معرفی
Karin Haustermans is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, where she works within the Department of Oncology and the Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy. She is an active member of both the iSi Health - KU Leuven Institute for Physics-based Modeling for In Silico Health and the LKI - KU Leuven Cancer Institute. Additionally, she serves as a member (as ZAP) of both the Faculty Council of Medicine and the Departmental Council of Oncology.
Her research interests focus on radiation oncology with particular emphasis on proton therapy applications, gastrointestinal cancers (especially rectal and esophageal cancer), organ preservation strategies, and radiobiological mechanisms. She investigates comparative effectiveness of proton versus photon therapy, radiation toxicity profiles, and innovative treatment approaches for cancer patients. Her work integrates clinical outcomes with radiobiological principles to optimize radiation treatment protocols.
Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on gastrointestinal malignancies, particularly rectal and esophageal cancers, where she examines proton therapy applications, organ preservation strategies, and comparative treatment outcomes. Her research demonstrates expertise in radiation dosimetry, toxicity prediction models, and the biological mechanisms underlying radiation effects, with several studies focusing on FLASH proton therapy and its potential clinical applications. The publications collectively emphasize personalized treatment approaches and evidence-based decision making in radiation oncology.
Professor Haustermans actively leads multiple significant research projects through 2028, serving as promoter or co-promoter on studies investigating proton therapy for thoracic cancers, rectal cancer treatment in the era of Total Neoadjuvant Therapy, and biological effects of FLASH proton therapy. Her work demonstrates substantial grant funding and collaborative research efforts across multiple institutions.
She is affiliated with the Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy at UZ Leuven (University Hospital Leuven), where she contributes to both clinical and translational research in radiation oncology. Her laboratory work focuses on mechanistic studies of radiation effects while maintaining strong connections to clinical applications and patient outcomes.
