahir of the NIH MPPA Study Section.

Romain Capoulade is an INSERM researcher (CRCN) at institut du thorax (UMR 1087) in Nantes, France. His research focuses on the understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in the development and progression of valvular heart diseases, one of the most frequent cardiovascular diseases, for which there is currently no medical treatment, the only option being to perform an invasive valve repair or replacement. His PhD thesis was conducted in Quebec City (Quebec, Canada) where he worked on the metabolic determinants of the progression of aortic valve calcification. In 2014, I joined the team of Judy Hung and Robert Levine at the Massachusetts General Hospital (Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA) to work on mitral valve diseases. In 2017, Dr Capoulade moved back to France and joined the institut du thorax, to develop a translational research program focused on aortic and mitral valve diseases. In 2021, he obtained his permanent position at INSERM as a CRCN and pursue his research program, while developing a new axis related to structural bioprosthetic valve degeneration.

Romain Capoulade is an INSERM researcher (CRCN) at institut du thorax (UMR 1087) in Nantes, France. His research focuses on the understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in the development and progression of valvular heart diseases, one of the most frequent cardiovascular diseases, for which there is currently no medical treatment, the only option being to perform an invasive valve repair or replacement. His PhD thesis was conducted in Quebec City (Quebec, Canada) where he worked on the metabolic determinants of the progression of aortic valve calcification. In 2014, I joined the team of Judy Hung and Robert Levine at the Massachusetts General Hospital (Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA) to work on mitral valve diseases. In 2017, Dr Capoulade moved back to France and joined the institut du thorax, to develop a translational research program focused on aortic and mitral valve diseases. In 2021, he obtained his permanent position at INSERM as a CRCN and pursue his research program, while developing a new axis related to structural bioprosthetic valve degeneration.

Christoph Dieterich received his Ph.D. degree in Bioinformatics from Free University Berlin, Germany, in 2005. He is currently a Professor at the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University and Head of the Klaus Tschira Institute for Integrative Computational Cardiology. He is also an appointed PI at the German Centre for Cardiovascular research (DZHK, partner site Heidelberg / Mannheim). Since April 2018, he is the local site coordinator within the German Medical Informatics Initiative for Heidelberg University Hospital and involved in many national research consortia.
His main research focuses on computational RNA biology, bioinformatics methods and systems cardiology. He is specifically interested in RNA splicing, translation, the epitranscriptome and signaling network analysis to advance our understanding of cardiovascular health and disease and is active in the field of RNA therapeutics, which will open up new medical options.
From a medical informatics perspective, he is actively driving cardiology use cases for translation into the clinics, which build on Machine Learning and AI approaches across structured and unstructured data (EHR, medical documents and biosignals).

Christoph Dieterich received his Ph.D. degree in Bioinformatics from Free University Berlin, Germany, in 2005. He is currently a Professor at the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University and Head of the Klaus Tschira Institute for Integrative Computational Cardiology. He is also an appointed PI at the German Centre for Cardiovascular research (DZHK, partner site Heidelberg / Mannheim). Since April 2018, he is the local site coordinator within the German Medical Informatics Initiative for Heidelberg University Hospital and involved in many national research consortia.
His main research focuses on computational RNA biology, bioinformatics methods and systems cardiology. He is specifically interested in RNA splicing, translation, the epitranscriptome and signaling network analysis to advance our understanding of cardiovascular health and disease and is active in the field of RNA therapeutics, which will open up new medical options.
From a medical informatics perspective, he is actively driving cardiology use cases for translation into the clinics, which build on Machine Learning and AI approaches across structured and unstructured data (EHR, medical documents and biosignals).

Dr Christelle Guibert is a director of research for the french National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM). She received her Ph.D. from the University of Bordeaux. Her doctoral work was focused on the vascular reactivity, calcium signalling and ion channels in the healthy pulmonary vascular bed. She did her post-doctoral training on ion channels in the cerebral circulation in Pr David J Beech’s laboratory at the University of Leeds (School of medicine – UK). Since 2016, she leads the team 1 pathophysiology of the pulmonary circulation of the Cardio-Thoracic Research Centre in Bordeaux (CRCTB) – INSERM U1045. She is also the coordinator of the French network of Pulmonology in Innovation and Translational Research (RESPIRenT group) which organizes the French annual respiratory research congress and other activities promoting scientific collaborations. Her research projects are focused on the study of the physiology and pathophysiology of the pulmonary circulation and more precisely on the study of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in adults and infants (PH associated to bronchopulmonary dysplasia). She is also interested in right cardiac insufficiency which is a PH consequence and which is responsible for patient death. Thanks to medical departments she performs translational research aiming at finding new therapeutic targets.

