Organizing Committee
Leo Yoon - Chair
Leo Yoon is currently a 4th year medical student at the University of Groningen and is also an MD/PhD candidate at the department of Cardiology at the UMCG. His research focuses on investigating the pathophysiology of Worsening Heart Failure using multi-omics data. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis and going to the gym.
Thijmen Bergwerff – Treasurer
Thijmen Bergwerff is currently a 4th year medical student and MD/PhD candidate at the Department of Cardiology at the UMCG under Prof. Dr. A.A. Voors and Prof. Dr M. Rienstra. His research focuses on heart failure and atrial fibrillation, with a particular interest in their underlying pathophysiology and biomarker-based characterization. Through his PhD work, he is involved in clinical and translational research projects aimed at improving understanding and management of heart failure and atrial fibrillation. In his free time, he enjoys staying active outdoors and in the gym, with hobbies including gravel cycling, climbing, and weight training.
Vlad Bonaciu – Secretary
Vlad Bonaciu is a 4th year medical student, the secretary of the Cardiology Summer School and is currently doing a scientific internship at the Cardiology Department. His interests lie mainly in the interplay between metabolism and innate immune biology, with a focus on the effects of central obesity and visceral fat on macrophages in heart failure pathophysiology. Aside from medicine and research, Vlad is a houseplant enthusiast, he is training for a marathon and the gym, enjoys high fantasy books and cooking.
Daan Ceelen – Logistics Coordinator
Daan Ceelen began as a student researcher in the Department of Experimental Cardiology during his Bachelor’s and Master’s in Medicine through the JSM Honours track. Having developed a strong interest in clinical research during his studies, he continued as an MD/PhD candidate at the Department of Cardiology at UMCG under Prof. Dr. A.A. Voors and Dr. J.M. ter Maaten. Since July 2024, his research has largely centered on phenotypical-guided strategies for managing heart failure.
Zoe Genschel – Logistic coordinator
Zoë is currently a MD/PhD student at the department of experimental cardiology and immunology; her interest in research began during her bachelor, where she part-took in the JSM honours programme and developed a specific interest in the immuno-cardiology. She is currently supervised by Prof. Dr. Voors and Prof. Dr. Heeringa and conducting research on the role of the innate immune system in patients with acute and chronic Heart Failure.
Next to her research, Zoë enjoys spending time with friends, sewing, salsa and political literature.
Lucija Cosic – Education
Lucija Cosic is a medical doctor with a strong clinical interest in cardiology, and current PhD candidate on the interactions between the kidney and heart in patients with heart failure at the Department of Cardiology, UMCG. Lucija contributed to the Summer School of Cardiology as an educational programme advisor. In her free time, Lucija enjoys visiting art galleries, travelling, and playing tennis.
Geert Voordes – Education
After working as a physician in the clinics for 2 years in cardiology and pulmonary medicine, Geert Voordes has nearly finished his PhD in cardiology in the UMCG under prof. Dr. A.A. Voors, dr. K. Damman and dr. J.M. ter Maaten, focusing on the triad of Heart failure and chronic kidney disease and congestion. During his 4 year PhD journey, he has performed numerous epidemiological and proteomic analysis, has been involved in numerous clinical trials and performed his own phase II clinical trial. In his free time, Geert enjoys road cycling, running and playing drums in a professional coverband.
Rianne Zandijk – Education
Rianne Zandijk is a medical doctor and PhD candidate at the Department of Cardiology at the UMCG under supervision Prof. Dr. A.A. Voors and Prof. Dr M. Rienstra. Her research focuses on the epidemiology, pathophysiology and treatment of the complex interplay between atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Rianne received a personal Dekker grant for the DEEP-AF-HF trial, which evaluates whether a diagnostic electrical cardioversion can help identify if symptoms are primary caused by HF or AF. This could inform the physician on AF and HF-related symptoms and result in more targeted and personalized treatment. In her free time, Rianne enjoys running, playing tennis, and traveling.
Mamata Sekhar Muppiri – Public Relations
Mamata is a member of the organizing committee for the Summer School Cardiology responsible for the promotion of the summer school through various social media platforms. She is currently studying Medicine at the RUG and is also an MD/PhD candidate in the Nephrology department at the UMCG, focusing on energy metabolism and the role of creatine in dialysis. Aside from her activities in the summer school committee, she enjoys reworking living spaces through simple DIY projects and exploring nearby nature trails.
Carlota Eikelboom – Public Relations
Carlota is a fifth-year medical student and is responsible for public relations and social media promotion for the Summer School of Cardiology. She is currently affiliated with the University of Groningen (RUG) and has research experience across multiple disciplines, including haematology, cardiology, and trauma surgery. Additionally, she has developed
