Find Academic Supervisors

Dr. A.R. (Rob) den Otter is an Assistant Professor at the Center for Human Movement Sciences within the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of Groningen. His research focuses on neurosciences and experimental rehabilitation, particularly investigating action choices in gait, balance control mechanisms, and the role of visual and non-visual sensory information in movement adaptation. He holds a teaching position, supervising bachelor and master students in research projects and courses like 'Statistiek 3' and 'Experimenteel Onderzoek.' Research Interests: Action selection in gait and spatial orientation Role of retinal and extraretinal information in balance control Effects of aging on gait adaptation and sensory integration Optic flow perturbation and its impact on locomotor responses Awards: 2010: Lecturer of the Year, Center for Human Movement Sciences 2010: Lecturer of the Year, University Medical Centre Groningen 2011: University of Groningen Lecturer of the Year (Jury and Audience Awards) Teaching & Advising: Rob teaches biomechanics and experimental research methods, advising students on projects at the intersection of motor control and rehabilitation science. His work often involves collaborations with clinical partners in the UMCG. Labs/Teams: Active in the Center for Human Movement Sciences, focusing on interdisciplinary studies of human movement physiology and aging.

• Neurosciences
• Psychology
• Experimental Rehabilitation
• +6 more

Dr. Nadia Dominici is an Associate Professor at the Department of Human Movement Sciences in the Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. She has additional affiliations with IBBA and AMS - Rehabilitation & Development. Her research focuses on neural control mechanisms of human and animal locomotion, motor development, and neurorehabilitation. She holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Rome 'Tor Vergata' (2006) and a Physics degree from the University of Rome 'La Sapienza' (2001). Dominici has received prestigious grants including the ERC Starting Grant (2016), NWO Aspasia Grant (2015), and NWO Vidi Grant (2015). She was awarded the Suzanne Klein-Vogelbach Prize (2013) and the IgNobel Prize in Physics (2013) for her work on lunar running feasibility. She also serves as an Associate Editor for Frontiers in Human Neuroscience since 2014. Her research interests encompass advanced statistical analysis of motor patterns, neural control of human locomotion, motor development in children and adults, proprioceptive control mechanisms, gravitational physiology, and experimental neurorehabilitation in animal models. She investigates biomechanical adaptations during walking and running, particularly in populations with cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, and aging. Dominici's work bridges neuroscience, biomechanics, and robotics to understand how neural systems coordinate complex movements and adapt to environmental challenges. She has pioneered markerless gait analysis techniques and explored the neural origins of locomotor primitives in toddlers and adults. Her research projects include the ERC-funded Learn2Walk (2017–2022), which examines neural-spinal interactions in toddler gait development, and the NWO-backed FirSteps (2015–2021), investigating walking emergence in children. She also leads the Transformative Appropriation for a Meaningful Understanding of Cultural Heritage project (2024–2027). Dominici's work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to good health and well-being through innovations in neurorehabilitation and motor control understanding.

• Neural Control of Human Locomotion
• Motor Control
• Biomechanics
• +9 more

Professor Anton Scheurink is a leading academic in Neuroendocrinology at the University of Groningen, Faculty of Science and Engineering. His research focuses on neural regulation of energy balance, Type 2 Diabetes, obesity, and Anorexia Nervosa. He holds a PhD in animal physiology from the University of Groningen and completed postdoctoral research in the U.S. before returning to Groningen in 2011. Scheurink's work bridges clinical and basic science, with notable contributions to understanding the neurobiology of eating disorders and metabolic diseases. Education: PhD in Animal Physiology (University of Groningen), Postdoc at U.S. institutions Affiliations: Chair of the Admission Board for the Master's in Biomedical Sciences, Scheurink Lab - Neuroendocrinology Research Interests: Neural mechanisms underlying energy homeostasis, hormonal regulation of appetite, and translational studies on metabolic disorders. Key projects include modeling Anorexia Nervosa, investigating ghrelin's role, and evaluating lifestyle interventions for obesity. Publications & Grants: Over 146 peer-reviewed articles, including high-impact reviews on stress and eating. Active in securing grants for projects like TI Pharma's DIWA initiative and CCC's carbohydrate absorption studies. Holds patents on nutritional compositions for managing body weight and inflammation. Awards: UG Teacher of the Year (2014), Boyd O’Dell Award (2011), multiple Faculty Teaching Awards Teaching: Courses in Physiology, Neuroscience, and Behavioral Neurosciences, with a focus on integrating theory and clinical practice Labs/Teams: Leads the Scheurink Lab, collaborating internationally on metabolic and neuroendocrine research Media Engagement: Regular contributor to science communication, including appearances on Dutch radio (Het Klokhuis) and podcasts discussing obesity, exercise motivation, and eating behaviors.

