Tim Horeman

Dr. Tim Horeman is an Associate Professor in Sustainable Surgery & Translational Technology at Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering, within the Department of Biomechanical Engineering. His work bridges mechanical engineering and surgical healthcare, focusing on the development of simpler, more elegant, and sustainable surgical instruments and implants.

His research emphasizes accessibility, sustainability, and cost reduction in surgical technology. He designs modular systems where only disposable tips (e.g., gripping, cutting, or firing components) are replaced, minimizing waste and enabling global deployment of medical devices. Rather than developing entirely new robotic arms, he leverages off-the-shelf components and prioritizes intelligent, context-aware design to reduce overall system complexity.

Collaboration is central to his approach. He works closely with clinical experts, including health ambassador David Abbink, on a joint project to develop and validate a sustainable, sterilizable, modular surgical robotic platform. His team includes eight PhD students—four with technical backgrounds and four from clinical practice—reflecting a strong integration of engineering and medical perspectives.

Dr. Horeman advocates for engineers to understand clinical needs and communication dynamics in healthcare collaborations. He emphasizes that successful innovation must serve both patient outcomes and surgeon usability, with research impact measured not only in publications but in real-world adoption and improvement.

Scientific Awards:

• No specific awards mentioned in the source text.

Advising and Grants:
Dr. Horeman supervises a diverse group of eight PhD candidates, equally split between technical and clinical backgrounds, indicating a strong commitment to interdisciplinary training. While specific grants are not listed, his research direction suggests funding likely related to sustainable healthcare technology, translational medical devices, and modular robotics, potentially supported by national or EU-level programs.

Labs, Teams, and Research Groups:
He leads a research team focused on sustainable surgery and translational technology, collaborating across engineering and clinical domains. His work is part of TU Delft’s broader health innovation initiative, engaging with medical professionals and contributing to the development of next-generation surgical tools that are functional, affordable, and environmentally responsible.