Rares earned his Bachelor and Masters degrees in Biology and Molecular Biotechnology, respectively from the Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in Medicine at the Iuliu Hatieganu University of Cluj-Napoca in the university's Research Center of Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine where he was first introduced to the area of non-coding RNAs in cancer. Under Prof. Calin, Rares is investigating the possible interactions between the long-noncoding RNA CCAT2 and mitochondria and its effect on metabolism in the context of colorectal carcinoma. Additionally, Rares has taken an interest in exosomes, specifically tumor-derived exosomes, and the composition and roles of their nucleic acid-based cargo components. Rares always enjoys a good laugh with his colleagues and in his free time he usually explores the city looking for landmarks and nice cafes.