Lieuwke Kranenburg is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , Utrecht University , specializing in Equine Internal Medicine . She provides patient care at the University Equine Clinic and teaches Master's courses in equine digestion , infectious diseases , and skin problems . Research Focus: Equine internal medicine, digestive diseases, infectious pathogens, metabolic disorders Professional Certifications: EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine International Collaboration: Trained Chinese veterinarians at Heilan Equestrian Centre Publications highlight her work on equine gastric disease management, diagnostic imaging, infectious disease epidemiology, and metabolic research. She contributes to equine clinical research through peer-reviewed journals and conference abstracts. Professional Involvement: Former board member of the Equine Medicine Group and current GGP representative for FEEVA, maintaining professional networks and advancing equine veterinary practice.
Dr. Machteld van Dierendonck is a Junior Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , Utrecht University , specializing in Animal Welfare and Clinical Ethology within the Animals in Science and Society program. She serves as a Visiting Professor at both Ghent University and University of Antwerp in Belgium. Research Focus : Animal Welfare Clinical Ethology Equine Behavior Pain Assessment Development of Abnormal Behavior Social Behavior in Horses Key Publications : Over 30 peer-reviewed articles on equine pain scales, behavior, and welfare, including 2011's Applied Animal Behaviour Science review on social coping in horses and 2015's Veterinary Journal study on visceral pain scales. Accreditations : Board-certified associate of the European College for Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine (ECAWBM) in (Equine) Veterinary Behaviour and Animal Welfare Science-Ethics-Law. Additional Roles : Co-founder of Stichting Certipet (certifying animal behavior therapists) and founding member of the International Society of Equitation Science (ISES) , where she chaired the 2011 conference scientific committee. International Experience : Conducted fieldwork in Mongolia (Przewalski’s horse reintroduction), Sweden, Italy, Iceland, and Belgium.
Dr. Deborah van Doorn is an Assistant Professor at Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, where she is affiliated with the Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences (Infectious Diseases & Immunology division). Her office is located in the Androclus building (Yalelaan 1, Utrecht), and she can be contacted via email at d.c.k.vandoorn@uu.nl or phone at +31 30 253 1467. She serves as Education Coordinator for the Infectious Diseases and Immunology division and contributes to both Bachelor's and Master's programs in Veterinary Medicine. Her research focuses on veterinary parasitology and epidemiology, with specific expertise in: Parasitic infections of ruminants and horses Anthelmintic resistance mechanisms Epidemiology of livestock diseases Veterinary microbiology Parasite control strategies Diagnostic monitoring of helminth infections She maintains active collaborations with the R&D department of Royal GD and serves on the Committee for the Authorisation of Veterinary Medicines. Dr. van Doorn's publications predominantly address veterinary parasitology, with recent work focusing on equine anthelmintic guidelines, parasite resistance patterns, and diagnostic methods. Her research demonstrates a consistent emphasis on translating laboratory findings into practical veterinary applications, particularly regarding parasite management in livestock. She maintains active international collaborations, evidenced by multinational studies across European countries.
Estefania Lozano Andres is an Assistant Professor at Utrecht University's Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine). She specializes in Extracellular Vesicles and Flow Cytometry , focusing on their applications in biomarker discovery, immunology, and molecular biology. Key Expertise: Flow Cytometry, Extracellular Vesicle Analysis, Molecular Biology Research Themes: Life Sciences Research Focus: Her work investigates the fundamental properties of extracellular vesicles (EVs), including their role in intercellular communication, disease progression, and diagnostic applications. She develops advanced flow cytometry methodologies for EV characterization and contributes to standardization frameworks like MIFlowCyt-EV. Scientific Leadership: She manages Utrecht's Center for Flow Cytometry and FACS (CFC), advancing high-dimensional analysis and panel design. Her awards include multiple international travel grants (2019-2022) and mobility fellowships from Autonomous University of Madrid. Recent Publications: Over 15 articles (2019-2025) address: EV-biomarker relationships in equine osteoarthritis Fluorescence calibration challenges in nanoparticle analysis EV-lipoprotein interactions CRISPR/Cas9-based antiviral discoveries Collaborations: Active in global EV research networks, including the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles. Her work intersects with UN Sustainable Development Goals for health innovations.
