Celeste Smeys

Celeste Smeys serves as a Clinical Professor in Nephrology within the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium. Her clinical practice is based at Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZB) with dual campus locations in Jette and Brussels. She coordinates the Nephrology Advanced Master's Programme and maintains active research collaborations through the Gerontopole Brussels Study group.

Her research focuses on geriatric-nephrology intersections, particularly investigating frailty mechanisms in elderly patients with renal conditions. Key interests include respiratory muscle function, psychological resilience in aging, and activities of daily living assessment. The BUTTERFLY study forms the cornerstone of her work on octogenarian health metrics, examining relationships between physiological markers like handgrip strength and respiratory capacity.

Publication trends reveal consistent output in high-impact geriatric journals since 2020, with recent expansion into nephrology-specific innovations for 2025. Her work demonstrates strong collaboration patterns with 12+ institutional partners, evidenced by multi-author publications across gerontology and nephrology domains. Current research bridges dialysis technology development with fundamental aging mechanisms.

Scientific Recognition:

• h-index of 16 based on Scopus and Pure database publications
• 15+ citations across recent publications
• Active contributor to European geriatric research networks

Her advisory work focuses on clinical mentorship within the Nephrology Master's Programme, though formal student listings aren't published. Research is conducted through multidisciplinary teams including the Gerontopole Brussels consortium, with emphasis on community-dwelling elderly cohorts. Current grants likely support the BUTTERFLY study's longitudinal assessment of aging biomarkers.

Lab activities center on physiological assessment units measuring respiratory pressures, muscle strength, and functional capacity. Team structures integrate nephrologists, geriatricians, physiotherapists, and psychologists for comprehensive aging research. Future work appears directed toward innovative peritoneal dialysis solutions for frail elderly populations.