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. Ed E. Moret is an Associate Professor of Computational Medicinal Chemistry at Utrecht University, where he serves as Managing Director of the Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences. He is a member of the Departmental Executive Board and Chair of the Board of Examiners of the School of Pharmacy. His academic career spans over three decades with significant contributions to pharmaceutical sciences. Utrecht University, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences School of Pharmacy, Department of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery Managing Director since January 2010 Dr. Moret's educational background includes completing Gymnasium-b at Gymnasium Camphusianum in Gorinchem in 1979, followed by pharmacy studies at Utrecht University until 1988. He earned his PhD in 1993 with research on calculations and simulations of DNA-alkylating cytostatics under supervision of Prof. L.H.M. Janssen and Prof. J.P.A.E. Tollenaere. He also conducted postdoctoral research at the Scripps Research Institute with Prof. A.J. Olson. His primary research interests focus on molecular recognition, particularly in auto-immune diseases, with expertise spanning computational medicinal chemistry, computer-aided drug discovery, cheminformatics, and bioinformatics. Dr. Moret's work bridges the gap between theoretical calculations and experimental validation in drug design. His research portfolio demonstrates a consistent trajectory from fundamental molecular interactions to applied drug discovery, with particular emphasis on enzyme inhibitors, carbohydrate-protein interactions, and molecular recognition processes. Analysis of his publication record reveals a strong focus on structure-based drug design, with significant contributions to the development of inhibitors for enzymes like β-glucocerebrosidase, NNMT, and neuraminidase. His work spans multiple therapeutic areas including lysosomal storage disorders, cancer metabolism, and infectious diseases. The interdisciplinary nature of his research is evident in the integration of computational approaches with experimental validation across biochemistry, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry. Teacher of the Year (awarded three times by Pharmacy students) Member of editorial boards for Medicines and Conceptuur journals Secretary of Board of FIGON (2016) Secretary of Raad voor de Farmaceutische Wetenschappen (2024) Member of Board of Stichting Farmaceutische Erfgoed (2024) Dr. Moret has been actively involved in educational innovation, developing and coordinating the master's programme Drug Innovation, the profile Drug Regulatory Sciences, and the Honours programme Pharmaceutical Sciences. He has taught courses for pharmacy, chemistry, UCU and medical sciences students, as well as PhD courses in bioinformatics and computer-aided drug discovery. His educational contributions include developing an inquiry-based elective course on drug discovery, for which he published educational research. He holds BKO and SKO teaching qualifications and participated in the Centre of Excellence in University Teaching program. As Managing Director of the Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Moret leads research initiatives across chemical biology, drug discovery, and pharmaceutical sciences. His leadership extends to multiple advisory and editorial roles within the pharmaceutical research community, reflecting his significant contributions to both academic and professional spheres of pharmaceutical sciences.
Prof. LFM (Leo) Marcelis is a Professor and Chairholder at the Department of Horticulture and Product Physiology, Wageningen University & Research. His research focuses on plant physiology in controlled environments, energy-efficient horticultural systems, and vertical farming technologies. He leads major projects such as SKY HIGH and 'LED it be 50%', aiming to revolutionize plant production through smart lighting and sustainable practices. Key research interests include optimizing crop growth under LED lighting, closed-system agriculture, and enhancing resource use efficiency. Marcelis coordinates courses on plant physiology, greenhouse horticulture, and vertical farming. He actively collaborates with industry partners, governments, and international institutions to bridge academic research with practical applications in global horticulture. He serves as Vice Chair of the Leibniz Institute’s Science Advisory Board and as Chief Editor of the Crop and Product Physiology section in Frontiers in Plant Science . His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, integrating physiology, engineering, and data science to address food security and sustainable agriculture challenges. Marcelis advises numerous PhD students on projects related to plant-light interactions, crop modeling, and vertical farming scalability. His research has contributed to advancing energy-saving technologies and improving crop quality in both greenhouse and urban agricultural settings.
Willem Pieter Brouwer is a Researcher at Erasmus MC's Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, focusing on advanced liver disease research. His work addresses chronic hepatitis B, liver fibrosis, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and the interplay between metabolic disorders and viral infections. He has contributed to 64 peer-reviewed publications, including studies on diagnostic accuracy of liver stiffness assessment and global epidemiology of liver diseases. Key research interests include the molecular mechanisms of liver disease progression, non-invasive diagnostic tools, and the impact of obesity on liver pathology. Collaborations span global institutions, addressing public health implications of viral and metabolic liver diseases. His studies often employ systematic reviews and meta-analyses to synthesize large-scale epidemiological data.
