Lucas van der Woude

Prof. Lucas van der Woude is a Professor of Human Movement, Rehabilitation & Functional Recovery at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Medical Sciences, affiliated with the Center for Human Movement Sciences and the UMCG. His career includes roles at VU University Amsterdam (1989-2009) and adjunct positions at institutions like the University of Pittsburgh and Loughborough University. He specializes in spinal cord injury rehabilitation, wheelchair propulsion ergonomics, and adapted sports, with over 240 peer-reviewed publications.

• Education: MSc (1982), PhD (1989) in Human Movement Sciences (VU Amsterdam)
• Research Interests: Restoring mobility post-spinal injury, assistive technology, sports for persons with disabilities

He received the 2011 Paralympic Scientific Award and leads national programs like ALLRISC. Active in organizing international congresses and supervising PhD students, he collaborates globally on projects such as SCIONN and RehabMove2025. His work bridges clinical rehabilitation with sports science, emphasizing practical applications in mobility restoration.

• Awards: Paralympic Scientific Award 2011
• Grants: ZonMw-funded programs on spinal cord injury rehabilitation

He co-founded the Northern Expert Center for Sports, Exercise, and Handicap (NESH) and remains involved in clinical teaching and advisory roles despite transitioning to reduced departmental hours post-2020.