Professor Remco Veltkamp holds a faculty position at Utrecht University's Faculty of Science with a focus on Game and Media Technology . As Scientific Director of AI Labs and coordinator of the Utrecht Center for Game Research , his work bridges serious games, virtual reality, and human-centered AI applications. He leads the Dynamics of Youth Hub 'Healthy Play, Better Coping' exploring gaming's role in pediatric chronic illness management. Academic leadership in gaming technology Director of Utrecht's AI Labs Founder of Serious Game Society Editor of International Journal of Serious Games Research spans game design, AR/VR interaction, 3D object recognition, and multimedia systems with applications in: Healthcare gamification Energy conservation Bioinformatics Social behavior analysis Computer vision Recent work includes: 2025: Developing fatigue management therapy games 2024: Analyzing protest dynamics through social media 2023: Creating equine pain assessment systems 2022: Gamification in food sustainability As educator, he teaches Game Programming and Small Project Game and Media Technology , while pioneering applications of gaming in healthcare and education sectors.
Nienke Endenburg is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , Utrecht University, Netherlands. She works within the Department of Population Health Sciences , focusing on the Human-Animal Bond , Animal Welfare , and Veterinary Behavioral Medicine . Her career spans over 30 years, with roles in research, teaching, and clinical practice. Specializes in Human-Animal Interaction and Companion Animal Welfare Teaches Child Development , Animal-Assisted Interventions , and Grief Counseling in Germany since 2001 Co-founder of the Certipet Foundation (2010) and member of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (2011) Active in Veterinary Forensic Expertise and Animal Welfare Policy globally Her research explores the psychological impact of companion animals on children , animal abuse and domestic violence links , and stress physiology in service animals . Key methodologies include longitudinal studies, physiological measurements (e.g., cortisol), and cross-cultural surveys. Notable recent publications address global veterinary education trends , service dog efficacy for PTSD , and forensic animal abuse indicators . She contributes to WSAVA guidelines on animal welfare and professional wellness.
Dr. Guillaume (Guy) Cornelis Maria Grinwis is an Associate Professor in Veterinary Pathology at Utrecht University's Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. He has been appointed at the Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Centre (VPDC) in Utrecht since 1990, where he plays a leading role in diagnostic services and post-graduate training. Dr. Grinwis specializes in veterinary pathology with particular expertise in histopathology, liver pathology, ocular pathology, veterinary pathology, and forensic animal pathology. His research interests focus on regenerative medicine and stem cell applications in liver disease, pathologies of the intervertebral disc, and tumors of endocrine organs. He has been involved in numerous research projects within the strategic theme of Life Sciences, particularly in Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells. His recent scholarly output demonstrates significant contributions across diverse areas of veterinary pathology, with emphasis on canine endocrine disorders, spinal pathologies, and innovative surgical techniques. Dr. Grinwis has published extensively in high-impact veterinary journals, with recent work spanning from 2023-2025 on topics including intervertebral disc degeneration, novel organoid models for adrenal disease, and breed-specific inflammatory myopathies. As an educator, Dr. Grinwis is deeply involved in teaching veterinary students and supervising post-graduate residents in veterinary pathology and clinical veterinary sciences including internal medicine, oncology, and ophthalmology. He also regularly performs forensic autopsies on various animal species as assigned by public prosecutors. His professional activities include serving as Supervisor of the Committee for the Registration of Laboratory Animals and Toxicological Pathologists (CRP/TP) and Secretary of the Dutch College of Veterinary Pathologists (NCVP), demonstrating his leadership within the veterinary pathology community.
Dr. Ellen Roelfsema is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University , specializing in Equine Internal Medicine . She combines clinical practice at the University Clinic for Horses with teaching and research. Her career spans since her 2007 PhD on stress adaptations in horses, with residency in Equine Internal Medicine (2000–2006) and diplomate status in the European College of Equine Internal Medicine (ECEIM) since 2012. Education : DVM (1999) and PhD (2007) from Utrecht University Research interests focus on endocrinological and metabolic disorders (EMS, PPID), laminitis , equine exercise physiology , and digestive system diseases . Her work explores dietary impacts on reproduction, insulin resistance, and biomechanical interventions for obese ponies. Publications highlight trends in equine endocrinology , metabolic syndrome , and ultrasound-based diagnostics . She collaborates on consensus guidelines for metabolic disorders and contributes to overtraining biomarkers and neonatal endocrinology . Teaching includes courses on Equine Metabolism , Endocrinology , and Donkey Health . She supervises Bachelor and Master students in clinical rotations and research projects.