Dr Christelle Guibert is a director of research for the french National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM). She received her Ph.D. from the University of Bordeaux. Her doctoral work was focused on the vascular reactivity, calcium signalling and ion channels in the healthy pulmonary vascular bed. She did her post-doctoral training on ion channels in the cerebral circulation in Pr David J Beech’s laboratory at the University of Leeds (School of medicine – UK). Since 2016, she leads the team 1 pathophysiology of the pulmonary circulation of the Cardio-Thoracic Research Centre in Bordeaux (CRCTB) – INSERM U1045. She is also the coordinator of the French network of Pulmonology in Innovation and Translational Research (RESPIRenT group) which organizes the French annual respiratory research congress and other activities promoting scientific collaborations. Her research projects are focused on the study of the physiology and pathophysiology of the pulmonary circulation and more precisely on the study of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in adults and infants (PH associated to bronchopulmonary dysplasia). She is also interested in right cardiac insufficiency which is a PH consequence and which is responsible for patient death. Thanks to medical departments she performs translational research aiming at finding new therapeutic targets.

Jin Han, MD, PhD, is a professor at Inje University College of Medicine, with over 30 years of translational and clinical research experience in cardiometabolic diseases. He earned his MD from Inje University and completed both his MS and PhD in Physiology at Seoul National University. Dr. Han currently serves as the Director of the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Center at Inje University, a center he has led since 2006, and holds additional leadership roles in national core research facilities and precision medicine initiatives. His research focuses on mitochondrial energy metabolism, diabetic cardiomyopathy, and metabolic heart failure. He leads multidisciplinary teams that integrate multi-omics, AI-based digital twin modeling, and large-scale cohort analysis to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for complex metabolic heart diseases. Dr. Han’s pioneering work on CRBN signaling and mitochondrial regulation in cardiac disease has been widely acknowledged. His ultimate goal is to establish precision cardiology platforms that seamlessly integrate predictive diagnostics with individualized treatment, ultimately improving outcomes for patients with diabetic cardiomyopathy and cardiometabolic diseases.

Jin Han, MD, PhD, is a professor at Inje University College of Medicine, with over 30 years of translational and clinical research experience in cardiometabolic diseases. He earned his MD from Inje University and completed both his MS and PhD in Physiology at Seoul National University. Dr. Han currently serves as the Director of the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Center at Inje University, a center he has led since 2006, and holds additional leadership roles in national core research facilities and precision medicine initiatives. His research focuses on mitochondrial energy metabolism, diabetic cardiomyopathy, and metabolic heart failure. He leads multidisciplinary teams that integrate multi-omics, AI-based digital twin modeling, and large-scale cohort analysis to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for complex metabolic heart diseases. Dr. Han’s pioneering work on CRBN signaling and mitochondrial regulation in cardiac disease has been widely acknowledged. His ultimate goal is to establish precision cardiology platforms that seamlessly integrate predictive diagnostics with individualized treatment, ultimately improving outcomes for patients with diabetic cardiomyopathy and cardiometabolic diseases.

Dr Jean-Sébastien Hulot is a Professor of Medicine at the Université Paris Cité, France. He is a medical cardiologist and received his MD and PhD in clinical and experimental pharmacology from the Paris University Hospitals. From 2010 to 2014, he was Associate Professor at the Cardiovascular Research Center at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, USA.
He leads a research team performing clinical and translational studies in heart failure and myocardial stiffening. He coordinates clinical and translational studies in HFpEF patients with a focus on the immune-inflammatory drivers of the disease. The clinical approach is complemented by studies on animal and cellular models based on human induced pluripotent stem cells to better understand key pathways that drive heart failure.

Dr Jean-Sébastien Hulot is a Professor of Medicine at the Université Paris Cité, France. He is a medical cardiologist and received his MD and PhD in clinical and experimental pharmacology from the Paris University Hospitals. From 2010 to 2014, he was Associate Professor at the Cardiovascular Research Center at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, USA.
He leads a research team performing clinical and translational studies in heart failure and myocardial stiffening. He coordinates clinical and translational studies in HFpEF patients with a focus on the immune-inflammatory drivers of the disease. The clinical approach is complemented by studies on animal and cellular models based on human induced pluripotent stem cells to better understand key pathways that drive heart failure.

Dr. Joyal is an associate professor of Pediatrics and Ophthalmology at the University of Montreal and a pediatric critical care physician at Sainte-Justine Hospital. His team uses the eye as a model to explore the role of neuronal energy metabolism and glial-immune crosstalk as a driver of angiogenesis and vascular remodeling. The retina is an extension of the central nervous system and consumes more energy than most organs. It is, therefore, an excellent model to investigate the heterogeneity and complex interactions of the neurovascular niche to discover new therapeutic targets. Dr Joyal leads the Quebec Retinal Single-Cell Transcriptomics platform.

