Career Launchpad: Inspiring Futures in Science and Art
We invite you to join an international roundtable bringing together leading experts from the United States and Europe to discuss career development in biomedical research.
The event is designed for students and early-career researchers seeking guidance on building successful careers in academia, industry, and clinical science.
Through short presentations and an interactive discussion, panelists will share insights on career planning, research innovation, and professional growth. A student-led introduction will frame the session and ensure the dialogue reflects the interests of the audience.
This roundtable offers a unique opportunity to explore diverse career paths, connect with experienced scientists, and gain practical advice for your professional journey.
A Research Career in
Biomedical Sciences
27 September 2025, 9:00 EST, 16:00 EET
Format: Online (Zoom)
Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/UwDRa4TUS_Wtiqau3bfs4w
Participants
Saumya Das, MD PhD - Dr. Das is Professor Of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, faculty member of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Service and the Co-Director of The Inherited Arrhythmia Service At Massachusetts General Hospital. He completed undergraduate training at Harvard College, graduating summa cum laude in Biology. He completed his MD-PhD training at Harvard Medical School (in the Health Sciences and Technology pathway) with his PhD in neurobiology. Following that, Dr. Das completed his residency in internal medicine at MGH, and fellowship training in cardiovascular disease and clinical cardiac electrophysiology also at MGH. He completed a research post-doctoral fellowship with Dr. Rosenzweig, studying signaling pathways in cardiac electrical remodeling and started his own laboratory at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in 2011. He was recruited to MGH in 2016. His research has focused on signaling pathways in electrical and structural remodeling in models of heart failure and cardiometabolic disease with a focus on extracellular vesicles and their cargo RNAs as biomarkers and mediators of intercellular signaling.
Nicholas Houstis, MD PhD - Dr. Houstis is a computer scientist, biologist, and cardiologist whose research interests span exercise physiology, cardiovascular hemodynamics, and clinical informatics. His research aims to build tools that allow a systematic, quantitative, interpretable, and trustworthy computational analysis that has been vetted on real-world data. Dr. Houstis received his MS in Computer Science from Purdue University at the age of 17. He subsequently obtained his PhD in Biology from M.I.T in the lab of Eric Lander. He graduated from Harvard Medical School and completed his training in internal medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He went on to complete his cardiovascular fellowship and post-doctoral training at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he is currently on staff as a cardiologist and scientist.
Andreea Inceu, MD - Dr. Inceu graduated from Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, where she is now a fourth-year cardiology fellow, PhD candidate, and Assistant Professor of Medicine. Her research bridges clinical cardiology and molecular science, spanning atherosclerotic plaque biology, cardiovascular complications of endocrine tumors, metabolic effects of probiotics, and embolic risk in infective endocarditis. She has co-authored multiple peer-reviewed studies and reviews in leading journals, advancing understanding of cardiovascular pathophysiology and therapeutic strategies. Committed to academic medicine, Dr. Inceu is dedicated to mentoring students and integrating translational research into clinical practice.
Madalina Moldovan, MD - Dr. Moldovan is a cardiology fellow, PhD student, and faculty member at Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj-Napoca. She is recognized for her commitment to teaching and mentoring students and residents. Her PhD research focuses on right heart structure and function in heart failure. She has presented extensively at all major international cardiology meetings (ESC, ACC, AHA, HRS), sharing research on right ventricular dysfunction, cardiac resynchronization therapy, and atrial fibrillation. In December 2023, she received first prize at the Iuliu Hațieganu Scientific Sessions for her presentation on ECG predictors of RV dysfunction. She is also co-author of a 2025 Heart Rhythm O₂ article on papillary muscle dyssynchrony and mitral regurgitation in advanced heart failure.
Moderators
Eric Daniel Blendea - Eric is a senior in high school at Emil Racovita National College in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, with aspirations in astrophysics and life sciences. Passionate about guiding peers, he is dedicated to helping fellow students navigate and define their career paths.
Nectarie Pașca - Nectarie is a high school student at Emil Racovita National College in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, with a passion for astronomy. Eager to inspire others, Nectarie is committed to helping peers explore their interests and reach for the stars in their career journeys.
Event organized by
Eric Daniel Blendea, Csilla Andrea Apetrei, and Cluj Cardiology
Program Agenda
1. Opening Remarks (5 minutes)
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Welcome by student moderators.
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Brief overview of the session’s objectives.
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Purpose of the event: to encourage students and early-career researchers to explore rewarding paths in biomedical research and highlight the importance of resilience, innovation, and collaboration.
2. Educational Pathways in Biomedical Sciences: Romania and the United States (10 minutes)
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Romania
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Structure of biomedical education: undergraduate medical/biological sciences programs, followed by residency, master’s, or PhD training.
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Challenges such as limited funding and infrastructure, and opportunities in EU programs and international collaborations.
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United States
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Undergraduate training in life sciences (biology, chemistry, biomedical engineering).
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Options for graduate training (PhD, MD, MD-PhD).
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Strong emphasis on research labs, grant funding, and structured mentorship.
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Comparative Insights: student moderators highlight similarities and differences (e.g., training length, research integration, career flexibility).
3. Expert Panel Discussion (45 minutes)
a. Moderator-Led Q&A (15 minutes)
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Topics may include:
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Career motivations and early influences.
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Emerging opportunities in biomedical research.
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Balancing academic, clinical, and industry perspectives.
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b. Panelist Narratives and Advice (20 minutes)
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Each of the four panelists presents their career path.
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Lessons learned, obstacles overcome, and guidance for aspiring researchers.
c. Interactive Student Q&A (10 minutes)
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Questions submitted in advance or live.
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Moderators select and pose to the panel.
4. Closing Remarks and Key Takeaways (5 minutes)
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Summary of impactful insights.
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Emphasis on perseverance, adaptability, and collaboration in biomedical careers.
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Thanks to panelists and participants.