Dr. Joris Wijnker is a Researcher at Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, specifically within the Department of Population Health Sciences at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS). He holds a PhD earned in 2009 and is registered as a Specialist Veterinary Public Health (RDVA) since that year. In addition to his academic role, Dr. Wijnker serves in the Royal Netherlands Army as brigade-veterinarian with the Operational Support Command Land and with the NATO C2 Centre of Excellence, reflecting his dual expertise in veterinary medicine and military applications. His research interests span Veterinary Public Health, Veterinary Microbiology, Risk Assessment, Crisis Management, Animal Welfare, Civilian-Military Relations, and Academic Veterinary Education. Dr. Wijnker has established himself as a specialist in natural sausage casing safety, viral inactivation in food production, and the application of assistance dogs for veterans with PTSD. His work bridges veterinary science with public health concerns, particularly in emergency situations and military contexts. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a clear progression from fundamental food safety research on viral inactivation in natural casings toward more applied crisis management and human-animal interaction studies. His work has evolved to include animal triage protocols for disasters, military health applications, and the therapeutic use of assistance dogs for veterans with PTSD. This demonstrates his ability to translate veterinary science into practical applications across multiple domains including food safety, disaster response, and mental health support. Dr. Wijnker chairs the Animal Disaster Education (ADE) Foundation, which trains first responders in animal emergency care, and he initiated the V-PWR project focusing on assistance dogs for veterans with PTSD. He also operates VPH Consultancy, extending his expertise to practical applications beyond academia. His work demonstrates significant crossover between veterinary medicine, public health, military applications, and disaster preparedness, with increasing emphasis on the human-animal bond in therapeutic contexts in recent years.
Dr. Louis Penning is an Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, specializing in Internal Medicine of Companion Animals at Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. He focuses on regenerative medicine, particularly using organoid technologies to address gastrointestinal and liver diseases in animals, with translational applications to human medicine. His work bridges molecular biology and clinical practice, emphasizing collaboration between researchers and clinicians to advance veterinary care. Education Background: Penning transitioned from human molecular biology research (immunology, endocrinology, cardiology) to veterinary medicine, capitalizing on the under-explored potential of molecular diagnostics and therapies in animals. Research Themes: Regenerative medicine, organoid development (e.g., liver, pancreatic, bile duct organoids), and copper metabolism disorders in dogs. Key projects include modeling canine liver diseases using organoids and exploring cell-based therapies for diabetes. Publications highlight advancements in organoid culture techniques, liver progenitor cell activation, and biomarker discovery for hepatic conditions. Awards include the 2010 NVH Science Retreat prize for innovative liver repair proposals. Labs/Teams: Leads projects in the Helpdesk Regenerative Medicine initiative, collaborating with clinicians and molecular biologists to ensure animal health remains central to research. Active in editorial roles for journals like BMC Veterinary Research and BMC Molecular Biology.
Dr. Tijn J.P. Spoormakers is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University. He specializes in Equine Surgery and Orthopedics with a particular focus on equine back research. His educational background includes: Graduated from Utrecht University in 1998 Became an EBVS European Specialist in Equine Surgery in 2003 Completed his PhD on equine back research in 2024 Dr. Spoormakers' research primarily focuses on gaining objectivity in equine locomotor physiology and pathology, particularly in the challenging area of equine back assessment. His work aims to establish an evidence-based approach for diagnoses and treatments in equine orthopedics. He has made significant contributions to understanding anatomical and pathological variations between different horse breeds, including warmblood horses, Shetland ponies, and Konik horses. His research also investigates the effects of front and hindlimb lameness on back movement and muscle activity. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward objective measurement techniques in equine medicine, particularly using surface electromyography (sEMG) and kinematic analysis to improve diagnostic accuracy. His work bridges clinical practice with scientific research to enhance evidence-based veterinary care. Scientific recognition includes: EBVS European Specialist in Equine Surgery Certified by the International Society Equine Locomotor Pathology (ISELP) Certified by the Equine Gait Analysis Society (EGAS) Dr. Spoormakers combines clinical work in equine orthopedics and surgery with research and teaching responsibilities. His current research group is exploring the movement of the equine back further with objective sensor-based systems, with the goal of making back examinations more objective and accessible in field conditions beyond specialized research facilities.