Dr. Joyal is an associate professor of Pediatrics and Ophthalmology at the University of Montreal and a pediatric critical care physician at Sainte-Justine Hospital. His team uses the eye as a model to explore the role of neuronal energy metabolism and glial-immune crosstalk as a driver of angiogenesis and vascular remodeling. The retina is an extension of the central nervous system and consumes more energy than most organs. It is, therefore, an excellent model to investigate the heterogeneity and complex interactions of the neurovascular niche to discover new therapeutic targets. Dr Joyal leads the Quebec Retinal Single-Cell Transcriptomics platform.

Anuradha Kalyanasundaram is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology and Anatomy at the University of North Texas Health Sciences Center, Fort Worth, Texas. She received her Ph.D. and postdoctoral training at The Ohio State University, Columbus. Her research program investigates mechanisms of structural remodeling, which promote cardiac arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Current projects focus on determining mechanisms that drive cardiac arrhythmias in women, in the context of aging, hormonal shifts and preexisting risk factors. Long-term goal is to identify mechanisms that can be targeted to treat, slow or revert the progression of fibro-fatty remodeling in aging, female hearts.

Anuradha Kalyanasundaram is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology and Anatomy at the University of North Texas Health Sciences Center, Fort Worth, Texas. She received her Ph.D. and postdoctoral training at The Ohio State University, Columbus. Her research program investigates mechanisms of structural remodeling, which promote cardiac arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Current projects focus on determining mechanisms that drive cardiac arrhythmias in women, in the context of aging, hormonal shifts and preexisting risk factors. Long-term goal is to identify mechanisms that can be targeted to treat, slow or revert the progression of fibro-fatty remodeling in aging, female hearts.

Dr. Sung Joon Kim earned his MD (1991) and PhD (1997) from Seoul National University College of Medicine (SNUCM). He completed postdoctoral research at Freiburg University, Germany in 2000, and became professor at Sungkyunkwan University (2000-2004) and SNUCM Dept. Physiology (2004~). He also served as Director of the Division of Medical Sciences at the National Research Foundation of Korea. His research focuses on cardiovascular physiology, particularly pulmonary arterial hypertension and right heart disease, as well as ion channels in lymphocytes and keratinocytes. Dr. Kim has published 195 peer-reviewed papers.

Dr. Sung Joon Kim earned his MD (1991) and PhD (1997) from Seoul National University College of Medicine (SNUCM). He completed postdoctoral research at Freiburg University, Germany in 2000, and became professor at Sungkyunkwan University (2000-2004) and SNUCM Dept. Physiology (2004~). He also served as Director of the Division of Medical Sciences at the National Research Foundation of Korea. His research focuses on cardiovascular physiology, particularly pulmonary arterial hypertension and right heart disease, as well as ion channels in lymphocytes and keratinocytes. Dr. Kim has published 195 peer-reviewed papers.

I am a Professor in the Department of Physiology at Ajou University School of Medicine, Republic of Korea. I earned my Ph.D. in 1998 from the Tokyo National University, Japan. Subsequently, I joined the National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) in Maryland, USA, as a postdoctoral fellow, where I specialized in research on neurodegenerative diseases. My primary research interests lie in the integration of multi-omics approaches, including transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics, for nanotoxicity studies, as well as the application of machine learning, neurodegenerative disease research, and biomolecular simulations aimed at therapeutically relevant proteins and enzymes.
Website

I am a Professor in the Department of Physiology at Ajou University School of Medicine, Republic of Korea. I earned my Ph.D. in 1998 from the Tokyo National University, Japan. Subsequently, I joined the National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) in Maryland, USA, as a postdoctoral fellow, where I specialized in research on neurodegenerative diseases. My primary research interests lie in the integration of multi-omics approaches, including transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics, for nanotoxicity studies, as well as the application of machine learning, neurodegenerative disease research, and biomolecular simulations aimed at therapeutically relevant proteins and enzymes.
Website

Jin Li, MD graduated from the University of Heidelberg, Germany and started her residency at the Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology of Heidelberg University Hospital. She did her postdoctoral training at the Montreal Heart InsGtute in Canada, before compleGng her cardiology training at the Bern University Hospital, Switzerland. Her clinical and research interest include cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias. As physician scienGst, she took care of paGents at the Department of Cardiology of the Lausanne University Hospital, while leading her research group at the InsGtute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine of the University of Bern. She pioneered the field of autoimmune channelopathies and developed the first immunotherapy for long QT syndrome. For her work, she has been awarded the Pfizer Research Prize 2021. With a Swiss NaGonal Science FoundaGon Professorial Fellowship, she then moved to the University Heart Center Zurich, where she has served as Faculty Member of the University of Zurich.

