Special Interview with Prof. Anthony Rosenzweig
On December 5, 2025, Prof. Danielle R. Bruns, Editorial Board Member of The Journal of Cardiovascular Aging and Associate Professor at the University of Wyoming, USA, interviewed Prof. Anthony Rosenzweig, Director of the Stanley and Judith Frankel Institute for Heart and Brain Health (IHBH) at the University of Michigan Medical Center, USA.
During the conversation, Prof. Rosenzweig shared his lab's major findings on exercise-induced cardioprotection, demonstrating that exercise activates intrinsic cardiac pathways that enhance the heart's resistance to pathological stress. He also highlighted the translational potential of exercise-inspired and RNA-based approaches for cardiac aging, while candidly discussing the scientific and regulatory challenges in developing such therapies.
Prof. Rosenzweig further offered insights into fostering innovation in research teams, emphasizing that psychological safety, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and clear scientific communication are key to advancing discovery. This interview provides valuable guidance for researchers exploring exercise-related cardioprotection and future directions in cardiovascular translational science.
Watch the full interview between Prof. Anthony Rosenzweig and Prof. Danielle R. Bruns:
Interview Questions:
Q1. Was there a particular experiment, finding, or paper early in your career that made you think, "This is what I want to study"?
Q2. Your lab has made important contributions to understanding how exercise induces cardioprotective effects at the cellular and molecular levels. What do you consider the most compelling evidence showing that exercise activates distinct protective pathways in cardiomyocytes, rather than simply improving systemic metabolism?
Q3. What do you see as the major translational gaps that still limit the development of exercise-mimetic therapies or RNA-based therapeutics for cardiac aging?
Q4. How do you cultivate creativity and collaboration in your lab? Any advice you give to young researchers starting in cardiovascular research?
About Prof. Anthony Rosenzweig:
Prof. Anthony Rosenzweig is the inaugural Director of the Institute for Heart and Brain Health (IHBH) at the University of Michigan Medical Center, USA. He leads one of the world's leading research programs investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms of heart failure and cardioprotection, with a focus on how exercise‑induced pathways support heart and brain health. Prof. Rosenzweig has authored and co‑authored more than 200 peer‑reviewed publications, with total citations exceeding 32,500 times. His work has driven multiple patents and translational therapeutic strategies now entering clinical investigation. As a mentor, he has trained dozens of postdoctoral fellows, many of whom now hold prominent academic leadership positions.
About Prof. Danielle R. Bruns:
Prof. Danielle R. Bruns is an Associate Professor of Zoology & Physiology at the University of Wyoming, USA. She conducts internationally recognized research on the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying heart disease, aging, and the impact of exercise and hypoxia on cardiac and muscle function. Her work has received major funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the period 2025–2030. In recognition of her scholarship, mentorship, and contributions, she was named a 2025 UW President's Distinguished Scholar (University of Wyoming).
Editor: Celia Li
Language Editor: Catherine Yang
Production Editor: Ting Xu
Respectfully Submitted by the Editorial Office of The Journal of Cardiovascular Aging
