Hauke Smidt is a Personal Professor at Wageningen University & Research, affiliated with the Molecular Ecology group within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences. His research focuses on microbial ecology, particularly gut microbiota dynamics, antibiotic resistance, environmental microbiology, and the One Health framework. Smidt has supervised over 50 PhD students and contributed to 519 publications, including studies on microbiome resilience, fermented food impacts, and bioremediation strategies. Education and affiliations include leadership roles in projects addressing antimicrobial resistance, pig health, and drinking water microbiology. His work spans collaborations across Europe and Asia, with notable contributions to understanding microbial community responses to environmental stressors and dietary interventions. Smidt is actively involved in public outreach, as seen in media contributions discussing microbiome research and health benefits. Key projects include aquifer treatment for drinking water, microbiome simulation models, and combating plant pathogens. His awards and recognition are not explicitly listed, but his extensive publication record and project leadership highlight significant academic impact.
M.T.O. (Chiel) Jonker is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , Utrecht University , affiliated with the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS) and its Toxicology division . He specializes in exposure assessment of hydrophobic organic chemicals (e.g., PFAS , PAHs , PCBs ), focusing on sorption processes , bioaccumulation dynamics , and passive sampling techniques in both in vivo and in vitro settings. His research emphasizes methodological innovation for high-quality chemical analysis (GC-MS, LC-MS) and environmental risk assessment . Recent work includes PFAS degradation , sediment toxicity testing , and temperature/salinity effects on contaminant partitioning. His 2018-2024 publications highlight passive sampling calibration , mechanistic toxicity models , and bioavailability prediction using polyoxymethylene and silicone rubber samplers .
Lieuwke Kranenburg is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , Utrecht University , specializing in Equine Internal Medicine . She provides patient care at the University Equine Clinic and teaches Master's courses in equine digestion , infectious diseases , and skin problems . Research Focus: Equine internal medicine, digestive diseases, infectious pathogens, metabolic disorders Professional Certifications: EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine International Collaboration: Trained Chinese veterinarians at Heilan Equestrian Centre Publications highlight her work on equine gastric disease management, diagnostic imaging, infectious disease epidemiology, and metabolic research. She contributes to equine clinical research through peer-reviewed journals and conference abstracts. Professional Involvement: Former board member of the Equine Medicine Group and current GGP representative for FEEVA, maintaining professional networks and advancing equine veterinary practice.
Prof. Dr. ir. Hans Heesterbeek is a full Professor of Theoretical Epidemiology at Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. He holds a dual appointment in the Department of Farm Animal Health within the Population Health Sciences sector. His research focuses on the dynamics of infectious diseases at the intersection of biology, medicine, and mathematics, with emphasis on wildlife epidemiology and complex systems. He chairs Utrecht University's Committee for Research Integrity and has held leadership roles in departments like Animals in Science and Society. Education: MSc Phytopathology (Wageningen University, 1986), MSc Mathematics (University of Amsterdam, 1988), PhD in Mathematical Biology from Leiden University (1992) Affiliations: Editor-in-Chief of Epidemics journal, Senior Editor at Proceedings of the Royal Society B , Chair of ZonMw's Open Competition grant program Research interests include: Mathematical modeling of disease spread Ecological epidemiology of zoonotic pathogens Role of wildlife in disease transmission Historical analysis of epidemic understanding Key contributions: Co-developer of the R₀ reproduction number framework, foundational to global epidemiological modeling. Active in interdisciplinary work linking theoretical ecology to societal systems. Currently writing a book on the history of epidemic science. Grants: Vici laureate (€1.3M, 2005-2010). Organizes biannual Epidemics conferences. Advises on public health policy during outbreaks like the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Reynaldo Martina is an Assistant Professor at Utrecht University, affiliated with the Department of Population Health Sciences under the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. His research focuses on farm animal health and welfare, population health dynamics, and agricultural sciences. Martina contributes to veterinary epidemiology through teaching and research initiatives. Email: r.v.martina@uu.nl Email: rvmartina@uu.nl