Jin Li, MD graduated from the University of Heidelberg, Germany and started her residency at the Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology of Heidelberg University Hospital. She did her postdoctoral training at the Montreal Heart InsGtute in Canada, before compleGng her cardiology training at the Bern University Hospital, Switzerland. Her clinical and research interest include cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias. As physician scienGst, she took care of paGents at the Department of Cardiology of the Lausanne University Hospital, while leading her research group at the InsGtute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine of the University of Bern. She pioneered the field of autoimmune channelopathies and developed the first immunotherapy for long QT syndrome. For her work, she has been awarded the Pfizer Research Prize 2021. With a Swiss NaGonal Science FoundaGon Professorial Fellowship, she then moved to the University Heart Center Zurich, where she has served as Faculty Member of the University of Zurich.

Gregory Lim MA (Oxon.), DPhil is the Chief Editor of Nature Reviews Cardiology. Gregory took a first-class undergraduate degree in Physiological Sciences from Exeter College at the University of Oxford, UK. He then moved to Merton College, Oxford, to read for a DPhil in Cardiovascular Medicine, focusing on the role of nitric oxide in modulating cardiac contractility via nitrosylation of the ryanodine receptor calcium release channel in health and disease states. He was supervised by Professor Barbara Casadei and Professor Hugh Watkins, and his doctorate was funded by a four-year studentship from the British Heart Foundation. Dr Lim joined Nature Reviews Cardiology as an Associate Editor in 2011 and has been the Chief Editor since 2015. Nature Reviews Cardiology is the leading journal in the field of cardiology and cardiovascular systems (2023 Impact Factor: 41.7) and publishes reviews, news and opinion articles across the spectrum of basic and translational cardiovascular research and clinical cardiology. In his spare time, Gregory enjoys playing tennis; doing cryptic crosswords; and visiting museums, galleries and theatres.

Gregory Lim MA (Oxon.), DPhil is the Chief Editor of Nature Reviews Cardiology. Gregory took a first-class undergraduate degree in Physiological Sciences from Exeter College at the University of Oxford, UK. He then moved to Merton College, Oxford, to read for a DPhil in Cardiovascular Medicine, focusing on the role of nitric oxide in modulating cardiac contractility via nitrosylation of the ryanodine receptor calcium release channel in health and disease states. He was supervised by Professor Barbara Casadei and Professor Hugh Watkins, and his doctorate was funded by a four-year studentship from the British Heart Foundation. Dr Lim joined Nature Reviews Cardiology as an Associate Editor in 2011 and has been the Chief Editor since 2015. Nature Reviews Cardiology is the leading journal in the field of cardiology and cardiovascular systems (2023 Impact Factor: 41.7) and publishes reviews, news and opinion articles across the spectrum of basic and translational cardiovascular research and clinical cardiology. In his spare time, Gregory enjoys playing tennis; doing cryptic crosswords; and visiting museums, galleries and theatres.

Lin Liu, Ph.D., FAPS, received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and completed his postdoctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania. He began his academic career as a faculty member at East Carolina University before joining the Oklahoma State University (OSU) College of Veterinary Medicine as Associate Professor of Physiological Sciences. Dr. Liu was subsequently promoted to Full Professor and appointed as Lundberg-Kienlen Endowed Professor/Chair in Biomedical Research and a Regents Professor. He was also selected as a Riata Faculty Fellow in the OSU School of Entrepreneurship and elected as a Fellow of the American Physiological Society. Dr. Liu is the Founding Director of the Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases. He also leads the Lung Diseases and Infection Laboratory. His current research interests include host-respiratory pathogen interactions (e.g. SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis); the pathogenesis of pulmonary diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD); and stem cell-based therapy and human tissue engineering.

Lin Liu, Ph.D., FAPS, received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and completed his postdoctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania. He began his academic career as a faculty member at East Carolina University before joining the Oklahoma State University (OSU) College of Veterinary Medicine as Associate Professor of Physiological Sciences. Dr. Liu was subsequently promoted to Full Professor and appointed as Lundberg-Kienlen Endowed Professor/Chair in Biomedical Research and a Regents Professor. He was also selected as a Riata Faculty Fellow in the OSU School of Entrepreneurship and elected as a Fellow of the American Physiological Society. Dr. Liu is the Founding Director of the Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases. He also leads the Lung Diseases and Infection Laboratory. His current research interests include host-respiratory pathogen interactions (e.g. SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis); the pathogenesis of pulmonary diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD); and stem cell-based therapy and human tissue engineering.

I am a faculty member of the Depts of Medicine, Microbioloy and Human Genetics at the University of California, Los Angeles. Over the past two decades, our studies have focused on common, complex forms of cardiovascular/metabolic disorders, including atherosclerosis, fatty liver disease, and, more recently, heart failure. We have used population-based approaches in both animal models and humans as well as experimental studies in mice. To dissect complex interactions, we use a systems biology perspective, integrating clinical trait phenotypes with genetic, epigenetic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic high-throughput data. We integrate clinical and molecular data in mouse or human cohorts using statistical approaches, including causal and network modeling. To model common human genetic variation under specific environmental conditions, we have developed a reference resource, called to Hybrid Mouse Diversity Panel (HMDP), that consists of a panel of about 100 well characterized inbred strains of mice. As compared to human studies, the panel has the advantage of replication, access to relevant tissues and control of environmental factors. The panel has now been extensively characterized for clinical traits and multiple high throughput “omics” phenotypes. To complement the studies in mice, we investigate publicly available data and participate in studies of well characterized human cohorts, including METSIM and STARNET.

