In the last two decades, I dedicated my research career to translating clinically relevant questions. Following securing a British Heart Foundation Intermediate Research Fellowship, I joined the cardiovascular research section of the Bristol Medical School. This award helped creating an excellent close-collaboration opportunity with fellow surgeons within the Bristol Heart Institute. It has given me the opportunity to bring my basic science research experience (Molecular and Cellular Biology) to address clinical questions relevant to pediatric and adult heart diseases. My translational research was directed towards using ‘omics’ to delineate the molecular mechanisms underlying reoxygenation/reperfusion injury in order to improve myocardial protection.

Over the same period, I developed an interest in stem cells research and regenerative medicine. My translational research was directed towards developing a living tissue composed of perinatal stem cells and a supporting scaffold that could be used as a material in corrective pediatric heart surgery. The hypothesis is that this engineered tissue will allow for growth and thus solve the major limitation of routinely used replacement grafts.