Marca Wauben

Prof. Marca Wauben is a Professor of Intercellular Communication at the Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University. She heads the research group Intercellular Communication and is one of the leaders of Future Food Utrecht initiative.

Education and Career:

• Studied Biology at Utrecht University
• PhD (cum laude) in 1993 from Utrecht University, Department of Infectious Diseases & Immunology
• Postdoctoral training at Utrecht University and University of California San Diego
• Fellow of the Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences of the Netherlands (1997-2002)
• Associate professor at Utrecht University (2001-2004) and Leiden University Medical Center (2004-2006)
• Moved to Utrecht University in 2006
• Became full professor of Intercellular Communication in 2011

Research Interests:

Prof. Wauben's research focuses on extracellular vesicles (exosomes, microvesicles) as key messengers in intercellular communication, particularly in immune system regulation. Her work employs proteomics, genomics and lipidomics approaches, including a high-resolution flow cytometry method developed by her group for analyzing nano-sized vesicles. Current research identifies immune-regulatory vesicles in body fluids (breast milk, blood), investigates their cargo selection mechanisms, and explores clinical applications as biomarkers and nano-carriers.

Professional Activities:

• Vice-chair of EU COST Action BM1202 'Microvesicles and exosomes in health & disease' (2012)
• Executive Chief Science and meetings of International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV)
• President of Local Organizing Committee ISEV2014 (Rotterdam)
• Associate editor of Journal of Extracellular Vesicles
• Member of Board of Examiners Life Sciences Utrecht University

Awards:

• Fellow of the Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences of the Netherlands (1997-2002)

Teaching:

Involved in Veterinary Professional levels 2 and 3 courses at Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.