As head of research and innovation, I am responsible for the innovation of the department's patient care through translational scientific research. At the research institute of the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek I lead the Diagnostic Translational Oncology section and I am group leader of a research group that conducts research into biomarker development for early detection, prognosis and predicting response to therapy in colon cancer. In addition, I am involved in local and (inter) national research infrastructure programs, especially in the field of biobanking and related areas.
As a pathologist you can see the disease process in detail through the microscope. You try to analyze and classify your observations and think about what they mean for the diagnosis and treatment of the patient. Due to the rise of 'Personalized Medicine' (tailor-made treatment), the field of pathology is in full swing, and this certainly also applies to our department. Due to the unique bridging function that pathology fulfills between the research into mechanisms of disease and the application of that knowledge in the clinic, pathology is a pivot in the translational research of the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek.
