Madeleine Brouns

Dr. Madeleine Brouns is a Lecturer and Program Coordinator of the BSc Program Gezondheid en Leven at the Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit. She holds a PhD from Utrecht University (1999) and completed postdoctoral work at Maastricht University until 2008. Her research focuses on developmental biology, signal transduction, and neurobiology, particularly the genetic causes of neural tube closure defects. She developed a mouse model for exencephaly during her PhD and identified genes linked to spina bifida using a VENI grant from NWO. At VU, she contributed to the EU DENAMIC project studying neurotoxic effects on zebrafish development.

• Education:
• PhD in Biology, Utrecht University (1999)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Maastricht University (until 2008)

Research Interests: Genetic mechanisms underlying neural tube defects, neurotoxic compound effects, and developmental biology. She employs genetic approaches (reverse/forward) and animal models (mice, zebrafish) to study neural development and congenital disorders.

Teaching: Courses include 'Humane levenscyclus 1', 'Humane ontwikkeling', and thesis supervision.

• Awards: VENI grant from NWO (2003-2007)

Grants & Projects: Participated in the EU-funded DENAMIC project on neurotoxicity and developmental effects. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and environmental sustainability.