Liesbeth Thewissen

Liesbeth Thewissen is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine of KU Leuven, where she is actively engaged in neonatal research and medical education. Her academic profile is deeply rooted in neonatology with a specialized focus on cerebral hemodynamics in newborn infants.

Dr. Thewissen's primary research interests center around cerebrovascular reactivity and autoregulation in neonates and cerebral oxygenation measured by near-infrared spectroscopy. Her work investigates how preterm infants' brains regulate blood flow and oxygenation, particularly under clinical stressors. This research has direct clinical implications for improving outcomes in vulnerable newborn populations, especially extremely preterm infants who require intensive care. Her methodological approach combines advanced monitoring techniques with clinical observation to better understand neonatal brain physiology.

The publication record reveals a strong focus on neonatal brain monitoring, with particular emphasis on cerebral oxygenation, preterm infant care, and neurological outcomes. Recent work demonstrates increasing integration of machine learning approaches with traditional physiological monitoring, reflecting an evolving interdisciplinary approach to neonatal neurology. Much of her research involves large international collaborations, indicating her active participation in the global neonatal research community.

Dr. Thewissen contributes significantly to medical education at KU Leuven, teaching across various pediatric and clinical communication modules. Her teaching portfolio includes multiple courses in pediatrics (E0BN8A, E0AI4A, E0BQ2A) and specialized communication training across numerous medical specialties. This broad teaching engagement suggests she plays an important role in training future physicians across multiple disciplines.