Winette van der Graaf

Winette van der Graaf is a Full Professor at Erasmus MC in the Department of Radiotherapy, where she leads impactful research in oncology, particularly in connective tissue cancers and quality of life for cancer patients. Her work bridges clinical practice, regulatory science, and digital health innovation.

Her research focuses on soft tissue sarcomas, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, aggressive fibromatosis, and the unique challenges faced by adolescents and young adults with cancer. She explores the integration of patient-reported outcomes and quality of life data into cancer treatment and regulatory frameworks, advocating for patient-centered care.

Recent publications highlight her leadership in pragmatic clinical trials, whole-genome sequencing applications, and the development of digital platforms like the STRONG AYA Information Portal using federated learning. These works emphasize innovation in data sharing and real-world clinical implementation.

She received the Nina Axelrad Award in 2022 for her contributions to oncology and connective tissue cancer research. Her work has been recognized in major journals and collaborative international workshops.

She has supervised multiple academic projects, contributing to the training of future oncology researchers. Her involvement in large-scale collaborative research, including with EORTC and EMA, underscores her leadership in shaping cancer research policy and practice across Europe.

Dr. van der Graaf is actively engaged in research networks focusing on adolescent and young adult oncology, digital health, and clinical trial methodology, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to improve cancer care delivery and outcomes.