D. (Dick) de Zeeuw is a Professor at the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Groningen. He focuses on diabetes-related kidney disease, cardiovascular pharmacology, and clinical trial design. Affiliation : University of Groningen, Faculty of Medical Sciences Role : Professor in Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology His research targets chronic kidney disease (CKD) in diabetic patients, exploring: Mechanisms of kidney failure progression Pharmacotherapeutic interventions (SGLT2 inhibitors, RAAS blockers, aldosterone synthase inhibitors) Risk stratification through biomarkers (albuminuria, eGFR dynamics) Cardiorenal protective effects Racial/geographic variability in treatment responses Recent studies include Phase I/II trials of BI 690517 (aldosterone synthase inhibitor) and CANPIONE trial analyzing canagliflozin's impact on pre-intervention eGFR slopes. Collaborative work spans multinational clinical meta-analyses. Scientific contributions: Systematic reviews of ACE/ARB use in advanced CKD Development of prognostic imaging biomarkers for diabetic kidney disease (iBEAt protocol) Validation of biomarkers in PROVALID cohort Analysis of diuretic effects on fluid retention markers
Prof. Juliette Legler is a Professor of Toxicology at Utrecht University's Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. She leads the Division of Toxicology and previously headed the Department of Population Health Sciences (2020–2022). Her research focuses on environmental contaminants' molecular mechanisms, particularly endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), microplastics, and metabolic disorders. She coordinates major EU projects like GOLIATH (testing metabolism disruptors) and the Microplastics and Human Health Consortium (MOMENTUM), investigating fetal exposure risks. She also leads the Virtual Human Platform for Safety Assessment (VHP4Safety), advancing animal-free testing methods. Education and Career: Before Utrecht, she held roles at Brunel University London (2018) and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (2001–2015), where she became a Professor of Toxicology in 2013. She is a European Registered Toxicologist and former President of the Netherlands Society of Toxicology (2019–2022). Research Interests: Her work spans EDC impacts on human and wildlife health, microplastic exposure in fetal environments, and developing in vitro models to replace animal testing. Key projects include the EURION and ENKORE clusters for EDC research and the AFARA project for regulatory acceptance of non-animal assays. Publications and Awards: Over 100 publications, including landmark studies on microplastics and EDCs. Awards include the Poulsson Prize (2018), EUROTOX Lecture Award (2024), and ZonMw Pearl Award for microplastics research. She also received the VENI and VIDI grants from NWO. Grants and Projects: Coordinates €11.4M NWO projects (VHP4Safety, AFARA) and European H2020 initiatives (GOLIATH, AURORA). Her work bridges academia, industry, and policy to address environmental health challenges. Labs/Teams: Active in IRAS, leading cross-disciplinary teams in toxicology, in vitro modeling, and environmental health. Collaborates with global networks like the EURION and AURORA consortia.
Prof. Floris de Lange is a Professor at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, and holds a part-time W3-Professorship in Cognitive Computational Neuroscience at the University of Bonn. His research focuses on understanding how top-down factors like goals, attention, expectations, and prior knowledge shape perception, cognition, and decision-making. He uses behavioral and neuroimaging techniques (MEG, fMRI, TMS) to study these processes in healthy and pathological brains. Key research themes include predictive perception, attention, and the neural mechanisms underlying decision-making. His work has been supported by prestigious grants such as the Vici and ERC Consolidator Grants. He teaches courses on Attention and Prediction, Cognitive Control, and Neurophysiology of Cognition and Behaviour. Education: Not explicitly stated in the provided text. Awards: Vici Grant (NWO), ERC Consolidator Grant, Ammodo Science Award, and others. Labs/Teams: Leads the Predictive Perception and Cognition group within the Donders Institute. His research highlights the brain’s predictive nature, demonstrating how expectations modulate sensory processing in early visual cortex and influence decision-making. He collaborates internationally, including an adversarial testing project on theories of consciousness.
Dr. Susanne Kooistra is a Research Professor in the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of Groningen, affiliated with the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). She leads the Senescence, Stem Cells, and Inflammation (SSI) research group, focusing on neuroinflammation, microglial biology, and epigenetic regulation in neurological disorders. Her work spans multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and developmental neurobiology, emphasizing the role of microglia in disease progression and repair mechanisms. Her research integrates transcriptomic and epigenetic approaches to study immune responses in the central nervous system, particularly in contexts of aging, injury, and developmental stressors. Collaborations with institutions like the UMCG and international teams have advanced insights into microglial heterogeneity, myelin repair, and the impact of environmental factors on neurodevelopmental outcomes. Dr. Kooistra’s publications highlight contributions to understanding microglial function in demyelination, stress-induced immune modulation, and epigenetic memory in neuroinflammation. Her work has been recognized through high-impact journals and international peer-reviewed contributions, with a focus on translating basic discoveries into clinical insights for neurodegenerative diseases.
