 An anatomist by specialty, Popa worked on popularizing modern science, reforming the medical and higher education systems, and, in war hospitals, as a decorated and publicly acclaimed practitioner.His work in endocrinology and neuromorphology was valued abroad, while at home he helped train a generation of leading doctors.Ill-treated by successive fascist dictatorships, Popa adhered to moderate left-wing ideals and publicized them by means of his review, "Însemnări Ieșene".