Eleonora Grandi
University of California, Davis
Editor, Channels, Transporters, and
Receptors
Biophysical Journal

What are you currently working on that excites you?

My research focuses on uncovering the fundamental processes that govern the heartbeat and understanding how these processes vary across populations. A central question that we explore is why individuals of different sexes experience heart rhythm disorders differently. To investigate this, my team builds biophysical computer models that replicate how heart cells behave. These models allow us to study the electrical activity of the heart and its response to therapies in ways that are difficult to achieve through experiments alone.

These tools help build a stronger mechanistic foundation for therapies and translate findings across sexes, with the goal of supporting more inclusive and effective approaches to preventing and treating arrhythmias. Ultimately, we aim to advance precision medicine strategies that account for biological variability, leading to better outcomes for all patients.

In addition to research, I’m deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of scientists. Helping students and trainees develop their own questions, sharpen their thinking, and grow into confident contributors to science is a true privilege and one of the most rewarding parts of my work.

What has been your biggest “aha” moment in science?

One of the most enlightening aspects of my work is when the models produce unexpected or counterintuitive results, or the wrong results! These moments often signal that there is something we do not yet fully understand and point us toward overlooked mechanisms or assumptions that need to be reexamined. On these occasions, the models become not just predictive tools, but powerful methods for discovery.