• Neuroendocrinology
• Energy Balance
• Type 2 Diabetes
• +5 more

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.

• Equine Surgery
• Equine Orthopedics
• Locomotor Physiology
• +3 more

Dr. A.J.M. (AJ) van den Belt is a Visiting Researcher at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , Utrecht University , specializing in Clinical Sciences . With a focus on Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging , their work integrates Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) , Computed Tomography (CT) , and Radiology to address equine musculoskeletal and respiratory disorders. Research interests include: Equine lameness and foot asymmetry Diagnostic imaging techniques for cervical spine and navicular bone Osteochondrosis in Warmblood foals Neuromuscular and locomotor disorders Clinical assessment of competitive fitness in horses Publications span 2001–2020 , emphasizing horse musculoskeletal health , respiratory disease , and oncological conditions . Key activities involve advising in legal proceedings and participating in international conferences like the International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology and World Equine Veterinary Association Congress . They hold accreditation as an EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging .

• Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
• Equine Medicine
• Musculoskeletal Disorders in Horses
• +3 more

Huub Maas is an Associate Professor at the Department of Human Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He holds affiliations with Amsterdam Neuroscience (Neurovascular Disorders), AMS - Musculoskeletal Health, and AMS - Tissue Function & Regeneration. He earned his M.Sc. (1999) and Ph.D. (2003, Cum Laude) in Human Movement Sciences from VU Amsterdam, followed by postdoctoral fellowships at Georgia Institute of Technology and Northwestern University. His research focuses on interactions between musculoskeletal and neural systems during movement, employing biomechanical and neurophysiological methods with animal and human models. Key projects include studying interhemispheric brain interactions post-stroke, neuromechanics of low back pain, hamstring architecture, and stretching protocols for contractures. Collaborators include Prof. Rick Dijkhuizen (Utrecht), Prof. Jia Han (Shanghai), and Prof. Yasuo Kawakami (Waseda). He supervises PhD theses, teaches courses like 'Animal Experiments for Human Movement Sciences,' and leads projects funded by MOVE-AGE (EU). Research trends emphasize muscle-tendon mechanics, neural adaptations post-injury, and translational studies for clinical applications. His work contributes to Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being. Current grants explore stroke recovery, low back pain mechanisms, and contracture interventions. Education: M.Sc. Human Movement Sciences, VU Amsterdam (1999) Ph.D. Human Movement Sciences, VU Amsterdam (2003, Cum Laude) Advising: Supervised 7 PhD theses, including Arjun Paudyal's work on stroke-induced neuromechanical changes. Labs/Teams: Active in interdisciplinary groups at Amsterdam Neuroscience and AMS research centers.

• Biomechanics
• Neural Control of Movement
• Musculoskeletal Systems
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. Andreas Daffertshofer is a Full Professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam), holding concurrent roles in the Neurocontrol department under the Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, as well as in IBBA, AMS - Ageing & Vitality, and AMS - Rehabilitation & Development. His research focuses on neural mechanisms underlying motor control, gait dynamics, and neuromuscular coordination, with interdisciplinary applications in clinical neurology and developmental disorders. Research interests include cortical contributions to locomotion, phase synchronization in neural networks, and the application of machine learning to neuromuscular assessment. Notable work addresses gait stability, muscle synergies, and the neurophysiological basis of movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and cerebral palsy. He has supervised 23 PhD theses, contributing to training the next generation of movement science researchers. His publications span over 230 peer-reviewed articles, exploring topics like EEG source localization, neural mass modeling, and the impact of caffeine on neurological function. Ongoing projects investigate aging-related changes in sensorimotor learning and the role of visual feedback in postural control among neurological patients. Collaborative work includes interdisciplinary projects with the Amsterdam Movement Sciences (AMS) research center and the International Brain and Behaviour Alliance (IBBA), emphasizing translational research to improve clinical outcomes in rehabilitation.

• Neuroscience
• Motor Control
• Biomechanics
• +3 more