Special Interview with Dr. Ana Vujic
On June 9, 2025, the Editorial Office of The Journal of Cardiovascular Aging (JCA) conducted an interview with Dr. Ana Vujic, a cardiovascular aging researcher and member of the JCA Youth Editorial Board. Dr. Vujic shared how her academic journey-from a Wellcome Trust PhD at Cambridge, postdoctoral training on cardiac aging and regeneration at Harvard Medical School, to independent research supported by a British Heart Foundation Intermediate Fellowship-shaped her expertise in cardiometabolic mechanisms and mitochondrial biology.
Her lab, established in 2023, focuses on heart failure research, exploring both basic and translational aspects, with particular interest in exercise-based interventions. Dr. Vujic emphasized the importance of mentorship, collaborative networks, and diverse lab experiences in scientific development. She also highlighted healthy cardiac aging as a key emerging area, stressing the need to differentiate between physiological and pathological changes in the aging heart. This interview provides valuable insights into the experiences and perspectives of an early-career leader in cardiovascular aging, offering guidance for young researchers and highlighting priorities for future research in the field.
Watch the following video for expert insights from Dr. Ana Vujic:
Interview Questions:
Q1. Could you share what inspired your passion for cardiology and how you began your academic journey in this field?
Q2, You have engaged with prestigious global institutions such as the University of Cambridge, the National University of Singapore, and Harvard University, as well as collaborated with leading cardiology scholars like Richard T. Lee, Michael P. Murphy, and Anthony N.Rosenzweig.Could you share how these experiences have shaped your professional growth and career trajectory? What key insights have you gained from these renowned institutions and distinguished experts?
Q3. Could you please briefly introduce your research lab and the progress of your current projects?
Q4. You have published many papers in academic journals. As an author,what key factors should scholars consider when selecting journals for manuscript submission?
Q5. Your recent work has focused on cardiac aging. Could you highlight the most significant advances in this research area and identify current emerging topics in the field?
O6. As a Youth Editorial Board Member, what do you see as key opportunities for The Journal of Cardiovascular Aging to expand it's impact in the field?
Q7. Could you share what inspired your passion for cardiology and how you began your academic journey in this field?
About Dr. Ana Vujic:
Dr. Ana Vujic is an Associate Principal Investigator at the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, UK. Her research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of heart function, heart failure, and cardiometabolic disease, with particular emphasis on the effects of exercise and diet on cardiac health. After earning her PhD at Cambridge, she conducted postdoctoral research at Harvard University in Prof. Anthony Rosenzweig's lab, studying cardiac aging and regeneration. In 2020, she returned to Cambridge to investigate mitochondrial regulatory mechanisms in heart failure and exercise, and in 2023 she established her independent research team through a BHF Intermediate Research Fellowship. She has authored around 60 publications cited over 1,200 times.
Editor: Celia Li
Language Editor: Catherine Yang
Production Editor: Ting Xu
Respectfully Submitted by the Editorial Office of The Journal of Cardiovascular Aging
