M.J.H. Witjes

Prof. M.J.H. Witjes is a Professor and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Medical Sciences, affiliated with the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). His research focuses on surgical innovations in head and neck oncology, implant design, and molecular imaging techniques for cancer diagnosis. He leads projects in 3D surgical planning, radiation-induced tissue complications, and fluorescence-guided surgery. Witjes collaborates with international teams on consensus guidelines for osteoradionecrosis and develops large-scale medical imaging datasets like MedShapeNet.

His work bridges clinical practice and translational research, emphasizing personalized medicine and outcomes-based surgery. Over 231 publications and 17 supervised works highlight his contributions to maxillofacial surgery, radiation oncology, and surgical robotics. Active in multidisciplinary collaborations, he has pioneered patient-specific implant solutions and advanced imaging protocols for cancer margin assessment.

Research interests include mandibular reconstruction, masticatory muscle mechanics, and radiation therapy complications. His lab develops novel biomaterials (e.g., PEEK implants) and AI-driven tools for surgical precision. Witjes’ clinical focus on head and neck cancer combines surgical excellence with cutting-edge imaging and molecular diagnostics to improve patient outcomes and reduce treatment-related morbidity.