Belend Mahmoud received his medical degree from the university of Groningen in March 2021. Having developed an interest in clinical research during his studies, he continued as a PhD candidate at the department of cardiology at the UMCG. He focuses on clinical research regarding metabolic stressors in cardiomyopathies, under the supervision of prof. dr. Rudolf de Boer and dr. Daan Westenbrink. He is part of the DCVA Double Dose consortium where he collaborates with PhD students from other universities on the topic of cardiomyopathies.