I am a faculty member of the Depts of Medicine, Microbioloy and Human Genetics at the University of California, Los Angeles. Over the past two decades, our studies have focused on common, complex forms of cardiovascular/metabolic disorders, including atherosclerosis, fatty liver disease, and, more recently, heart failure. We have used population-based approaches in both animal models and humans as well as experimental studies in mice. To dissect complex interactions, we use a systems biology perspective, integrating clinical trait phenotypes with genetic, epigenetic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic high-throughput data. We integrate clinical and molecular data in mouse or human cohorts using statistical approaches, including causal and network modeling. To model common human genetic variation under specific environmental conditions, we have developed a reference resource, called to Hybrid Mouse Diversity Panel (HMDP), that consists of a panel of about 100 well characterized inbred strains of mice. As compared to human studies, the panel has the advantage of replication, access to relevant tissues and control of environmental factors. The panel has now been extensively characterized for clinical traits and multiple high throughput “omics” phenotypes. To complement the studies in mice, we investigate publicly available data and participate in studies of well characterized human cohorts, including METSIM and STARNET.

Christoph Maack received his MD at the University of Cologne (Germany) in 2000. Between 2000 and 2017, he worked at the Department of Cardiology at the University of the Saarland in Homburg, Germany. From 2002-2005, he worked as a post-doctoral researcher in the lab of Brian O’Rourke at the Department of Cardiology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, US. As a clinician, he obtained his Board exams in Internal Medicine (2011), Cardiology (2015) and Intensive Care Medicine (2018) in Homburg. As a scientist, he was supported by the Emmy Noether program (2006-2011) and a Heisenberg Professorship (2012-2017) from the German Research Foundation (DFG). Since 2017, he is the Chair of the Department of Translational Research at the Comprehensive Heart Failure Center (CHFC) at the University Clinic in Würzburg, and also the Spokesperson of the CHFC. His research focuses on cellular defects in chronic heart failure, with a special focus on the mechanisms of contractile, mitochondrial and metabolic dysfunction in acquired forms of heart failure and hereditary cardiomyopathies. Since 2023, he is the President of the International Society of Heart Research (ISHR), European Section (ES) and from May 2025 on, will be President-elect of ISHR-World. Since 2023, he is the Chair of the COST Action EU-METAHEART (CA22169), a European network to tackle metabolic defects in heart failure, which has meanwhile ~400 members (https://cost-metaheart.eu/).

Christoph Maack received his MD at the University of Cologne (Germany) in 2000. Between 2000 and 2017, he worked at the Department of Cardiology at the University of the Saarland in Homburg, Germany. From 2002-2005, he worked as a post-doctoral researcher in the lab of Brian O’Rourke at the Department of Cardiology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, US. As a clinician, he obtained his Board exams in Internal Medicine (2011), Cardiology (2015) and Intensive Care Medicine (2018) in Homburg. As a scientist, he was supported by the Emmy Noether program (2006-2011) and a Heisenberg Professorship (2012-2017) from the German Research Foundation (DFG). Since 2017, he is the Chair of the Department of Translational Research at the Comprehensive Heart Failure Center (CHFC) at the University Clinic in Würzburg, and also the Spokesperson of the CHFC. His research focuses on cellular defects in chronic heart failure, with a special focus on the mechanisms of contractile, mitochondrial and metabolic dysfunction in acquired forms of heart failure and hereditary cardiomyopathies. Since 2023, he is the President of the International Society of Heart Research (ISHR), European Section (ES) and from May 2025 on, will be President-elect of ISHR-World. Since 2023, he is the Chair of the COST Action EU-METAHEART (CA22169), a European network to tackle metabolic defects in heart failure, which has meanwhile ~400 members (https://cost-metaheart.eu/).

Kyu-Sang Park is a Professor in the Department of Physiology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, South Korea. He obtained his medical doctorate from Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine in 1993 and completed his Ph.D. at Yonsei University in 1998. He spent three years at the Korean National Institute of Health (NIH). In 2002, he commenced his tenure as an assistant professor at Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine. Between 2006 and 2009, he had worked as a visiting professor in the Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism at University of Geneva, Switzerland. From 2017 to 2031, he has been working as the director of national grant-funded Medical Research Center at Yonsei University. Since 2024, he is serving as an associate editor of 'Diabetologia'. Additionally, he presently holds the position of the President of Korean Society for Mitochondrial Research and Medicine from 2022 to 2024. His research interests encompass beta cell pathophysiology, mitochondria, autophagy, and integrated stress responses.

