University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
Dr. Aniela Monica Popescu is an accomplished cardiologist and academic with a specialized focus on valvular and congenital heart diseases, heart failure, and cardiovascular imaging. Her clinical and research pursuits have spanned multiple leading medical institutions across Europe, including Germany, Belgium, and Romania. With dual expertise in both clinical cardiology and advanced imaging techniques, Dr. Popescu has demonstrated a consistent trajectory of academic excellence and professional advancement. Her commitment to medical innovation is evidenced by her active involvement in numerous international research projects, her extensive list of certifications in cardiology subfields, and her influential role in professional cardiovascular societies. A recipient of prestigious awards such as the Young Investigator Award and fellowships from the European and German Societies of Cardiology, she has established herself as a rising leader in the field. Additionally, she serves as a member of multiple scientific committees and peer-review panels for top-tier journals. Through a combination of advanced clinical training, groundbreaking research, and a deep commitment to cardiovascular health, Dr. Popescu has become a prominent voice in modern cardiology. Her international training and recognition underline a career that not only contributes to the scientific community but also impacts patient care on a global scale.
Professional Profile
Education
Dr. Aniela Monica Popescu’s educational journey reflects a strong foundation in medicine and a specialization in advanced cardiovascular imaging. She earned her medical degree from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila in Bucharest, Romania, graduating with top honors (100/100). Her academic promise was recognized early, with a scholarship for exceptional academic merit throughout her studies. She completed her doctoral thesis at the University Hospital Düsseldorf, Germany, where her research on human myoglobin’s functional properties marked her first significant scientific contribution. Seeking further specialization, she pursued a postgraduate Master’s degree in Advanced Medical Imaging at the University Gasthuisberg Leuven, Belgium. Her thesis on myocardial shear waves in cardiac amyloidosis patients, graded summa cum laude, exemplifies her pioneering research interests. Dr. Popescu has also earned multiple board certifications in internal medicine and cardiology in Germany, which are recognized across the EU and in Romania. Her advanced certifications include levels in cardiac CT, cardiac MRI, echocardiography, resynchronization therapy, and sports cardiology, attesting to her multidimensional expertise. With continuous professional development and a focus on state-of-the-art cardiac imaging, her education has been a critical pillar in her development as a clinical researcher and cardiologist.
Professional Experience
Dr. Aniela Monica Popescu’s professional career is marked by continuous progression through top-tier clinical and academic institutions across Europe. Since April 2019, she has served as a cardiologist at the University Hospital Center Mainz in Germany, contributing to the Heart Valve Center and National Congenital Heart Disease Center. Her clinical scope includes valvular and congenital heart disease, heart failure, and cardiac conditions during pregnancy. Currently, she is also undertaking a second residency in pediatric cardiology at the Marie Sklodowska Curie Emergency Hospital for Children in Bucharest, focusing on interventional cardiology under distinguished mentors. Dr. Popescu has previously held fellowships in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography at University Hospital Gasthuisberg in Leuven, Belgium. Earlier roles include a residency in internal medicine and intensive care at the Academic Hospital of Trier and a cardiology residency in Düsseldorf, Germany. Her international experiences have equipped her with a unique perspective on both adult and pediatric cardiology. From her early beginnings as a cardiology research fellow in 2011 to her current dual clinical roles, Dr. Popescu has demonstrated unwavering dedication to advancing both her practical and academic expertise in cardiology, with a special emphasis on imaging and structural heart disease.
Research Interests
Dr. Aniela Monica Popescu’s research interests lie at the intersection of cardiovascular imaging, valvular heart disease, and congenital heart anomalies. Her work has consistently emphasized innovative diagnostic techniques, particularly high frame rate imaging and shear wave imaging, for more accurate and earlier detection of cardiac abnormalities. A key focus of her studies has been the application of echocardiography in patients with structural heart conditions and heart failure. Her academic contributions include pioneering research on myocardial shear waves in patients with cardiac amyloidosis, which has garnered international recognition. Dr. Popescu has been actively involved in research groups across Germany and Belgium, including the Structural Heart Disease team at the University Hospital Center Mainz and the Imaging Research Center at Gasthuisberg Leuven. She has also worked extensively in the areas of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis, contributing to translational cardiovascular research. Her participation in global clinical trials such as V-WAVE RELIEVE-HF and EuroSMR highlights her commitment to evidence-based medicine. With a passion for precision diagnostics and improved patient outcomes, Dr. Popescu’s research remains deeply embedded in the advancement of non-invasive imaging and the management of complex heart conditions, serving as a bridge between clinical practice and cutting-edge scientific inquiry.
