Professor Cotofana's journey into the world of medicine began with a fervent pursuit of knowledge. He studied medicine in Munich Germany and followed his passion for surgery into medical residency in Trauma Surgery, which laid the foundation for his multidimensional expertise. A transition to anatomic basic sciences and research marked a pivotal moment in his career, leading to the attainment of two Ph.D. degrees. The first Ph.D. degree in Medical Sciences from Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich, Germany, and the second Ph.D. degree in Anatomy from Paracelsus Medical University in Salzburg, Austria, achieved in 2015.

Professor Cotofana commenced his exploration into the intricate world of anatomy as an Associate Professor of Anatomy at Ross University School of Medicine. His insatiable curiosity and dedication to detailed anatomic research quickly propelled him to New York's Albany Medical College in 2017. The Mayo Clinic of Medicine and Science in Rochester, Minnesota, recognized his exceptional contributions, granting him a Full Professorship in the esteemed Department of Clinical Anatomy in 2023. 

Professor Cotofana's influence extends with multiple honorary professorships at Queen Mary University in London, England, Pirogov University in Moscow, Russia, and in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, China.

He also holds visiting professorships at the University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia, and is an esteemed member of the Department of Dermatology at Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and the Centre for Cutaneous Research at Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom.

As a dedicated educator, Professor Cotofana shares his wealth of knowledge by teaching basic and clinically applied anatomy to allied healthcare professionals worldwide. His impact is not limited to the lecture hall but extends to mentoring the next generation of medical professionals and researchers, instilling a deep understanding of applied clinical and functional anatomy, particularly in the realm of facial aesthetics.

Professor Cotofana's contributions to scientific literature include over 250 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and online communications.