An electrical engineer by training, Dr. del Rio stumbled into the field of cardiac physiology and arrhythmogenesis in the late 90s, leading to doctoral work at The Ohio State University on the electronic properties of the heart, and their relationship to cardiac function in both health and disease. After research positions in both clinical (Anesthesia and Cardio-Thoracic Surgery) and pre-clinical settings, Dr. del Rio has spent the last 15 years as a safety pharmacologists advocating for in-depth cardiovascular assessments at the pre-clinical stage with a particular interest in the effects of novel therapies in translational models of disease. Current research focuses on the therapeutic avenues to address cardiac dysfunction and remodelling in disease, as well as on mechanical support, electro-mechanical and mechano-energetic interactions.