Kyu-Sang Park is a Professor in the Department of Physiology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, South Korea. He obtained his medical doctorate from Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine in 1993 and completed his Ph.D. at Yonsei University in 1998. He spent three years at the Korean National Institute of Health (NIH). In 2002, he commenced his tenure as an assistant professor at Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine. Between 2006 and 2009, he had worked as a visiting professor in the Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism at University of Geneva, Switzerland. From 2017 to 2031, he has been working as the director of national grant-funded Medical Research Center at Yonsei University. Since 2024, he is serving as an associate editor of 'Diabetologia'. Additionally, he presently holds the position of the President of Korean Society for Mitochondrial Research and Medicine from 2022 to 2024. His research interests encompass beta cell pathophysiology, mitochondria, autophagy, and integrated stress responses.

Current Position:
Associate Professor in Biochemistry, University of Bordeaux, Institute of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, (IBGC, UMR5095, CNRS).
Educational Background:
PhD in Life Sciences, with a focus on biochemistry, bioenergetics, and cardiac physiology
Professional Experience:
Philippe Pasdois is exploring the intricate relationship between mitochondrial structure-function and cardiovascular health. His PhD research was conducted at the interface of cardiovascular sciences and bioenergetics. Following his PhD, Dr. Pasdois spent nearly 15 years in postdoctoral research, including nearly 6 years tenure in the United Kingdom at the University of Bristol's Department of Biochemistry. There, he worked under the supervision of Professor Andrew Halestrap (now Emeritus Professor), focusing on understanding how the mitochondrial compartment influences the development of ischemia-reperfusion injury. In 2012, Dr. Pasdois returned to France to join the Heart Rhythm Institute in Pessac to learn cardiac electrophysiology and develop a research centered on atrial fibrillation and heart failure, utilizing large mammal experimental models and human tissue. Since 2022, his current research employs molecular biology tools targeted to the mitochondrial compartment, aiming at investigating how mitochondrial heterogeneity might influence heart failure development.

Current Position:
Associate Professor in Biochemistry, University of Bordeaux, Institute of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, (IBGC, UMR5095, CNRS).
Educational Background:
PhD in Life Sciences, with a focus on biochemistry, bioenergetics, and cardiac physiology
Professional Experience:
Philippe Pasdois is exploring the intricate relationship between mitochondrial structure-function and cardiovascular health. His PhD research was conducted at the interface of cardiovascular sciences and bioenergetics. Following his PhD, Dr. Pasdois spent nearly 15 years in postdoctoral research, including nearly 6 years tenure in the United Kingdom at the University of Bristol's Department of Biochemistry. There, he worked under the supervision of Professor Andrew Halestrap (now Emeritus Professor), focusing on understanding how the mitochondrial compartment influences the development of ischemia-reperfusion injury. In 2012, Dr. Pasdois returned to France to join the Heart Rhythm Institute in Pessac to learn cardiac electrophysiology and develop a research centered on atrial fibrillation and heart failure, utilizing large mammal experimental models and human tissue. Since 2022, his current research employs molecular biology tools targeted to the mitochondrial compartment, aiming at investigating how mitochondrial heterogeneity might influence heart failure development.

After a PhD and a post-doctoral internship respectively in the cardiac energy signaling team headed by Renée Ventura-Clapier (Paris Sud University) and the mitochondrial biochemistry laboratory led by Yan Burelle (University of Montreal), Jérôme Piquereau was recruited as an assistant professor at Paris Sud University in 2014. His research aims at better understanding energy metabolism disturbances in heart failure (HF) (UMR-S1180, Paris Sud University). He has been interested in the link between cardiomyocyte cell architecture and energy transfer efficacy within the cytosol, before focusing on mitochondrial life cycle and its regulation in the cardiomyocyte. He is leading a project proposing a metabolic therapy for HF, with a specific interest in sex specificity in HF pathophysiology and responses to an experimental treatment in mouse.

After a PhD and a post-doctoral internship respectively in the cardiac energy signaling team headed by Renée Ventura-Clapier (Paris Sud University) and the mitochondrial biochemistry laboratory led by Yan Burelle (University of Montreal), Jérôme Piquereau was recruited as an assistant professor at Paris Sud University in 2014. His research aims at better understanding energy metabolism disturbances in heart failure (HF) (UMR-S1180, Paris Sud University). He has been interested in the link between cardiomyocyte cell architecture and energy transfer efficacy within the cytosol, before focusing on mitochondrial life cycle and its regulation in the cardiomyocyte. He is leading a project proposing a metabolic therapy for HF, with a specific interest in sex specificity in HF pathophysiology and responses to an experimental treatment in mouse.