Marianna Tryfonidou is a Professor at Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, where she leads the Surgery of Companion Animals division and the Regenerative Orthopedics research group. She holds the position of EBVS® European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery and delivered her inaugural lecture on July 11, 2019. Professor Tryfonidou's research focuses on developing innovative treatments for osteoarthritis and back pain caused by intervertebral disc degeneration. Her work follows the One Health-One Medicine principle, aiming to create therapies that benefit both canine and human patients. She employs spontaneous diseased canine models as preclinical platforms for translation toward human applications, recognizing that dogs suffer from similar degenerative processes as humans. Her research has identified two primary treatment approaches: innovative drug delivery systems using biomaterials for pain relief in early-stage degeneration, and advanced stem cell therapies for advanced disc degeneration. Her iPSpine consortium received 15 million euros from the European Union to develop stem cell-based treatments that could rejuvenate worn intervertebral discs. Schimmel-Viruly Award (2008) NWO subsidy of €183,000 (2007) Tryfonidou has led multiple significant research projects including BioAID (biomimetic artificial intervertebral disc), William Hunter Revisited (cartilage repair), and ArIADNE (anti-inflammatory drug delivery systems). Her Regenerative Orthopedics group operates within the Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht (RMCU) at Utrecht Science Park and maintains a biobank containing mesenchymal stromal cells, joint cartilage, and disc tissue from both healthy and degenerated sources.
Prof. Juliette Legler is a Professor of Toxicology at Utrecht University's Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. She leads the Division of Toxicology and previously headed the Department of Population Health Sciences (2020–2022). Her research focuses on environmental contaminants' molecular mechanisms, particularly endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), microplastics, and metabolic disorders. She coordinates major EU projects like GOLIATH (testing metabolism disruptors) and the Microplastics and Human Health Consortium (MOMENTUM), investigating fetal exposure risks. She also leads the Virtual Human Platform for Safety Assessment (VHP4Safety), advancing animal-free testing methods. Education and Career: Before Utrecht, she held roles at Brunel University London (2018) and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (2001–2015), where she became a Professor of Toxicology in 2013. She is a European Registered Toxicologist and former President of the Netherlands Society of Toxicology (2019–2022). Research Interests: Her work spans EDC impacts on human and wildlife health, microplastic exposure in fetal environments, and developing in vitro models to replace animal testing. Key projects include the EURION and ENKORE clusters for EDC research and the AFARA project for regulatory acceptance of non-animal assays. Publications and Awards: Over 100 publications, including landmark studies on microplastics and EDCs. Awards include the Poulsson Prize (2018), EUROTOX Lecture Award (2024), and ZonMw Pearl Award for microplastics research. She also received the VENI and VIDI grants from NWO. Grants and Projects: Coordinates €11.4M NWO projects (VHP4Safety, AFARA) and European H2020 initiatives (GOLIATH, AURORA). Her work bridges academia, industry, and policy to address environmental health challenges. Labs/Teams: Active in IRAS, leading cross-disciplinary teams in toxicology, in vitro modeling, and environmental health. Collaborates with global networks like the EURION and AURORA consortia.
Dr. Sohrab Khatab is a Researcher in the Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at Erasmus MC, a leading medical center affiliated with Erasmus University Rotterdam. His work focuses on innovative treatments for joint disorders, particularly using stem cell therapies and regenerative medicine approaches. Dr. Khatab's research spans multiple disciplines including orthopedics, veterinary science, and regenerative medicine. His primary interests include stem cell research, arthritis treatment, intra-articular therapies, and osteoarthritis management. His work utilizes various animal models including equine, murine, and in vitro systems to develop novel treatments for joint inflammation and cartilage damage. Analysis of Dr. Khatab's publications reveals a consistent focus on regenerative approaches for joint disorders. His research demonstrates expertise in stem cell secretome applications, platelet-rich plasma therapies, and biomaterial encapsulation techniques. The work shows progression from basic in vitro studies to more complex animal models, indicating translational research aimed at clinical applications in orthopedics and sports medicine. Dr. Khatab has collaborated extensively with researchers at Erasmus MC, particularly with G. van Osch, N. Kops, K. Bos, and J. Verhaar. His work has generated significant academic interest with multiple publications accumulating substantial citations in the field of orthopedic regenerative medicine. Dr. Khatab's research is conducted within the Orthopedics and Sports Medicine department at Erasmus MC, which appears to have strong capabilities in regenerative medicine, stem cell research, and translational orthopedics. His work with both equine and murine models suggests access to comprehensive laboratory facilities for preclinical testing of novel orthopedic treatments.
