Steven Wijnen

In January 2024, I joined the research groups of Christian Blank and Lodewyk Wessels at the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) as a PhD student.

I have a background in Computer Science, where I became increasingly interested in applying computational techniques to biomedical challenges. This interest motivated me to pursue a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics, where I focused on using data-driven approaches to better understand the mechanisms of disease.

My PhD research focuses on neoadjuvant immunotherapy in melanoma, with an emphasis on identifying biomarkers that predict treatment outcomes. Using data from RNA and DNA sequencing, I investigate the biological mechanisms underlying therapy response, primarily within the stage III NADINA trial cohort. A significant part of my work involves spatial transcriptomics and genomic analyses, with the ultimate aim of contributing to more personalized and effective treatment strategies for melanoma patients.

I am excited to be part of the NKI, a world-class institute that offers a highly collaborative and inspiring environment for cancer research.