Professor Connie Bezzina   Amsterdam University Medical Centre (AUMC), Amsterdam (The Netherlands) ACS - Cardiomyopathy and ArrhythmiaAffiliatie UvAAmsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology MetabolismFull Professor, Experimental Cardiology Connie Bezzina is a molecular geneticist with expertise in the genetics of cardiac arrhythmias. These arrhythmias can lead to sudden cardiac death. Her research focuses on identifying the underlying causes, particularly in families in which sudden cardiac death occurs at a young age. In her work, Bezzina has already identified several genes that can cause this life-threatening arrhythmia, ventricular fibrillation. This is of great importance for families affected by ventricular fibrillation, as it allows so-called affected family members to be treated preventively. Bezzina’s research also focuses on identifying the hereditary factors that increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias in more complex heart diseases such as myocardial infarction and heart failure. Once these genetic factors are identified, many lives can potentially be saved. Bezzina has been affiliated with the Department of Experimental Cardiology at the Academic Medical Center (AMC) since 1997 in various roles, and since 2008 as Associate Professor. Previously, she worked at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Malta. Bezzina is a member of the editorial boards of Circulation Research, Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, and Europace. She has authored numerous publications, including papers in leading journals such as Nature, Nature Genetics, Circulation, and Circulation Research.