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Kristien Wouters is a clinical doctor and researcher affiliated with the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp. She works in the HIV/STI-clinic, providing care for patients living with HIV/AIDS and STIs, and coordinates the 'Helpcenter,' a low-threshold center for HIV/STI testing focusing on high-risk groups like migrants and men who have sex with men. Her primary role involves secondary HIV prevention through diagnosis and counseling, alongside primary prevention efforts. She holds a Master's in Medicine from the University of Antwerp and completed a Tropical Medicine specialization at the Institute of Tropical Medicine (2001–2002). Research Focus: Her work emphasizes public health interventions in HIV/STI prevention, epidemiology of antibiotic-resistant pathogens like Mycoplasma genitalium, and healthcare access for marginalized populations. She also investigates outcomes in corneal transplantation and quality-of-life issues in hematological disorders. Recent Research Trends: Recent studies address online self-sampling for HIV/STI testing, barriers to PrEP use among migrants, and antibiotic resistance patterns in bacterial STIs. Her publications span peer-reviewed journals like BMJ Open and Sexually Transmitted Infections . Affiliations & Roles: She serves as Chair of Viva Africa, an external organization. Her work bridges clinical practice, research, and public health advocacy, particularly in Belgium and tropical medicine contexts. Labs/Teams: Active in interdisciplinary teams focused on infectious disease control and global health equity, coordinating multicenter trials and community-based screening initiatives.

• HIV/AIDS
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
• Public Health
• +6 more

Thijs Reyniers is a researcher at the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, specializing in sexual health and HIV prevention research with a particular focus on PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) implementation. He holds dual PhDs in Social Health Sciences from Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Health Sciences from Ghent University, which he obtained in 2015 after completing his Master's degree in Sociology (Major: Sociology of Health) at Ghent University in 2009. His research expertise spans both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, with significant contributions to understanding sexual health behaviors, HIV prevention strategies, and healthcare service delivery for key populations including men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, and sex workers. Dr. Reyniers serves as the social science coordinator for the be-prep-ared study and leads multiple research projects examining PrEP implementation across different contexts, including Belgium and Burkina Faso. Sexual Health and HIV Research Group at Institute of Tropical Medicine Be-prep-ared study social science coordinator Principal investigator on multiple NIH/Flemish Government-funded projects Collaborator with international research teams across Europe and Africa His research interests focus on the intersection of social science and public health, particularly examining how social, behavioral, and structural factors influence the implementation and effectiveness of HIV prevention strategies. Dr. Reyniers' work emphasizes mixed-methods approaches to understand both the quantitative outcomes and qualitative experiences of PrEP users and healthcare providers. Analysis of his recent publications shows a strong trend toward implementation science research examining real-world PrEP delivery systems, with particular attention to user experiences, healthcare service preferences, and barriers to access among diverse populations. His work bridges clinical HIV prevention with social science perspectives to develop more responsive and effective sexual health services. Dr. Reyniers has secured multiple competitive research grants from the Research Fund - Flanders and Flemish Government agencies, supporting his work on PrEP implementation in Belgium and internationally. His projects often involve interdisciplinary collaborations with clinicians, epidemiologists, and community organizations to ensure research relevance and applicability. He has supervised research assistants and contributed to mentoring early-career researchers through his involvement in multiple PhD projects. His work has been recognized through publication in high-impact journals including The Lancet HIV and AIDS and Behavior, and has been featured in multiple news outlets and social media platforms.

• Sexual Health
• HIV Research
• PrEP Implementation
• +5 more

Irith De Baetselier is a researcher at the Clinical Reference Laboratory of the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium. Her work focuses on sexually transmitted infection diagnostics, HIV prevention strategies, and antimicrobial resistance. Current research includes projects on injectable PrEP feasibility and optimization of STI testing platforms. Her publications demonstrate strong focus on clinical applications of microbiology research, particularly regarding diagnostic innovations for STIs and emerging antibiotic resistance patterns. The research has significant implications for public health policy and clinical practice.

• Sexually Transmitted Infections
• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• +2 more

Tom Smekens is the departmental statistician within the Department of Public Health at the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium. He is actively involved in research projects related to public health, particularly focusing on HIV prevention, infectious disease epidemiology, and statistical analysis of health data. His work spans multiple countries including Belgium, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and others in Africa. Smekens' research interests lie at the intersection of biostatistics and public health, with a strong focus on HIV/AIDS prevention (including pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP), infectious disease transmission dynamics (such as SARS-CoV-2), and health disparities among key populations like sexual and gender minorities and sex workers. His methodological expertise includes latent class analysis, cohort studies, and mathematical modeling to inform public health interventions. His recent publications (2023-2024) demonstrate a consistent focus on HIV prevention strategies in Belgium and Africa, utilizing diverse data sources such as insurance claims, community clinic records, and cohort surveys. Key themes include identifying priority groups for PrEP, analyzing barriers to HIV testing, and assessing the impact of public health interventions on disease transmission. Smekens has contributed to several major research projects, including: Support in getting insights in SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics in Brussels region (2020-2021), focusing on contact tracing and cluster detection. PrEP_PROMISE: Optimise PrEP to Maximise Impact (2019-2023), a project aimed at optimizing pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention among key populations in Belgium. HERMETIC: Using mathematical modelling to determine the number and characteristics of people living with undiagnosed HIV (2015-2019), to inform targeted HIV testing strategies. These projects were funded by organizations including the Research Fund - Flanders and Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship. As a core member of research teams working on HIV and infectious diseases, Smekens collaborates with multidisciplinary groups across Belgium and internationally, particularly in Africa. His statistical expertise is integral to the design, analysis, and interpretation of complex public health data in these collaborative efforts.

