Academic cardiothoracic surgeon with competences in adult cardiac disease and special focus on thoracic organ transplantation, short and long term mechanical circulatory support. Expertise in off-pump CABG, complex aortic surgery, mitral and tricuspid valve surgery, and redo surgery. Investigator of different clinical trials including ex vivo organ perfusion and ventricular assist device therapy. Member of the German Council for Quality Control in Thoracic Organ Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support (IQTIG). Dedicated educator and member of the faculty at Hannover Medical School and the faculty of medicine at Ruhr-University Bochum. Member of ISHLT, EACTS, DGTHG, and DTG. Committed to clinical and experimental science, author of over 70 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. Passionate team player and true believer in the multidisciplinary approach, constantly seeking to improve patient care and operating processes.