During the Young Stroke Physicians and Researchers (YSPR) session at ESOC 2023 in Munich, four early career stroke physicians and researchers will present their planned or ongoing projects and receive feedback from two renowned stroke experts, Prof Charlotte Cordonnier and Dr Bob Siegerink.

The session is open to all and will take place on Wednesday, 24 May at 8:30 in Room 13 a.

In this series of interviews, we are going to introduce the early career physicians and researchers who have been selected to present their research.

Today we introduce Annaelle Zietz.

She finished her medical studies in Homburg, Germany in 2018. She started her clinical training at the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, where she currently works as a resident and is MD PhD student in her last year under the guidance of Prof Nils Peters and Prof Stefan Engelter.

How did you get involved in stroke research?

While working in the emergency department of our clinic I got interested in stroke and stroke related research questions. Through the MD PhD programme and with the help of my supervisors and our stroke research team I was able to dive more deeply into this interesting field.

Why did you choose this topic and how do you think this may have an impact on future stroke care?

While my MD PhD concentrates on clinical and neuroimaging outcome predictors in stroke patients with atrial fibrillation, I am also interested in the field of neurorehabilitation. As medical network advisor and core member of the ESTREL (Enhancement of Stroke Rehabilitation With Levodopa) team I aim to improve the neurorehabilitative care of our stroke patients.

What inspires you?

Finding answers to relevant open clinical questions that we are confronted with in everyday clinic practice regarding stroke care.

What helps you clear your head after a hard day’s work?

I like to meet my friends and visit the theater after work.  Going for a hike and travelling is another way for me to recharge.

What can your mentor expect from you?

My mentor can expect from me that I will work hard and take my enthusiasm with me to tackle any new research question of interest.

What is the best piece of advice you have received in your professional life?

To choose a research interest that truly fascinates you, otherwise it will get difficult to keep the balance between your clinical work, research activities and private life.