Jef Verbeek

Jef Verbeek serves as an Assistant Professor at KU Leuven's Faculty of Medicine within the Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism. He is affiliated with the Hepatology Research Unit at UZ Leuven (University Hospital Leuven), where he conducts research on liver diseases with particular focus on alcohol-associated conditions and genetic disorders like alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. His institutional roles include membership in the Council of the Faculty of Medicine and the Council of the Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism as senior academic staff.

Verbeek's research primarily centers on alcohol-related liver disease mechanisms, transplantation outcomes, and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. His work explores immunological aspects of liver disease, particularly the role of B cells and immunoglobulins, alongside metabolic factors influencing disease progression. Current projects investigate precision dosing in transplant recipients and the impact of bariatric surgery on liver transplant outcomes. His research combines clinical studies with translational approaches to improve diagnostic methods and therapeutic strategies for complex liver conditions.

Analysis of Verbeek's recent publications (2024-2025) reveals a strong focus on alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (Pi*ZZ genotype) and alcohol-related liver disease. His work spans biomarker discovery, disease progression monitoring, and clinical management strategies. The publications demonstrate interdisciplinary collaboration across European institutions, with emphasis on longitudinal studies and real-world clinical data analysis. Key themes include immunological mechanisms, genetic influences on disease progression, and the intersection of metabolic factors with liver pathology.

Verbeek actively supervises multiple research projects as promotor, including:

• Dissecting the role of B cells and immunoglobulins in alcohol-associated liver disease (2024-2028)
• Model-informed precision dosing of tacrolimus in transplant recipients (2022-2027)
• Liver transplantation for alcohol-related liver disease (2021-2025)
• DICOTAH study on immune cells in alcoholic hepatitis (2020-2024)
• SARS-CoV-2 infection in transplant recipients (2020-2023)

His teaching responsibilities include multiple courses in gastroenterology and internal medicine at KU Leuven, such as 'Hot Topics in Gastroenterology' and various problem-solving modules in gastroenterology and internal medicine. These courses reflect his clinical expertise and research interests in digestive system disorders and liver diseases.