Dr. Stefanie Veraa is an Associate Professor at Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences. She serves as head of the division of Diagnostic Imaging at the University Clinic Utrecht since 2020 and is a certified EBVS European Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging. Her work integrates clinical practice, teaching, and research in veterinary diagnostic imaging with a special focus on equine medicine. Dr. Veraa completed her PhD with research on "Imaging of the equine neck; with a focus on Intervertebral Disc and Anatomic Variations." She currently serves as Program Director of the ECVDI residency program at Utrecht University and is a member of both the Veterinary Faculty Master admission committee and the Image Community of Utrecht University. Her research primarily focuses on veterinary diagnostic imaging, with particular expertise in equine medicine. Her work spans multiple imaging modalities including computed tomography, ultrasound, and other diagnostic techniques applied to both companion animals and equines. Her research interests include vertebral pathology, intervertebral disc disorders, neuromuscular physiology, and ocular imaging in horses. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on comparative anatomy and pathology, particularly in equine and canine subjects. She has made significant contributions to understanding vertebral pathologies, imaging techniques for equine eyes, and the application of diagnostic imaging in veterinary forensics. Her work bridges clinical practice with academic research to advance patient care for both animals and, through comparative medicine, humans. Dr. Veraa is actively involved in professional consultation for judicial procedures related to animal welfare and veterinary matters, demonstrating her expertise beyond academic settings. As an educator, she teaches veterinary students and supervises specialists in training (residents and interns) as part of the large team of veterinary specialists at the University Clinic. She works alongside veterinary diagnostic imaging specialists, technicians, animal care takers, and administrative staff to provide comprehensive patient care, teaching, and research.
Dr. Inge Wijnberg is an Assistant Professor at Utrecht University’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Equine Sciences, since 2003. She holds a 20% part-time position at Utrecht University while working full-time as a Senior Advisor in (micro)biology, infectious diseases, and bioterrorism for the Netherlands Ministry of Defence since September 2016. Her expertise spans equine cardiology, neurology, neonatology, and infectious diseases, with a focus on EMG diagnostics, CBRN biodetection, and veterinary education. She has coordinated the Neonatal Foal Intensive Care Unit (1996–2016) and chaired educational committees at Utrecht. Education: PhD in Veterinary Medicine (2002, Utrecht University) De facto Specialist, European College of Equine Internal Medicine (2004) Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine with additional certificates from the USA (1987) Her research initiatives include projects on equine cardiac markers, telemetric EEG, and CBRN diagnostics. She has collaborated internationally with institutions like the University of Pennsylvania, University of Bern, and NATO panels. She is Chief Specialty Editor for Frontiers in Veterinary Medicine and has supervised three PhD projects. Scientific Awards: EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine She has initiated and managed 15+ research projects, including fieldable COVID-19 diagnostics and Botox® applications for equine laminitis. Her work involves partnerships with TNO, RIVM, and NATO, focusing on biosecurity and military working animals.
Dr. Rosa Houben is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , Utrecht University , specializing in Equine Sciences within the Department of Clinical Sciences . Her research focuses on infectious disease epidemiology in horses, particularly Streptococcus equi and equine herpesvirus , combining mathematical modeling with clinical applications. Key Research Areas: Infectious disease transmission dynamics Equine cardiology and critical care Vaccination strategies Diagnostic serology Mitochondrial physiology Scientific Contributions include publications on disease modeling, vaccination efficacy, and diagnostic techniques. Her 2024 doctoral thesis examined tipping points in equine pathogen transmission. Awards: EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine
Anne Kummeling is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, specializing in Companion Animal Surgery. She is recognized as an EBVS European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery, indicating her advanced expertise in this field. Dr. Kummeling teaches courses including Companion Animal Surgery 1, GD Surgery 2, and Soft Tissue Surgery. Her research focuses primarily on portosystemic shunts in dogs and other companion animals, with extensive work on surgical techniques, outcomes, and complications. She has published numerous articles on hepatic surgery, urinary tract surgery, and innovative surgical approaches for vascular anomalies. Her work spans both clinical applications and molecular research, including gene expression studies related to surgical outcomes. Dr. Kummeling's publication record shows consistent research activity from 1998 through 2025, with recent work examining prognostic factors for surgical outcomes, innovative surgical techniques, and molecular predictors of recovery. Her research demonstrates a strong focus on improving surgical outcomes for companion animals through evidence-based approaches. Among her notable scientific achievements is her certification as an EBVS European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery, which represents a significant professional accomplishment requiring extensive training and examination. Dr. Kummeling has been involved in collaborative research with numerous colleagues across veterinary medicine, contributing to advancements in surgical techniques and understanding of surgical complications. Her work has been published in leading veterinary journals including Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Veterinary Surgery, and PLoS One.
