Fellow Focus in Four will introduce you to fellows from each section of the Department of Internal Medicine. This month's fellow is Miruna Carnaru, MD, fellow, Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology
Why did you choose medicine?
I always preferred the sciences, biology in particular. I found that medicine is the most interesting and complex application of biology. Physiology and pathology are only the beginning as patients rarely “read the textbook” and present with classic manifestations of disease. By integrating each patient’s unique findings, exposures, and environment, the science of medicine evolves into an art.
Why did you choose Yale Department of Internal Medicine for your fellowship?
I chose a fellowship in Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology because it is a combined section, and I felt that rheumatology training would not be complete without a solid understanding of immunology. Also, many diverse research opportunities are available to fellows as a result of this union.
What was your path to Yale?
Before Yale, I completed my residency training in internal medicine at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey, medical school training at State University of New York Upstate Medical University, and undergraduate training at New York University. I have hit all the stops on my tri-state area tour!
What’s a fun fact about you?
I have a minor in music, having learned to read music in college (including medieval scores) with no prior training or the ability to play an instrument.
BONUS: What is your 5-year goal? 10-year? Overall career?
I hope to become a physician-scientist in the field of rheumatology and systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). Patients with systemic sclerosis have a high disease morbidity and mortality, and are in great need of new therapeutics, specifically anti-fibrotic treatments. My current research includes exploring anti-fibrotic therapeutic targets, and I plan to continue this and similar work in the future.