Cardiovascular Medicine, one of 10 sections in the Yale Department of Internal Medicine, is dedicated to improving cardiovascular health by advancing groundbreaking research, training the next generation of experts in cardiology, and delivering world-class patient care to people with a range of cardiovascular issues. To learn more, visit Cardiovascular Medicine.
Q+A
Fellow Focus in Four: Ibolya Csecs, MD, Cardiovascular Medicine
Meet Ibolya Csecs, MD, who aims to use advanced cardiovascular imaging to detect disease earlier and better predict patient risk.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in medicine and/or cardiovascular medicine?
My interest in cardiology began during medical school, following a clinical rotation where I encountered cases of aborted sudden cardiac death. Those were moments that stayed with me. They were intense, but also incredibly motivating, and made me want to understand the “why” behind what we were seeing.
That curiosity led me into cardiovascular research as a medical student, and eventually into working with athletes. Seeing how the heart adapts to extreme physical demands was fascinating and challenging, especially when trying to distinguish what’s normal from what’s not.
Around that time, I was introduced to cardiovascular MR imaging, and that really changed things for me. The ability to noninvasively look at tissue and understand disease in such detail felt almost like solving a puzzle. That experience ultimately led me to pursue a PhD in cardiac MRI and set me on the path toward cardiology and advanced imaging.
Why did you choose Yale for your fellowship?
Yale offered an exceptional combination of strong clinical training and a highly supportive research environment.
What stood out most was the people. I had the chance to learn from mentors like Drs. Attila Feher, Edward Miller, Albert Sinusas, and Lauren Baldassarre, and it was clear how invested they are in teaching and mentorship. The entire imaging group has this collaborative, welcoming culture that makes you want to be part of it.
Yale also really supports fellows who want to grow as physician-scientists, which was important to me. It felt like a place where I could both learn and contribute—and continue building the kind of career I’m excited about.
What has been one of your career highlights so far?
I’m deeply interested in how we can use advanced cardiovascular imaging—especially cardiac MRI and nuclear cardiology—to detect disease earlier and improve risk prediction, particularly in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases, which is also the focus of my research.
One of the highlights of my training has been the opportunity to compete in the Young Investigator Award session at the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR) and to present in the upcoming Avijit Lahiri Young Investigator Awards Competition of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC).
I’ve also been fortunate to participate in leadership development initiatives, including the ASNC Future Leaders program and serving on the SCMR Early Career Steering Group. These experiences have been especially meaningful in shaping my growth within the field. More than anything, they have reinforced that the questions we are working on matter, and that there is a community equally passionate about advancing cardiovascular imaging.
What's a fun fact about you?
I love exploring new countries, both professionally and for leisure. I’ve had the opportunity to study medicine across three countries, including completing my final-year clinical rotations in Budapest, Berlin, and New York State. This global experience has enriched both my clinical approach and my appreciation for diverse health care systems.
Outside of work, I enjoy traveling with my partner and have visited over 35 countries so far—usually planning trips around nature, local food, and culture. I think that sense of curiosity carries through everything, whether it’s exploring new places, cultures, or questions in medicine.