Gabriele G. Schiattarella, MD, PhD, is a cardiologist-scientist whose research focuses on the molecular mechanisms driving heart failure, particularly HFpEF, and cardiometabolic diseases. He earned his MD from the University Federico II of Naples (Italy), where he also completed his Cardiology Fellowship and began a PhD in Experimental Medicine. He then moved to UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, USA, to further his research training. Dr. Schiattarella is Professor of Cardiometabolic Diseases at Charité University Medical Center and the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in Berlin, where he leads a research group investigating the mechanisms underlying HFpEF, HFrEF, and interorgan crosstalk in cardiometabolic diseases. His team combines systems biology approaches and experimental models to explore how metabolic dysfunction, post-translational modifications (PTMs), and protein quality control contribute to pathological remodeling in heart failure. The ultimate goal of his research is to uncover novel therapeutic targets and advance precision treatment strategies for heart failure and cardiometabolic diseases.

Gabriele G. Schiattarella, MD, PhD, is a cardiologist-scientist whose research focuses on the molecular mechanisms driving heart failure, particularly HFpEF, and cardiometabolic diseases. He earned his MD from the University Federico II of Naples (Italy), where he also completed his Cardiology Fellowship and began a PhD in Experimental Medicine. He then moved to UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, USA, to further his research training. Dr. Schiattarella is Professor of Cardiometabolic Diseases at Charité University Medical Center and the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in Berlin, where he leads a research group investigating the mechanisms underlying HFpEF, HFrEF, and interorgan crosstalk in cardiometabolic diseases. His team combines systems biology approaches and experimental models to explore how metabolic dysfunction, post-translational modifications (PTMs), and protein quality control contribute to pathological remodeling in heart failure. The ultimate goal of his research is to uncover novel therapeutic targets and advance precision treatment strategies for heart failure and cardiometabolic diseases.

Magali THÉVENIAU-RUISSY is a CRHC at Inserm. During her PhD thesis in Aix-Marseille University and Post-doc at UPenn-Philadelphia-USA she first studied neurobiology. She was then recruited at Inserm in the team of Pr Daniel GROS at IBDM where she learned more about cardiac development and worked for 10 years on the characterization of cardiac progenitor cell contribution to the developing heart in the team headed by Dr Robert KELLY (IBDM). Since 2019, she carries her researches in the “Heart Development and Cardiac Regeneration” team headed by Dr Francesca ROCHAIS at Marseille Medical Genetics (Inserm-U1251) in la Timone medical school in Marseilles where she studies the impact of environmental changes on early heart development, in particular maternal obesity that is a leading cause of congenital heart defects. In 2022, she uncovered the role of the lipid sensor Ppar? as a critical regulator of early embryonic heart development identifying thus the importance of the metabolic and bioenergetic status of the cardiac progenitor cells engaged for normal heart development. Her projects, funded by the ANR and FDF, lie at the intersection between genetics and environmental causes of congenital heart defects and investigate how maternal obesity impairs metabolic homeostasis in early embryos. Ultimately, she expects to further identify relevant targets and biomarkers for preventive CHD therapies.

Magali THÉVENIAU-RUISSY is a CRHC at Inserm. During her PhD thesis in Aix-Marseille University and Post-doc at UPenn-Philadelphia-USA she first studied neurobiology. She was then recruited at Inserm in the team of Pr Daniel GROS at IBDM where she learned more about cardiac development and worked for 10 years on the characterization of cardiac progenitor cell contribution to the developing heart in the team headed by Dr Robert KELLY (IBDM). Since 2019, she carries her researches in the “Heart Development and Cardiac Regeneration” team headed by Dr Francesca ROCHAIS at Marseille Medical Genetics (Inserm-U1251) in la Timone medical school in Marseilles where she studies the impact of environmental changes on early heart development, in particular maternal obesity that is a leading cause of congenital heart defects. In 2022, she uncovered the role of the lipid sensor Ppar? as a critical regulator of early embryonic heart development identifying thus the importance of the metabolic and bioenergetic status of the cardiac progenitor cells engaged for normal heart development. Her projects, funded by the ANR and FDF, lie at the intersection between genetics and environmental causes of congenital heart defects and investigate how maternal obesity impairs metabolic homeostasis in early embryos. Ultimately, she expects to further identify relevant targets and biomarkers for preventive CHD therapies.

The laboratory investigates immune causes and consequences during ischemic, metabolic, and aging stress, and relative to steady state in the myocardium, vasculature, and in myelopoietic organs. This includes cell intrinsic and intercellular communication of phagocytes with adaptive arms of immunity, as well as parenchymal or stromal cells. An emphasis is placed on causal molecular and metabolic signaling pathways that alter the balance of protective versus maladaptive responses. The goal is to uncover broadly relevant and novel biology and physiology, and how this information can be leveraged through bioengineering to promote inflammation resolution, immune-tolerance, and ultimately tissue repair or regeneration.