Dr. Joris Robben serves as Associate Professor in Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine of Companion Animals at Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences. Since joining the faculty in 1994, he has been instrumental in developing emergency and critical care services for dogs and cats, heading the Intensive Care Unit since 1994 and overseeing emergency services since 2011. His educational journey includes: 1988: Veterinary Medicine degree from Utrecht University 1989: Additional Doctoral Examination at University of Pennsylvania 1990-1994: Specialist Training in Companion Animal Internal Medicine 2004: PhD for thesis "Insulinoma in dogs: diagnostic aspects and functional characteristics" Dr. Robben's research centers on clinical toxicology in companion animals , collaborating with the National Poisons Information Centre to enhance veterinary toxicology resources. He also investigates how ICU design, staffing models, and operational protocols impact critical patient outcomes including complication rates, length of stay, and survival. His work bridges clinical practice with evidence-based improvements in veterinary emergency medicine. His professional recognitions include: EBVS European Veterinary Specialist in Emergency and Critical Care Diplomate status in both ECVIM-CA and ECVECC Founding member of the European College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Dr. Robben has held significant leadership roles including Chairman of ECVECC (2014-2021), EBVS Board Member representing ECVECC (2012-2024), and President of EVECCS (2008-2012). He contributes to academic discourse through editorial roles for the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, and Kleintierpraxis. At Utrecht, he teaches Veterinary Medicine at both undergraduate and graduate levels, focusing on emergency medicine, critical care, and clinical skills. The 24/7 Emergency Clinic and ICU he oversees features state-of-the-art facilities staffed by veterinary specialists, emergency veterinarians, and nurses dedicated to companion animal care.
Hans Vernooij is a Lecturer in Farm Animal Health at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University. He specializes in statistical methods and data science applications in veterinary epidemiology and animal health. His areas of expertise include: Statistical methods for veterinary research Applied Data Science in Life Sciences Epidemiological modeling Machine learning applications in animal health Vernooij has extensive experience in developing statistical models for animal health applications. His research focuses on applying advanced statistical techniques and data science methods to solve problems in veterinary epidemiology and farm animal health. He has particular expertise in Random Forest models, as demonstrated during his sabbatical at the Human Sciences Research Council in Pretoria where he developed a model for HIV status prediction based on demographic information and knowledge of HIV prevention from large-scale survey data. His publication record shows consistent contributions across veterinary epidemiology, with recent work emphasizing machine learning applications and big data analytics in animal health surveillance. The research demonstrates a clear trajectory from traditional statistical methods toward more advanced data science approaches. Vernooij is actively involved in teaching and mentoring: Teaches statistics to Bachelor students at the veterinary faculty Supports PhD candidates and Master students during data analysis phases of their research Provides statistics education for the Master of Epidemiology program at the Julius Centre of University Medical Centre
Erik Weerts is a Clinician and Veterinary Pathologist (diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Pathologists) at Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Division of Pathology. He holds a PhD in Veterinary Medicine awarded in June 2023 for his thesis 'Coronaviruses in poultry: an ongoing pandemic?' Dr. Weerts' research focuses primarily on veterinary pathology with special emphasis on avian coronaviruses, particularly infectious bronchitis virus in poultry. His work spans comparative pathology, dual infection models, and molecular mechanisms of viral pathogenesis. He has published extensively on coronavirus-related topics, examining viral transmission, tissue tropism, host-pathogen interactions, and vaccine development. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong concentration on poultry diseases, particularly viral respiratory infections in chickens and turkeys. His research often examines the interplay between viral and bacterial pathogens, with significant work on infectious bronchitis virus pathogenesis and immune responses. Weerts frequently collaborates with researchers across multiple institutions, demonstrating a network spanning veterinary virology, immunology, and pathology. Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Pathologists (February 2014) PhD in Veterinary Medicine (June 2023) Dr. Weerts performs diagnostic research including necropsies on domestic, exotic and wild animals, and biopsy examination. He has significant teaching responsibilities within the veterinary medicine program and participates in research collaborations both within and outside the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, including heat stress in pigs and poultry studies with the Poultry Science Division and Population Health Sciences Department.
