Kristl Claeys

Kristl Claeys is a Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, where she serves as head of the Laboratory for Muscle Diseases and Neuropathies. She is actively involved with the Department of Neuroscience and holds membership in several prestigious institutes including the KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven Institute for Rare Diseases (Leuven.IRD), and KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics (LISCO).

Her research focuses on neuromuscular diseases, muscle pathology, and rare genetic disorders. She leads multiple research projects investigating radiological and clinical outcome measures in neuromuscular disorders, precision medicine approaches for muscular dystrophies, and AI-driven solutions for neuromuscular MRI. Her work spans from basic laboratory research on muscle diseases to clinical applications and therapeutic development.

Prof. Claeys' recent publications demonstrate significant contributions to understanding Pompe disease, spinal muscular atrophy, myasthenia gravis, and various genetic myopathies. Her research shows a strong trend toward integrating advanced imaging techniques, AI analysis, and precision medicine approaches to improve diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular disorders.

She actively participates in academic governance as a member of both the Faculty Council of Medicine and the Departmental Council of Neurosciences at KU Leuven. Her teaching portfolio includes numerous advanced neurology courses covering neurobiology of disease, problem-solving in neurology, and specialized topics in neuromuscular disorders.

Prof. Claeys leads a comprehensive research program with multiple ongoing projects through 2029, focusing on outcome measures in neuromuscular diseases, biomarker development, bone health in muscular dystrophies, and AI applications in neuromuscular imaging. Her work bridges basic science and clinical practice, with emphasis on translating research findings into improved patient care for those with rare neuromuscular conditions.