The laboratory investigates immune causes and consequences during ischemic, metabolic, and aging stress, and relative to steady state in the myocardium, vasculature, and in myelopoietic organs. This includes cell intrinsic and intercellular communication of phagocytes with adaptive arms of immunity, as well as parenchymal or stromal cells. An emphasis is placed on causal molecular and metabolic signaling pathways that alter the balance of protective versus maladaptive responses. The goal is to uncover broadly relevant and novel biology and physiology, and how this information can be leveraged through bioengineering to promote inflammation resolution, immune-tolerance, and ultimately tissue repair or regeneration.

Dr. Tian is professor and director of the interdisciplinary Mitochondria & Metabolism Center at the University of Washington. Her work is recognized in bioenergetics, metabolism, and mitochondrial biology. Dr. Tian’s early work on the shift of glucose and fatty acids metabolism in cardiac remodeling has led to the recognition that pathological hypertrophy of the heart reprograms substrate metabolism for cell growth at the expense of energy supply. Her work on NAD metabolism, mitochondrial stress response and inflammation has generated strong stimuli for developing mitochondria-targeted therapy. She is currently focusing on the mechanistic role of mitochondria in cell-cell communication and in the development of HFpEF. She is the Editor in Chief for Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology.

Dr. Tian is professor and director of the interdisciplinary Mitochondria & Metabolism Center at the University of Washington. Her work is recognized in bioenergetics, metabolism, and mitochondrial biology. Dr. Tian’s early work on the shift of glucose and fatty acids metabolism in cardiac remodeling has led to the recognition that pathological hypertrophy of the heart reprograms substrate metabolism for cell growth at the expense of energy supply. Her work on NAD metabolism, mitochondrial stress response and inflammation has generated strong stimuli for developing mitochondria-targeted therapy. She is currently focusing on the mechanistic role of mitochondria in cell-cell communication and in the development of HFpEF. She is the Editor in Chief for Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology.

Daan van Aalten is Professor at Aarhus University, Denmark. Originally graduated as a chemist (1994) followed by a biocomputing PhD (1997), Daan has been working on the interface between cell signalling and glycobiology since joining Dundee as a PI (1999) using a multidisciplinary approach covering the spectrum from synthetic chemistry to genetics. Daan’s work in O-GlcNAc field has included development of chemical biology tools, uncovering novel molecular/biological mechanisms and development of animal models. Following a recent move to Aarhus university his lab now focuses on the dissection of an O-GlcNAc transferase intellectual disability syndrome.

Daan van Aalten is Professor at Aarhus University, Denmark. Originally graduated as a chemist (1994) followed by a biocomputing PhD (1997), Daan has been working on the interface between cell signalling and glycobiology since joining Dundee as a PI (1999) using a multidisciplinary approach covering the spectrum from synthetic chemistry to genetics. Daan’s work in O-GlcNAc field has included development of chemical biology tools, uncovering novel molecular/biological mechanisms and development of animal models. Following a recent move to Aarhus university his lab now focuses on the dissection of an O-GlcNAc transferase intellectual disability syndrome.

Anna Zoccarato obtained her BSc and MSc in Biotechnology from the University of Padova (Italy). She then pursued her PhD at the University of Glasgow under the supervision of Prof Manuela Zaccolo. Following her doctoral studies, she joined the lab of Prof Ajay Shah at King's College London as a Research Associate, where she focused on investigating the role of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) in modulating cardiac metabolism in response to stress. Currently, Anna is a Research Fellow and Junior Group Leader at the School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences at King’s College London. Her research aims at understanding the contribution of changes in cardiac metabolism to heart failure. Particularly, she focuses on defining, at the cellular and molecular level, how alteration of glucose intermediary metabolism impacts on biosynthetic processes and signalling pathways contributing to stress-induced pathological cardiac remodelling. In her investigations, she employs a comprehensive range of methodologies, including in vivo models of pathological cardiac remodelling, in vitro disease-modelling using human cardiomyocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and engineered heart tissue (EHTs), molecular biology techniques, and stable isotope-resolved metabolomics.

Anna Zoccarato obtained her BSc and MSc in Biotechnology from the University of Padova (Italy). She then pursued her PhD at the University of Glasgow under the supervision of Prof Manuela Zaccolo. Following her doctoral studies, she joined the lab of Prof Ajay Shah at King's College London as a Research Associate, where she focused on investigating the role of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) in modulating cardiac metabolism in response to stress. Currently, Anna is a Research Fellow and Junior Group Leader at the School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences at King’s College London. Her research aims at understanding the contribution of changes in cardiac metabolism to heart failure. Particularly, she focuses on defining, at the cellular and molecular level, how alteration of glucose intermediary metabolism impacts on biosynthetic processes and signalling pathways contributing to stress-induced pathological cardiac remodelling. In her investigations, she employs a comprehensive range of methodologies, including in vivo models of pathological cardiac remodelling, in vitro disease-modelling using human cardiomyocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and engineered heart tissue (EHTs), molecular biology techniques, and stable isotope-resolved metabolomics.