Special Interview with Dr. Michael J. Zhang
On May 12, 2025, the Editorial Office of The Journal of Cardiovascular Aging (JCA) conducted an interview with Dr. Michael J. Zhang of the University of Minnesota Medical School, USA.
Dr. Zhang highlighted how early research and clinical experiences shaped his focus on AF, emphasizing its high prevalence and patient impact. His work spans prevention, detection, and treatment, including risk factor management, emerging ablation technologies, safer anticoagulation, and exploring atrial myopathy as a key underlying mechanism. He also stressed the importance of defining healthy cardiovascular aging and the promise of AI-driven integration of clinical, imaging, and omics data to uncover mechanisms and guide precision therapies. This interview offers a concise view of Dr. Zhang's translational and forward-looking approach in cardiovascular aging research.
Watch the following video for expert insights from Dr. Michael J. Zhang:
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 received prestigious awards such as the American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship and the NIH NHLBI F32 Grant. Could you share how these experiences have contributed to your professional growth and career trajectory?
Q3. Could you recommend any academic societies or professional associations related to The Journal of Cardiovascular Aging that would be valuable for researchers in this field?
Q4. As an author, what key factors should scholars consider when selecting journals for manuscript submission?
O5. Your recent work has focused on atrial fibrillation.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 its impact in the field?
Q7. Looking ahead, what do you see the role of Al in cardiovascular aging research?
About Dr. Michael J. Zhang:
Dr. Michael J. Zhang is an Assistant Professor in the Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA, and an advanced imaging cardiologist and translational scientist. He earned his MD and PhD from the University of Louisville and completed internal medicine and cardiovascular disease training at the University of Minnesota, followed by advanced cardiovascular imaging training. His research focuses on atrial fibrillation, aging, and translational cardiovascular science, including studies on arterial stiffness, atrial myopathy, and coagulation factor XI. Dr. Zhang has published over 60 papers with more than 350 citations, received a 2025 NHLBI K08 award, and serves on the Youth Editorial Board of The Journal of Cardiovascular Aging.
Editor: Celia Li
Language Editor: Catherine Yang
Production Editor: Ting Xu
Respectfully Submitted by the Editorial Office of The Journal of Cardiovascular Aging
