Special Interview with Dr. Ana Vujic, Youth Editorial Board Member of The Journal of Cardiovascular Aging

In April 2025, The Journal of Cardiovascular Aging (JCA) had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Ana Vujic, a dedicated researcher in cardiovascular aging and a valued member of our Youth Editorial Board. Dr. Vujic began her academic journey by earning a Wellcome Trust Four-Year PhD scholarship at the University of Cambridge. There, she trained in Dr. Roger Foo’s Lab, where she was introduced to cardioepigenetics - an experience that ignited her deep passion for cardiovascular research. This formative experience led her to the National University of Singapore, where she helped establish Dr. Foo’s lab. Later, she received an offer to join one of the leading research groups in the field as a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University. She spent seven years in the lab of Dr. Anthony Rosenzweig at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Harvard Medical School, focusing on cardiac aging and regeneration. She emphasized that this collaborative work was pivotal in shaping her identity as a cardiac researcher.

Following her time at Harvard, Dr. Vujic returned to the University of Cambridge, where she received a Career Development Fellowship that enabled her to work in a semi-independent capacity. During this period, she was embedded in the labs of Dr. Michael Murphy and Dr. Thomas Krieg, where she expanded her expertise into mitochondrial biology, specifically in the context of cardiovascular diseases. Building on these experiences, she secured a British Heart Foundation Intermediate Fellowship and established her independent research lab in 2023.

During the interview, Dr. Vujic reflected on how working alongside distinguished scholars such as Michael Murphy, Richard T. Lee, and Anthony Rosenzweig profoundly influenced her professional development. She expressed deep gratitude for the mentorship and collaborative opportunities she received, noting that these experiences were essential to her growth as a scientist. She stressed the importance of early-career researchers working in diverse laboratory settings to gain new perspectives and broaden their understanding of cardiovascular science. Additionally, she emphasized the value of building a collaborative network and being in a supportive research environment that upholds scientific rigor while maintaining integrity.

Dr. Vujic also shared insights into her current research. Her lab focuses on both basic and translational aspects of heart failure, with particular emphasis on cardiometabolic mechanisms and exercise as therapeutic interventions. Her group is part of the Cardiometabolic Program at the PHF Centre for Research Excellence.

When asked about key considerations for selecting a journal for manuscript submission, Dr. Vujic emphasized the importance of aligning with the journal’s thematic focus. As a new group leader, she also values transparent peer review processes and supportive Editorial Boards and reviewers.

In discussing emerging topics in cardiovascular aging, Dr. Vujic noted the growing interest in healthy cardiac aging - an area becoming increasingly relevant in the context of an aging global population. She pointed out the importance of understanding how to maintain cardiovascular health throughout the aging process and distinguishing between physiological aging and pathological changes, topics that are expected to gain more attention in future cardiac research.

Editor: Fiona Zhao
Language Editor: Catherine Yang
Production Editor: Ting Xu
Respectfully submitted by the Editorial Office of The Journal of Cardiovascular Aging