YSPR Design Research Workshop. Today we introduce Elias Auer.
After completing my medical degree at the University of Bern, I started residency training in Internal and Emergency Medicine. Fascinated by the logical approach to complex and often urgent neurologic conditions, I then transitioned to Neurology with a focus on Vascular Neurology. I currently work as a resident physician, research fellow, and PhD candidate at the Department of Neurology, Inselspital Bern, Switzerland.
How did you get involved in stroke research?
Although all stroke patients share the same diagnosis, the wide variability in clinical presentation, comorbidities, and personal histories is both challenging and fascinating. Witnessing my mentors, David Seiffge and Thomas Meinel, scientifically address clinically relevant bedside questions and unmet needs in stroke care ignited my motivation to contribute to improving daily stroke management. The outstanding research environment at the Inselspital, especially with its involvement in major RCTs (ELAN, Switch, ELAPSE, Do-It), has further enabled my engagement in clinical research.
What have been the most difficult challenges regarding your research career so far?
Despite the privilege of working in a well-established Stroke Research Center, getting started with my own project was challenging. Coming from a purely clinical background, it took time to become familiar with the process of developing a clear research question, designing a feasible study, preparing the ethics application, and applying for grants. Navigating the research-specific administrative tasks and learning the fundamentals of statistics were new experiences. While the beginning was demanding, it marked a valuable step in my future path as a clinician-scientist.
Why did you choose this topic and how do you think this may impact future stroke care?
Every stroke physician encounters patients with atrial fibrillation who suffer a stroke despite ongoing anticoagulant therapy. It’s frustrating not being able to answer the patient’s and their family’s question of why they experienced a stroke despite adhering to protective medication. This is especially difficult, knowing the high risk of recurrent strokes in these patients. With our CARE-AF project, we aim to gain insights into the mechanisms of stroke in these high-risk patients. My goal is to provide a clear answer to this question for our future patients and to guide therapeutic decisions, particularly in light of novel treatment strategies such as left atrial appendage occlusion.
What helps you clear your head after a hard day’s work?
Even after the longest shifts – and especially on weekends – I love to cook. There is no better place to clear my mind than in the kitchen, preparing dishes from all over the world to enjoy with family and friends. Football has also been a part of my life since I was a child, so I still try to play as often as possible.
In Bern, especially during the summer, nothing beats a refreshing swim in the river Aare on the way home from work.
What is the best piece of advice you have received in your professional life?
Regarding my clinical career, one of my first attendings emphasized the importance of always examining the patient yourself, and doing so on every round. This advice is increasingly vital, as clinical examination can sometimes be overshadowed by the growing number of technical diagnostic possibilities. A thorough physical exam not only deepens one’s understanding of the patient’s condition but also strengthens the doctor-patient relationship.
As for research, my mentors often remind me that research is a marathon, not a sprint. Every step counts, and each obstacle may be hard, but it is an opportunity for growth.
