Imran Ertugrul successfully completed the Bachelor medicine at the University of Groningen. During her Bachelor of Medicine, she engaged in research at the cardiology/cardiothoracic surgery department of the University Medical Center Groningen. During her masters she successfully applied for the MD/PhD program. In February 2022, she started working as MD/PhD candidate under supervision of prof. dr. van Goor, dr. Erasmus and dr. Westenbrink. Together, they investigate strategies to optimize donor heart preservation with focus on mitochondrial function. Their research includes pharmacological interventions during organ preservation and machine perfusion strategies.