Faisal H. Cheema is a graduate of the Aga Khan University (AKU) Class of 2000. He took the road less traveled by and dedicated his entire career to research. At present, he is appointed as the Director of Research and Innovations in the Division of Cardiothoracic Transplantation and Circulatory Support at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX. Though he focuses on basic, translational and clinical aspects of research within cardiovascular sciences, he has a passion for device innovation. He loves to mentor students and young physicians.