We have dedicated a section on our IRENE website to promote the successful stroke care researchers and innovators under 40 years of age.
In this article, we feature Dr. Alvise Salimbeni, a talented researcher from the University of Padua in Italy. Dr. Salimbeni attended the Short Term Scientific Mission funded by IRENE in the last quarter of 2021 at Kepler University Hospital, Linz, where he was kindly hosted by Dr. Milan Vosko. Now Dr. Vosko brings an interesting interview with Dr. Salimbeni about his career and also his research stay in Linz.
1. Where do you come from and what was your motivation to focus on cerebrovascular neurology?
I attended the Medical Faculty at Università degli Studi di Padova, Italy, one of the most ancient universities in the world, where I had the opportunity to grow as a physician in a stimulating scientific environment. I first got in contact with the cerebrovascular field in 2018, when I attended a thrilling lecture on stroke held by Dr. Claudio Baracchini, head of our Stroke Unit, with whom I had the honor to work since then. My interest in this branch was constantly developing, eventually leading to my Master's Degree in 2019 with a research project on cognitive impairment in young patients with ischemic stroke.
2. It is nice to hear that the clinic at your alma mater is supporting the international corporation and your study stay which you attended in Linz. How did you choose the host institution?
Since I obtained my Master’s Degree, I decided to prolong my cooperation with Dr. Baracchini's stroke team, with the intention to join Padova Neurology Clinic as a resident. Then I felt the need to spend some time visiting a top-level stroke center abroad, in order to get in contact with a different approach to stroke care and to gain new skills. I already had the opportunity to work with Dr. M. R. Vosko and his team during my Master’s Degree, when I took part in a multicenter research project, and I wanted to extend and expand this cooperation, which led to my application to Kepler Universitatsklinikum in Linz, Austria.
3. How would you describe the adaptation to the new country, new hospital and new team. How did you manage to understand German?
Each member of the host institution provided me with everything I needed in order to make my stay as fruitful as possible, and a pleasant work environment gave me the opportunity to focus even more on my research activity.
Despite the fact that I couldn't speak German, my knowledge of the English language proved to be sufficient and I never felt limited to achieve the goals I had previously set. Throughout my stay, my understanding of the German language significantly increased, making it easier for me to fulfil my daily activities.
4. What was the main focus of your scientific stay in Linz, Austria?
My research activity was mainly focused on cerebral blood flow assessment in Intensive Care Unit patients. In addition, our scientific interest was particularly focused on patients treated with ECMO. To do so, I had the opportunity to test a novel robotic transcranial doppler device, which was employed to run a feasibility study.
5. Will you apply some gained knowledge in Stroke management at your mother institution?
Robotic transcranial doppler systems might represent a pivotal tool in long-term monitoring of cerebral blood flow. Therefore, the incredible amount of knowledge and skills I have gained in Linz will be decisive for my professional growth. In addition, during my residency in Padova, I will have the opportunity to utilize several robotic devices for research purposes and clinical practice, which will turn my already more than fruitful experience into something even more valuable to my career.
6. Are there any aspects which you would recommend other applicants for the Short Term Scientific Study stays in order to use the stay effectively?
I would certainly recommend every applicant to always keep his mind as open as possible to new knowledge and skills, in order to make their stay effective and fruitful.
I strongly recommend every young physician to follow the same path, which will lead to a guaranteed professional and personal growth.
My STSM at Kepler Universitatsklinikum Stroke Unit will lead to stroke care quality improvements, providing physicians with a new device to assess stroke patients in a more extensive, reliable and non operator-dependent way and to improve stroke diagnosis and management.
Interview prepared by Dr. Milan Vosko
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