Christian Ramakers is a Researcher in the Department of Clinical Chemistry at Erasmus University Medical Center's Faculty of Medicine. His work bridges laboratory science and clinical practice, focusing on diagnostic innovation and patient-centered biomarker applications across colorectal cancer, infectious diseases, and kidney disorders. His research spans critical medical domains: Colorectal Cancer: Developing home-based monitoring through capillary carcinoembryonic antigen measurements and refining screening methodologies using occult blood tests. Infectious Diseases: Creating rapid mRNA-based diagnostics to differentiate bacterial/viral infections and predict mortality in emergency settings. Nephrology: Investigating dietary impacts (oxalate, potassium) on kidney function in renal disease patients. Endocrinology: Establishing sex-specific reference intervals for serum phosphate in population health. Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals a consistent theme of translating biomarker research into practical clinical tools. Key trends include home-based cancer monitoring systems, emergency department infection diagnostics using host-response mRNA signatures, and precision dietary management for kidney disease. These studies emphasize patient convenience, diagnostic accuracy, and individualized treatment protocols. No scientific awards were documented in the provided materials. The available information does not specify students supervised by Dr. Ramakers or research grants secured. His collaborative work involves multidisciplinary teams across surgery, oncology, nephrology, and emergency medicine, though specific laboratory structures or team compositions remain unreported in the source text.
Professor Alain de Bruin (born 1968) is a distinguished academic at Utrecht University, serving as Professor in the Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Since January 1, 2020, he has been Head of the Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences. His academic journey began with veterinary medicine studies at the University of Hannover in Germany, followed by a PhD from the University of Bern in Switzerland in 1999. After specializing in veterinary pathology and completing a postdoctoral position at Ohio State University, he was appointed professor of pathobiology at Utrecht University in 2005. In 2010, he founded the Netherlands Molecular Pathology Center (UU/UMCG) and became an honorary professor of molecular pathology at the University of Groningen in 2014. Professor de Bruin's research primarily focuses on cancer biology, liver pathology, tumor suppression mechanisms, and aging processes. His expertise includes in vivo modeling, cell cycle analysis, generating transgenic mouse models, pathological analysis of animal disease models, and single-cell transcriptomics. His work centers on proteins that regulate cell proliferation, particularly E2F transcription factors, which he has discovered play critical roles in inhibiting cancer cell growth. His research themes span Life Sciences, Regenerative Medicine, and the Utrecht Platform for Organoid Technology. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent research trajectory centered on cell cycle regulation, particularly the atypical E2F transcription factors (E2F7 and E2F8), and their roles in cancer development, polyploidization, and liver disease. His work demonstrates how these factors influence tumor suppression, angiogenesis, and cellular responses to DNA damage. The publications span multiple disciplines including cancer biology, molecular oncology, hepatology, and regenerative medicine, with applications in both human and veterinary medicine. Professor de Bruin has held significant leadership positions, including chairing the research council (2017-2019) and coordinating the 'Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cells, and Cancer' research program (2013-2019). He serves on the editorial board of 'Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology' and participates in review committees for NWO-Rubicon/Veni, the research alliance UTwente/UU/UMCU, and the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Ohio State University. His laboratory work has made significant contributions to understanding how E2F transcription factors regulate cell proliferation, with implications for developing novel cancer therapy strategies. His research on polyploidization mechanisms has provided insights into liver regeneration and tumor development, while his work on senescence has implications for aging-related diseases.
Dr. Jan Nouwen is a faculty researcher at Erasmus MC in the Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases. His work focuses on HIV-related dermatological alterations, antiretroviral therapy optimization, and microbiome-immune system interactions. Key Research Areas: HIV pathogenesis, antiretroviral drug effects, skin barrier dysfunction, and microbiome changes in immune disorders. Notable Collaborations: ATHENA Observational HIV Cohort, multicohort RESPOND studies. Recent publications highlight his contributions to HIV mortality trends, latency reversal agents, and the role of butyrate in autoimmune conditions like systemic lupus erythematosus. His 2025 review in International Journal of Molecular Sciences synthesizes HIV-associated skin microbiome changes. Scientific Recognition: Recipient of the ICAAC Award (2004) for professional contributions. Methodology: Utilizes prospective cohort studies, clinical trials, and molecular biology approaches.
Dr. Utku Yavuz is an Assistant Professor in the Biomedical Signals and Systems Department at the TechMed Centre. His expertise spans neuromuscular physiology, wearable sensor technologies, and clinical monitoring systems. He holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Ege University, complemented by earlier degrees in Physics Engineering (Hacettepe University) and Biophysics (Hacettepe University). Research Focus: Motor unit physiology, neuromuscular modeling, and clinical applications of wearable sensors. Key Areas: Spinal motor neuron behavior, electromyography (EMG), and translational technologies for diabetes and musculoskeletal health. Dr. Yavuz’s work bridges neuroscience and engineering, addressing challenges in prosthetic design, real-time neuromuscular signal decoding, and improving clinical decision-making through sensor data analysis. Recent studies include optimizing wearable glucose monitors and analyzing muscle-tendon dynamics in amputees. His research outputs span 43 publications, with contributions to high-impact journals like BMC Digital Health and IEEE Sensors Journal . Collaborations include institutions focused on biomechanics, robotics, and clinical informatics. Advising: Supervised 1 graduate project, though specific advisee names are not listed. Active in academic activities such as thesis examinations and conference presentations.
