After completing my study of medicine at the University of Heidelberg, I pursued specialist certification in cardiology and angiology at the University of Freiburg under Professor Just. I am certified in cardiology, internal medicine, and angiology. My main fields of expertise during specialist training in cardiology and angiology were in ultrasound examination of the heart and vessels, and in cardiac cathetherisation (including balloon angioplasty). My research activities focussed on examining heart- muscle inflammation and potential therapeutic approaches using vitamin C in patients with high blood pressure, hypercholesterol, and in smokers; my habilitation thesis addressed the vascular system's endothelial-dependent regulatory mechanisms. I am currently researching cardiac inflammatory processes via magnetic resonance technology, a state-of-the-art imaging method. With this technology we can detect cardiac inflammation at an extremely early stage of development, something other technologies cannot. This is important, for instance, in the context of influenza, tonsil infections, or bronchitis, as the heart can often be affected without the patient's being aware of it. Magnetic resonance (MR) technology also plays a key role in monitoring very physically-active individuals who plan to significantly reduce the intensity of their athletic involvement. Reviewer for various cardiological journals

Memberships:

• German Cardiac Society • ESC Professional Member • Member of the DEGUM (German Association of Ultrasound in Medicine) • American Heart Association Premium Professional Member • Member of the Working Group on Interventional Cardiolgy of the German Society of Cardiology • Member of the AFNET (Atrial Fibrillation Network) • German high pressure league e.V. DHL, German Society for Hypertension and Prevention