• Public Health
• Biostatistics
• HIV/AIDS Research
• +3 more

Hilde Smet is a Researcher at the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp (ITM) Clinical Reference Laboratory in Belgium, with a significant research focus on sexually transmitted infections, particularly Mycoplasma genitalium and antimicrobial resistance patterns. Her work spans clinical microbiology, public health surveillance, and diagnostic methodology development, with strong international collaborations across Europe and Africa. Her research interests center on infectious disease diagnostics , with specific expertise in antimicrobial resistance surveillance , STI epidemiology , and molecular detection methods . Dr. Smet's work has been particularly influential in understanding resistance patterns in Mycoplasma genitalium across different population groups, including men who have sex with men and populations in West Africa. Her publication record shows consistent research activity from 2012-2024, with a notable increase in output since 2018. The research demonstrates strong methodological rigor with frequent use of molecular diagnostics, epidemiological analysis, and public health surveillance approaches. Her work on monkeypox virus detection during the 2022 outbreak contributed significantly to understanding asymptomatic transmission patterns. Picked up by 30 news outlets Blogged by 2 sources Referenced in 1 policy source Posted by 174 X users Featured on 1 Facebook page Referenced in 2 Wikipedia pages Dr. Smet collaborates extensively with researchers across multiple institutions, particularly focusing on sexual health clinics and reference laboratory networks. Her work often involves large collaborative studies like the CohMSM-PrEP ANRS 12369 study examining STIs among men who have sex with men using pre-exposure prophylaxis in West Africa. The Clinical Reference Laboratory at ITM serves as the central hub for her research activities, providing the diagnostic and methodological expertise that underpins her publications.

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Sexually Transmitted Infections
• +4 more

Thibaut Vanbaelen is an active researcher focused on HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and public health interventions. His work emphasizes improving prevention strategies such as PrEP optimization, self-sampling for HIV/STI testing, and addressing antimicrobial resistance. He collaborates with institutions in Flanders on projects funded by the Research Fund - Flanders, including studies on injectable PrEP feasibility and contemporary challenges in PrEP care. Lead researcher in projects like PrEP_PROMISE and Injectable PrEP initiatives. Conducts epidemiological studies on chemsex practices, gonorrhea treatment, and Mycoplasma genitalium resistance. Pioneer in digital health solutions for STI testing and public health surveillance. Research often intersects with clinical practice, policy, and vulnerable populations such as sexual minorities. His work addresses both local (Belgian) and global health challenges, with a focus on translating research into actionable interventions.

• HIV/AIDS Research
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
• Public Health
• +3 more

Annelies De Hondt is a researcher at the Clinical Trial Centre of the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp (ITM), Belgium, with a significant research focus on tropical and infectious diseases. Her work spans multiple continents with particular emphasis on African health contexts, especially Ethiopia and Guinea. She maintains an active research portfolio with recent publications in high-impact journals including Nature Medicine and Clinical Infectious Diseases. Her research interests center on tropical medicine with specific expertise in parasitic diseases including schistosomiasis and visceral leishmaniasis, as well as sexually transmitted infections. Dr. De Hondt's work frequently examines the intersection of infectious diseases with HIV, evaluates novel treatment approaches, and investigates disease transmission dynamics in endemic regions. Her research combines clinical trials methodology with epidemiological approaches to address critical questions in global health. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on treatment efficacy studies for neglected tropical diseases, with particular attention to drug repurposing strategies and innovative clinical trial designs. Her work demonstrates consistent collaboration with international research teams across Europe and Africa, reflecting the global nature of tropical disease research. Dr. De Hondt is actively involved in multiple research projects including 'FA5 GUINEE: Improving uptake of Evidence-informed Health Policies in Guinea' (2022-2026) funded by the Directorate-General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid, and 'GonoScreen' (2020-2024), a study on STI screening effectiveness in men who have sex with men taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, funded by the Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre.

• Tropical Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Trials
• +5 more

Christopher Kenyon leads the Unit of Sexually Transmitted Infections at the Institute of Tropical Medicine and serves as Infectious Diseases Physician at University Hospital Antwerp. His research focuses on antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, prevention strategies for STIs, and novel antimicrobial approaches including bacteriophage therapy.