Dr. Berend Jan Bosch is an Associate Professor at Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, affiliated with the Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Infectious Diseases & Immunology. His research focuses on coronavirus-host interactions, viral entry mechanisms, and therapeutic development against emerging viruses including SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). His core research interests include coronavirus spike protein dynamics, host receptor interactions, viral evolution, and the development of antibody-based therapeutics and vaccines. Bosch investigates how coronaviruses jump between species and evade immune responses, with significant work on sialic acid binding domains and fusion activation mechanisms. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals strong emphasis on: 1) Structural characterization of viral proteins, 2) Development of nanobodies and monoclonal antibodies against coronaviruses, 3) Host factor identification through genetic screens, 4) Novel vaccine platforms including nanoparticle displays, and 5) Cross-species transmission mechanisms. His work consistently bridges basic virology with therapeutic applications. Dr. Bosch has received the ESCMID Research Award 2015 for his contributions to infectious disease research. He leads the Bosch research group within the Utrecht Molecular Immunology Hub, collaborating extensively on international coronavirus research initiatives and therapeutic development projects.
Professor Alain de Bruin (born 1968) is a distinguished academic at Utrecht University, serving as Professor in the Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Since January 1, 2020, he has been Head of the Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences. His academic journey began with veterinary medicine studies at the University of Hannover in Germany, followed by a PhD from the University of Bern in Switzerland in 1999. After specializing in veterinary pathology and completing a postdoctoral position at Ohio State University, he was appointed professor of pathobiology at Utrecht University in 2005. In 2010, he founded the Netherlands Molecular Pathology Center (UU/UMCG) and became an honorary professor of molecular pathology at the University of Groningen in 2014. Professor de Bruin's research primarily focuses on cancer biology, liver pathology, tumor suppression mechanisms, and aging processes. His expertise includes in vivo modeling, cell cycle analysis, generating transgenic mouse models, pathological analysis of animal disease models, and single-cell transcriptomics. His work centers on proteins that regulate cell proliferation, particularly E2F transcription factors, which he has discovered play critical roles in inhibiting cancer cell growth. His research themes span Life Sciences, Regenerative Medicine, and the Utrecht Platform for Organoid Technology. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent research trajectory centered on cell cycle regulation, particularly the atypical E2F transcription factors (E2F7 and E2F8), and their roles in cancer development, polyploidization, and liver disease. His work demonstrates how these factors influence tumor suppression, angiogenesis, and cellular responses to DNA damage. The publications span multiple disciplines including cancer biology, molecular oncology, hepatology, and regenerative medicine, with applications in both human and veterinary medicine. Professor de Bruin has held significant leadership positions, including chairing the research council (2017-2019) and coordinating the 'Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cells, and Cancer' research program (2013-2019). He serves on the editorial board of 'Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology' and participates in review committees for NWO-Rubicon/Veni, the research alliance UTwente/UU/UMCU, and the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Ohio State University. His laboratory work has made significant contributions to understanding how E2F transcription factors regulate cell proliferation, with implications for developing novel cancer therapy strategies. His research on polyploidization mechanisms has provided insights into liver regeneration and tumor development, while his work on senescence has implications for aging-related diseases.
