Anna Jansen

Dr. Anna Jansen is a Clinical Professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine. She serves as an External employee in both Public Health Sciences and the Department of Genetics Reproduction and Development, with a specialized focus on the Mental Health and Wellbeing research group. Her research spans neurology, genetics, and developmental disorders, with a particular emphasis on malformations of cortical development and their associated neurological conditions.

Dr. Jansen's primary research interests center around Malformations of Cortical Development (MCD), Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, and genetic neurological disorders. Her work investigates the genetic basis of brain malformations, particularly conditions like lissencephaly, polymicrogyria, and tuberous sclerosis. She has made significant contributions to understanding the relationship between specific gene mutations (such as ARX and SUFU) and neurological phenotypes. Her research employs advanced genomic techniques including whole exome and genome sequencing to identify novel genetic variants associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Analysis of Dr. Jansen's recent publication record reveals a strong focus on translating genetic discoveries into clinical applications. Her work demonstrates an increasing emphasis on patient-centered approaches, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of diagnostic protocols for children with developmental disabilities. There's a clear trajectory toward integrating artificial intelligence with clinical neurology, as evidenced by her involvement in multiple AI-focused research projects. Her publications consistently address the intersection of genetics, neurology, and clinical care, with particular attention to improving diagnostic pathways and therapeutic interventions.

Dr. Jansen has received several prestigious awards recognizing her contributions to neurology and genetics research:

• American Academy of Neurology Fellowship (2010)
• John Stobo Prichard Award (2016)
• Fonds Jeanne & Alice Van de Voorde for Medical-Scientific Research (2013)

As an advisor, Dr. Jansen has supervised or served on committees for 23 master's theses, focusing on topics related to pediatric neurology, developmental disorders, and public health. Her grant portfolio includes 17 major research projects totaling approximately 5 million euros in funding. Notable projects include "TANDem 2: Closing the Gap to Interventions for TAND" (2024-2027), "IOF GEAR: Artificial Intelligence from bench to bedside in neurology" (2022-2026), and "What brain malformations can teach us" (2020-2025). These projects involve interdisciplinary collaborations with institutions across Europe and focus on translating basic research into clinical applications.

Dr. Jansen leads the Mental Health and Wellbeing research group at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, which comprises 15 researchers including geneticists, neurologists, and bioinformaticians. Her team collaborates extensively with the University Hospitals Leuven and other European institutions through multiple EU-funded initiatives. The group maintains strong partnerships with patient advocacy organizations, particularly those focused on tuberous sclerosis and cortical malformation disorders, ensuring that research priorities align with patient needs.