• Antimicrobial Resistance
• Sexually Transmitted Infections
• Public Health
• +2 more

Achilleas Tsoumanis is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, specializing in infectious disease epidemiology and tropical medicine. His work focuses on sexually transmitted infections, antimicrobial resistance, and tropical diseases including malaria and leishmaniasis. He is actively involved in clinical research with numerous publications in high-impact journals including The Lancet, Nature Medicine, and Sexually Transmitted Infections. Dr. Tsoumanis holds a Master's degree and has demonstrated consistent research productivity with 50 research outputs spanning from 2015 to 2025. His publication record shows increasing output over time, with significant contributions in recent years. His research interests center on sexually transmitted infections epidemiology , particularly focusing on gonorrhea and chlamydia among men who have sex with men. His work employs mathematical modeling to understand disease transmission dynamics and evaluate intervention strategies. Additional research areas include tropical parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis and visceral leishmaniasis, with field work conducted in Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. His recent work on mpox outbreaks demonstrates his capacity to respond to emerging infectious disease threats. Analysis of Dr. Tsoumanis's recent publications reveals a strong focus on mathematical modeling of sexually transmitted infections, particularly examining screening strategies and treatment efficacy. His work bridges clinical research with public health implementation, often focusing on vulnerable populations including sexual and gender minorities. The geographical scope of his research spans from Belgium to multiple African nations, reflecting the global nature of tropical disease research. Active PhD project: 'Use of network modeling to better understand STI epidemiology' (2017-present) Collaborators include Kenyon, C. and Hens, N. Research referenced in clinical guideline sources Work picked up by multiple news outlets and social media platforms His research is conducted through the Clinical Trial Centre at the Institute of Tropical Medicine. The collaborative nature of his work, with numerous co-authors across multiple institutions and countries, indicates participation in international research networks focused on infectious diseases and tropical medicine. His schistosomiasis clinical trial published in Nature Medicine has received significant attention with 8 citation indexes and 26 Mendeley readers.

• Sexually Transmitted Infections
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Tropical Medicine
• +3 more

Christophe Van Dijck is a Researcher at the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, specializing in Emerging Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance. He leads projects on mpox outbreaks in Central Africa, gonococcal resistance mechanisms, and STI epidemiology. His work integrates clinical, microbiological, and public health perspectives to address global health challenges. Recent projects include 'Mpox, a tale of two epidemics' and 'Resistance in gonorrhoea,' involving collaborations across multiple institutions. His research focuses on viral and bacterial pathogens, particularly Neisseria species and mpox virus. Key areas include antimicrobial resistance patterns, outbreak investigation, and vaccine efficacy assessment. He has published extensively in high-impact journals like The Lancet and Clinical Microbiology and Infection . Van Dijck collaborates with global networks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, and Belgium. His work emphasizes One Health approaches, linking human, animal, and environmental health. He advises on public health strategies to mitigate antimicrobial resistance and control emerging infections.

• Emerging Infectious Diseases
• Antimicrobial Resistance
• Sexually Transmitted Infections
• +3 more

Séverine Caluwaerts is a researcher and clinician at the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Belgium, working in the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) clinic. Her research spans infectious diseases with a particular focus on Ebola virus disease, maternal and newborn health, and HIV prevention strategies. Her research interests center on global health emergencies, particularly viral hemorrhagic fevers and pandemic responses. Dr. Caluwaerts has made significant contributions to understanding Ebola treatment in vulnerable populations, including newborns, and has examined the implementation of PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) in Belgian STI clinics. Her work during the COVID-19 pandemic focused on the experiences of maternal and newborn health professionals worldwide. Analysis of her publication history shows a strong emphasis on clinical applications of research findings, with work appearing in high-impact journals including The Lancet Infectious Diseases, BMJ Global Health, and Journal of Infectious Diseases. Her research demonstrates substantial international collaboration, particularly evident in her global survey work during the pandemic. Her scholarly impact is notable, with her Ebola-related research being referenced in Wikipedia, policy documents, and widely discussed across social media platforms, with one paper garnering over 700 readers on Mendeley. Dr. Caluwaerts holds a Master's degree and maintains an active research profile, with publications spanning from 2008 to the present, including a 2025 publication indicating ongoing research activity.

• Ebola Virus Disease
• Maternal and Newborn Health
• Public Health
• +3 more

Izumo Kanesaka is an Associate Professor at Toho University in Japan and a clinical microbiologist affiliated with the Department of Clinical Sciences at the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp, Belgium. He leads the Sexually Transmitted Infections Unit at ITM and focuses on antimicrobial resistance mechanisms in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly involving Neisseria species. His work emphasizes using commensal bacteria as early-warning indicators for antimicrobial consumption trends. Roles: Associate Professor (Toho University), Clinical Microbiologist (ITM) Key Affiliations: ITM’s Sexually Transmitted Infections Unit Research interests include: Antimicrobial resistance dynamics in Neisseria species Sentinel surveillance using commensal bacteria Global health strategies for STI control Recent publications analyze combination therapies for gonorrhoea, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in Neisseria , and multinational surveillance frameworks. His work bridges clinical practice and public health, with a focus on infection control and antibiotic stewardship. Collaborations span international institutions, contributing to novel approaches for resistance monitoring. No awards are explicitly listed, but his research has garnered attention via platforms like Mendeley and Bluesky.

• Antimicrobial Resistance
• Sexually Transmitted Infections
• Clinical Microbiology
• +3 more