Daphne Merkus holds a dual appointment as Professor of Large Animal models for Translational Cardiovascular Research at the Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich, Germany and as Professor of Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology at the Erasmus MC in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Her research focuses on the role of microvascular dysfunction in the development and progression of cardiopulmonary disease, including pulmonary hypertension, HFpEF and pre-eclampsia. Her research group has developed and characterized several swine models of cardiopulmonary disease, but also works with biobanked human tissue. Daphne identifies herself as Physiologist and a team player, is an active member of the International committee of the Cardiovascular Section of the American Physiological Society, and likes to connect different research groups and disciplines.