Julie Nekkebroeck

Dr. Julie Nekkebroeck serves as a Clinical Psychologist in Genetics at the Medical Genetics Department within the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in Brussels, Belgium. She functions as an external researcher specializing in the psychosocial dimensions of reproductive genetics and assisted reproductive technologies, with particular expertise in oocyte cryopreservation, donor conception, and genetic counseling.

Her primary research interests encompass:

• Reproductive genetics and counseling
• Psychosocial aspects of fertility treatments and genetic conditions
• Oocyte and embryo cryopreservation (including social egg freezing)
• Donor conception and family dynamics
• Patient-reported outcomes in genetic and reproductive medicine
• Ethical considerations in assisted reproductive technologies

Dr. Nekkebroeck's scholarly work demonstrates a consistent focus on long-term outcomes of reproductive interventions, with recent publications examining 10-year follow-ups of elective oocyte cryopreservation, perspectives on sperm donor anonymity, and family relations in oocyte donation scenarios. Her interdisciplinary research bridges clinical genetics, reproductive medicine, and psychology, appearing in leading journals including Human Reproduction and European Journal of Human Genetics. She has maintained consistent research productivity since 2001, with 67 research outputs documented through 2024.

As an active mentor, Dr. Nekkebroeck has supervised multiple Master's theses on topics ranging from egg freezing attitudes to cognitive development in children conceived through assisted reproduction. She has contributed to significant research projects including the BRIDGE: IGenCare project (2018-2022), which developed personalized healthcare genomics solutions for patients with rare genetic diseases. Her scholarly impact is reflected in an h-index of 17 with over 1,200 citations.

Dr. Nekkebroeck is a recognized expert in her field, frequently invited to present at national conferences including the Annual Symposium of the Belgian Society of Human Genetics. She actively engages with the public through media appearances in De Standaard, FLAIR, and various podcasts, discussing contemporary issues in reproductive medicine and contributing to public understanding of fertility preservation options and ethical considerations in assisted reproduction.