Jaap Keijer is a Full Professor and Chairholder in the Department of Human and Animal Physiology at Wageningen University & Research. His research focuses on metabolic physiology, particularly energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, and the interplay between diet, aging, and chronic metabolic diseases. He leads projects investigating nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (NNT) in energy metabolism, galactose's effects on metabolic programming, and the role of environmental factors like hypoxia in muscle physiology. He serves on the editorial board of Molecular Nutrition and Food Research and advises the German Institute of Human Nutrition. His work integrates molecular, cellular, and whole-organism approaches to understand health and disease mechanisms. Key research themes include metabolic adaptations in obesity, mitochondrial dysfunction in aging, and translational biomarker development for physical activity and metabolic health. Dr. Keijer teaches courses on molecular nutritional physiology, model organisms for lifespan research, and dissection-free human/animal physiology. His projects address clinical challenges such as sarcopenia, atrial fibrillation, and nutrient interventions for metabolic disorders. Recent studies explore dietary galactose's programming effects on intestinal metabolism and the impact of NNT deficiency on cardiac health. His lab employs advanced techniques like single-cell transcriptomics and Seahorse extracellular flux analysis to study metabolic pathways in humans and animal models. Publications emphasize mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic biomarkers, and translational models for aging and disease. His work bridges basic research and clinical applications, aiming to improve metabolic health through dietary and lifestyle interventions. Current initiatives include developing a human gut-on-a-chip model and validating integrative biomarkers for physical activity in adolescents.
Dr. Sanne Meles is a researcher at the Faculty of Medical Sciences , part of the University of Groningen . Her work focuses on Neuroimaging and Neurodegenerative Disorders , particularly Parkinson's Disease and REM Sleep Behavior Disorder . She contributes to advanced imaging techniques like 18F-FDG PET and applies Machine Learning for data harmonization and disease classification. Email: s.k.meles@umcg.nl ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5505-3527 Her research explores metabolic brain networks in neurodegenerative conditions, identifying patterns in essential tremor , Parkinson's prodromal stages , and REM sleep disorders . She has published extensively on neuroimaging biomarkers , machine learning applications , and longitudinal disease progression studies. Recent work includes machine learning harmonization of multicenter PET data, metabolic brain patterns in REM disorders, and validation of phenoconversion markers for Parkinson's. Her articles highlight cross-disciplinary collaborations with institutions like Seoul National University and Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative . Press/media coverage of her research includes public commentary on a Parkinson's detection test , which has been referenced in Wikipedia and picked up by news outlets and X (Twitter) users .
Dr. A.B. (Bas) Vaandrager is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences at Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. His research focuses on Cell Biology, Metabolism & Cancer with particular expertise in lipid biochemistry, hepatic stellate cell biology, and lipid droplet dynamics. Working from his laboratory in the Nieuw Gildestein building at Yalelaan 2 in Utrecht, he maintains an active research program investigating the molecular mechanisms of lipid storage and metabolism. Dr. Vaandrager's research interests center on lipid metabolism , particularly the biochemistry of lipid droplets , retinoid metabolism in hepatic stellate cells, and the role of lipids in liver disease. His work bridges basic cell biology with veterinary clinical applications, with significant contributions to understanding hepatic lipidosis in cats and the molecular mechanisms of lipid storage in hepatic stellate cells during liver fibrosis. His research employs advanced techniques including lipidomics, cell culture models, and molecular biology approaches to investigate how cells regulate lipid storage and metabolism. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent research trajectory focused on hepatic lipid metabolism, with particular emphasis on retinyl ester storage, lipid droplet heterogeneity, and the metabolic reprogramming that occurs during hepatic stellate cell activation. His work demonstrates how different lipid species are stored and metabolized in specialized cellular compartments, with implications for understanding liver fibrosis and metabolic disorders. Dr. Vaandrager has mentored numerous students throughout his career, with evidence of 9 supervised research projects documented in his profile. His collaborative approach is evident through extensive co-authorship with researchers at Utrecht University including J.B. Helms, M. Houweling, and B. Spee. His laboratory investigates hepatic stellate cell biology, with particular focus on how these cells store and metabolize lipids, especially vitamin A in the form of retinyl esters. This research has important implications for understanding liver fibrosis, metabolic liver diseases, and species-specific differences in lipid metabolism, particularly in feline medicine.
