UAntwerp – Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences
Blog Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences
Dr. Vanesa Nozal García, from Valladolid in Spain, works as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Antwerp. Under supervision of Professor Pieter Van Der Veken in the Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, she researches Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and focusses on a new methodology: targeted protein degradation.
As we celebrate this International Women’s Day, we’re excited to highlight the incredible women researchers of the University of Antwerp Cell Death Signaling lab, led by Prof. Wim Vanden Berghe, Prof. Tom Vanden Berghe, and Prof. Andy Wullaert. Their pioneering research explores the complex molecular mechanisms underlying cell death processes in various diseases, offering hope for therapeutic advancements in conditions ranging from cancer to neurodegenerative disorders.
Je hebt meer gemeen met een zebravink dan je op het eerste zicht zou denken. Wetenschapper in de biochemie Jolien Diddens onderzocht voor haar doctoraat aan de Universiteit Antwerpen het belang van DNA-methylatie bij het sluiten van de kritische periode waarin zebravinken hun zang leren. Jolien Diddens studeerde biochemie en biotechnologie aan de Universiteit Antwerpen waar ze in 2012 haar master behaalde. Datzelfde jaar begon Jolien aan haar doctoraat in het labo van prof. Wim Vanden Berghe.
Dr. Daniel Mukadi-Bamuleka is a medical virologist from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with over ten years of experience in controlling epidemic diseases such as Ebola, Monkeypox, Measles, Chikungunya, Poliovirus, and HIV. He has been directly involved in coordinating laboratory responses for six Ebola virus disease outbreaks in the DRC, including the deadliest outbreak in the country’s history (2018-2020).
I’m Dr. Ayşe Candayan-Niron, an MSCA-funded postdoctoral researcher in the Molecular Neurogenomics Group. I research Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a group of rare inherited disorders affecting the peripheral nervous system. More than 100 genes and thousands of mutations can cause this disease, however approximately 35% of patients still lack a genetic diagnosis. My goal is to bridge this diagnostic gap by finding new genes that can lead to this pathology.
In recognition of the need for gender equality and empowering women and girls in science, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 11th February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. On this special occasion, let us celebrate the achievements and contributions of some of the remarkable women scientists in our faculty!
My name is Dr. Leen Vendredy and I recently obtained my PhD in Biotechnology and Biochemistry. My research focused on neuromuscular diseases caused by mutations in the small heat shock protein HSPB8. My goal was to better understand the underlying mechanisms of these diseases and to identify potential therapeutic approaches. My PhD supervisor was Prof. Vincent Timmerman from the Peripheral Neuropathies group.
I’m Greta Klejborowska and I’m a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, led by Prof. Koen Augustyns. My research is focused on the development of novel ferroptosis inhibitors. But what exactly is ferroptosis and why is it important to block or inhibit it?
I am Auchi Inalegwu and during the past 5 years I have been working on obtaining my PhD in Biomedical Sciences. My research has focused on using different cellular and molecular techniques to study breast cancer cells, with the goal of identifying biomarkers for radiation resistance.
I’m Lorenzo Cianni and my research focuses on targeting autophagy in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. I was awarded a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral grant for this specific project. I’ll be working with Prof. Pieter Van Der Veken and Prof. Wim Martinet to tackle tissue-specific induction of autophagy as an innovative therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
In order to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, the United Nations General Assembly declared 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science in 2015. We’d like to celebrate this special day by introducing you to some of our excellent women researchers!
I’m Gaëlle Houthaeve and for the past 5 years I have been doing an interdisciplinary PhD with Prof. Winnok De Vos in the Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology and Prof. Kevin Braeckmans. My PhD research has focused on vapor nanobubble photoporation, which uses laser light (“photo”) to generate vapor nanobubbles, which are able to porate the plasma membrane of cells (“poration”).