Research Skills
Dr. Aniela Monica Popescu possesses an impressive arsenal of research skills that span laboratory experimentation, clinical investigation, and advanced imaging analysis. Her expertise in echocardiography—particularly high frame rate and shear wave imaging—places her at the forefront of cardiac diagnostics research. She has significant experience with cardiovascular MRI and CT, both from a technical and interpretive standpoint, contributing to multimodal assessment in structural heart disease. Her methodological strengths include data analysis, clinical protocol development, and interdisciplinary collaboration across cardiology, radiology, and internal medicine. Dr. Popescu’s ability to design and lead complex research studies has been demonstrated through her involvement in numerous international clinical trials such as CLASP IID/IIF, RHEIA, and MitraClip EXPAND. Her doctoral and master’s theses also highlight strong scientific writing and investigative rigor. She has served as a peer reviewer for journals including Nature Scientific Reports, Echocardiography, and The British Journal of Radiology, indicating her capacity to critically assess scientific work. Additionally, her engagement with multiple scientific committees shows her leadership in shaping research priorities in cardiovascular imaging. Overall, Dr. Popescu’s research skills are both technically proficient and strategically applied to advance the field of cardiology through evidence-based, patient-centered innovation.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Aniela Monica Popescu has earned numerous accolades that underscore her excellence and innovation in cardiovascular research. Among her most distinguished achievements are the Young Investigator Awards from the European Society of Cardiovascular Imaging (2018 and 2024), recognizing both her clinical and basic science research. She is also a Fellow of the European Society of Cardiovascular Imaging (FEACVI), a title awarded for outstanding academic and professional accomplishments. Her research contributions earned her the Best ePoster Award from the European Society of Cardiology in 2020 and the Best Poster Presentation Award in 2017. Dr. Popescu received a prestigious Research Grant from the German Society of Cardiology, worth €50,000, further validating the scientific significance of her work. Additionally, she has benefited from educational grants and scholarships, including a merit-based scholarship throughout her medical studies. Her recognitions reflect a consistent record of high-impact contributions to cardiovascular science, particularly in the areas of advanced imaging and structural heart disease. These honors not only affirm her leadership in academic cardiology but also position her as a role model for future generations of clinical researchers. Her decorated career highlights her capacity to merge academic excellence with meaningful clinical advancements.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Dr. Aniela Monica Popescu stands out as a highly qualified and innovative candidate for any prestigious research recognition, including the Best Researcher Award. Her career reflects a rare combination of scientific acumen, clinical excellence, and academic leadership. With a strong foundation in both adult and pediatric cardiology, complemented by cutting-edge expertise in cardiovascular imaging, Dr. Popescu has consistently contributed to advancing the understanding and treatment of complex heart diseases. Her involvement in high-impact research projects, authorship in reputable journals, and receipt of competitive international awards affirm her global standing in the cardiology community. Moreover, her commitment to professional development, as evidenced by multiple certifications and committee memberships, shows her dedication to lifelong learning and knowledge dissemination. Areas for potential growth could include broader engagement in interdisciplinary collaborations and expanded mentorship roles, which would further amplify her impact. Overall, Dr. Popescu exemplifies the qualities of a leading clinical researcher: analytical rigor, clinical empathy, scientific vision, and international collaboration. She is not only deserving of recognition for past accomplishments but also poised for continued contributions to cardiovascular medicine and science.
Publications Top Notes
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Title: Impact of right ventricular dysfunction on outcomes after transcatheter edge-to-edge repair for secondary mitral regurgitation
Authors: N. Karam, L. Stolz, M. Orban, S. Deseive, F. Praz, D. Kalbacher, …
Year: 2021
Citations: 98
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Title: Velocities of naturally occurring myocardial shear waves increase with age and in cardiac amyloidosis
Authors: A. Petrescu, P. Santos, M. Orlowska, J. Pedrosa, S. Bézy, B. Chakraborty, …
Year: 2019
Citations: 83
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Title: Left atrial strain determinants during the cardiac phases
Authors: G.G. Mălăescu, O. Mirea, R. Capotă, A.M. Petrescu, J. Duchenne, J.U. Voigt
Year: 2022
Citations: 81
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Title: Transcatheter mitral valve repair in patients with atrial functional mitral regurgitation
Authors: P. Doldi, L. Stolz, M. Orban, N. Karam, F. Praz, D. Kalbacher, E. Lubos, …
Year: 2022
Citations: 75
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Title: Natural shear wave imaging in the human heart: normal values, feasibility, and reproducibility
Authors: P. Santos, A.M. Petrescu, J. Pedrosa, M. Orlowska, V. Komini, J.U. Voigt, …
Year: 2018
Citations: 70
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Title: Impact of residual mitral regurgitation on survival after transcatheter edge-to-edge repair for secondary mitral regurgitation
Authors: S. Higuchi, M. Orban, L. Stolz, N. Karam, F. Praz, D. Kalbacher, S. Ludwig, …
Year: 2021
Citations: 60
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Title: Impact of proportionality of secondary mitral regurgitation on outcome after transcatheter mitral valve repair
Authors: M. Orban, N. Karam, E. Lubos, D. Kalbacher, D. Braun, S. Deseive, M. Neuss, …
Year: 2021
Citations: 60
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Title: Outcomes stratified by adapted inclusion criteria after mitral edge-to-edge repair
Authors: B. Koell, M. Orban, J. Weimann, M. Kassar, N. Karam, M. Neuss, A. Petrescu, …
Year: 2021
Citations: 48
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Title: Concomitant tricuspid regurgitation severity and its secondary reduction determine long-term prognosis after transcatheter mitral valve edge-to-edge repair
Authors: M. Geyer, K. Keller, K. Bachmann, S. Born, A.R. Tamm, T.F. Ruf, F. Kreidel, …
Year: 2021
Citations: 44
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Title: Interplay of cardiac remodelling and myocardial stiffness in hypertensive heart disease: a shear wave imaging study using high-frame rate echocardiography
Authors: M. Cvijic, S. Bézy, A. Petrescu, P. Santos, M. Orlowska, B. Chakraborty, …
Year: 2020
Citations: 39