Sabrina Santos Oliveira is an Associate Professor with a shared position between the Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics division of the Department of Biology and the Pharmaceutics division of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Utrecht University's Faculty of Science. Her research focuses on Molecular Targeted Therapies, particularly using nanobodies to enhance the selectivity of photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment. Dr. Oliveira received her initial introduction to Utrecht University through an internship at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2004 during her studies at the Faculty of Pharmacy of Coimbra University in Portugal. After graduation, she obtained an individual doctoral grant from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) to complete her PhD research on Targeted Cancer Therapies (2004-2008). She then worked as a postdoc on nanobody-based tracers for optical molecular imaging (2008-2012). In 2012, she was awarded a VENI grant from the Netherlands Organisation for Research (NWO-STW), which allowed her to start her own research line focused on rendering photodynamic therapy more selective to cancer cells using nanobodies. In 2016, she received a Starting Grant from the European Research Council (ERC) to continue her research. She was appointed Assistant Professor in July 2016 and Associate Professor in May 2019. Dr. Oliveira's research group focuses on developing and evaluating improved therapies directed at relevant molecular targets. Her work primarily centers on nanobody-targeted photodynamic therapy, which uses the small size and binding specificity of nanobodies to target photosensitizers specifically to cancer cells. This approach aims to improve the selectivity of photodynamic therapy, which is currently limited by the non-specific interaction of hydrophobic photosensitizers with all cell types. Her ERC-funded KILLCANCER project (Starting Grant #677582) has investigated the mechanism of nanobody-targeted PDT and evaluated this approach in larger animals, with the goal of translating findings to human patients. The research has potential applications in treating various cancers, including feline oral carcinoma, which is being studied in collaboration with the University Clinic for Companion Animal Health. Analysis of Dr. Oliveira's recent publications reveals a strong focus on translating nanobody technology from basic research to clinical applications. Her work spans multiple therapeutic areas including cancer treatment, viral infection therapies, and advanced drug delivery systems. The research demonstrates significant translational potential, with applications in both human and veterinary medicine, particularly in improving cancer treatment options through more selective targeting approaches. VENI grant from Netherlands Organisation for Research (NWO-STW) (2012) Starting Grant from European Research Council (ERC) (2016) Individual doctoral grant from Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) Dr. Oliveira's laboratory includes a technician, multiple postdocs, and PhD students working on various aspects of nanobody-targeted therapies. Her research has been highlighted by the Morris Animal Foundation as a promising new treatment for cats suffering from oral squamous cell carcinoma, demonstrating the translational potential of her work from bench to bedside (and clinic). The collaborative nature of her research is evident in the numerous collaborations with other departments and institutions, including the University Medical Center Utrecht and veterinary clinics.
Fabien Filaire serves as a Researcher within the Virology department at Erasmus MC, a leading academic medical center in the Netherlands. His professional focus lies in the intricate study of viral pathogens, with particular emphasis on influenza A viruses of the H5N1 subtype and their implications for public and animal health. Dr. Filaire's research portfolio encompasses a diverse range of virological investigations. Key areas of interest include: Avian Influenza (H5N1) pathogenesis and evolution Viral shedding mechanisms and transmission dynamics Zoonotic potential of influenza viruses Inter-species transmission, particularly between birds, mammals, and humans Veterinary aspects of influenza in livestock, including dairy cattle Use of animal models (such as ferrets) for influenza research His recent scholarly contributions demonstrate significant impact in understanding pandemic risks. The 2025 Nature Microbiology publication established a direct correlation between airborne viral shedding and mammalian transmissibility of H5N1, while the 2024 Lab Animal article analyzed the emergence of H5N1 in US dairy cattle and its potential to enhance cross-species transmission. These works collectively address critical gaps in predicting and mitigating influenza outbreaks with pandemic potential. Although the provided documentation does not detail any formal student mentorship activities, grant funding, or laboratory affiliations, Dr. Filaire's collaborative research network appears extensive, as evidenced by multi-institutional authorship on his publications. No scientific awards are mentioned in the current profile.