Prof. Dr. Jaap van Hellemond
Bio:
Jaap van Hellemond received his Master degree in Medical Biology and his PhD on the anaerobic energy metabolism of parasites at Utrecht University. From 2007 onwards he is associate professor in parasitology at the Erasmus MC University Medical Center in Rotterdam. His research is mainly focused on studying the interaction between tropical parasites and naieve adults originating from high-income countries. He aims to extend the knowledge on infectious diseases that differ markedly in terms of pathogenesis and diagnostic tools between non-endemic, high-income regions and endemic, low-income regions such as sub-Sahara Africa. At the moment he is involved in an ambitious project (eWHORM) in cooperation with European and African research institutes to tackle the persistent threat of worm infections (helminthiases) in developing countries, to strengthen the local healthcare systems.
Dr. Charissa de Bekker
Bio:
Dr. Charissa de Bekker obtained her PhD at Utrecht University in the field of fungal genetics. She is now an associate professor and group leader at Utrecht University. Her research revolves around parasites that can change host behavior. Currently, her research group is investigating manipulated behavior shown by (zombie) ants that are infected with fungal species of the genus Ophiocordyceps. Her research aim is to discover how parasites can affect the behavior of their host on a molecular level, thereby answering fundamental questions that could lead to the discovery of novel bioactive compounds that can be used in more sustainable pest control or have medical applications.
Dr. Yvonne Vercoulen
Bio:
Yvonne Vercoulen is an associate professor and group leader at UMC Utrecht, within the Center for Molecular Medicine. As a PhD and postdoc, she worked on T cell immunology. Her group focuses on unravelling the different types of cells that are present in the tissue microenvironment in context of a disease, such as cancer, and how these cells interact with each other. To understand these processes, they develop and implement mass cytometry (CyTOF), which is a novel technique that allows single cell analysis. With this innovative tool, it is possible to analyze tissue sections in great detail and identify cells and their behavior and location. Besides that, Yvonne is also scientific director of UCyTOF and selected member of Utrecht Young Academy.
