Medicine and Health Sciences

Public defences

Attend a phd defence or find the archive of concluded doctoral research

Public defences

Attend a phd defence or find the archive of concluded doctoral research

MILESTONE: The role of sleep in the well-being of Belgian Occupational drivers - An-Marie Schyvens (09/10/2026)

An-Marie Schyvens

  • 9 October 2026
  • Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building Q - D.Q.002 or ​
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: Prof. J. Verbraecken

Understanding Transfers from Nursing Homes to Emergency Departments: Patterns, perceptions by healthcare professionals, and prediction of mortality - Sabine Lemoyne (30/09/2026)

Sabine Lemoyne

  • 30 September 2026
  • Time: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building Q - D.Q.002 ​
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: Prof. P. Van Bogaert and prof. K. Monsieurs

A breath of fresh air: Volatile biomarkers in exhaled breath for the early detection of pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer - Kathleen Zwijsen (29/09/2026)

Kathleen Zwijsen

  • 29 September 2026
  • Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building Q - D.Q.002 or ​
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: em.Prof. J. Van Meerbeeck, Prof. K. Lamote, dr E. Marcq

Between caring and counting: Maternal and newborn health data from Tanzanian maternity wards to global indicators - Jil Molenaar (14/09/2026)

Jil Molenaar

  • 14 September 2026
  • Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Venue: auditorium Nationalestraat, Institute of  Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000 Antwerp or online
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: Prof. J. van Olmen, prof. L. Benova, prof. Andra Pembe and prof. Claudia Hanson


Summary

We have more data on maternal and newborn health (MNH) than ever before. Much of what we know about the health of women and babies around the time of childbirth in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) comes from large survey studies, conducted every few years, that ask thousands of women about their pregnancies and births. More and more, we are also relying on data collected routinely. These are data recorded by healthcare workers (HCWs) about the health status of women and babies and about the care they receive. The ambition is that these data tell us how mothers and newborns are faring so that we can focus our efforts to keep improving their health.

MNH data are not neutral. Behind every number is a person who recorded it, and a system that decided it mattered to capture that information. MNH data influence how HCWs are supervised and judged, how money is allocated, and how care is provided. This thesis asks what the MNH measurement system looks like from the inside: how global measurement priorities are experienced by the HCWs, managers, and policymakers responsible for making them work. It focuses specifically on Tanzania, alongside research at the international level.

The research in Tanzania involved observations and interviews with people across the health system, ranging from HCWs in hospital labour wards to managers at district and regional level, and national-level policymakers. Starting from the labour ward, the research highlights the challenges HCWs face in recording data in multiple paper registers and digital systems. Although new digital systems are helpful, they do not take away the resource shortages and time constraints which make it difficult to produce accurate, timely data. The research also shows that many HCWs feel the data are not meant for them. When information flows upward to managers and donors without returning anything useful, HCWs document for reporting purposes only. And when linked to top-down targets and fear of blame, data become ‘political things’ which are sometimes strategically handled or manipulated as a form of self-protection. These dynamics undermine the accuracy of the data and their usefulness to improve care. The research also shows that when it comes to understanding the quality of the health services provided to women and newborns, data only ever tell part of the story. Routine data systems can capture how many women gave birth and whether certain procedures were carried out, but detailed information about care processes and women’s experience of care are challenging to capture in routine health data.

The research also included observations and interviews at the international level with the technical experts, international agencies and donors who shape which indicators matter and what countries should report on. This highlighted how the ambition to measure more and more has resulted in long lists of indicators, placing a heavy burden on already stretched health systems. The fundamental purpose of global measurement – who it is really for – repeatedly came into question. Global data systems have largely been built to give donors and international agencies evidence that progress is made and that their money is well spent, rather than to help local teams improve healthcare. Recent cuts to major international data programmes showed just how fragile this system is.

What connects the labour ward in Mtwara to international meeting rooms is a consistent finding: data travel readily upward, while the people capturing data closest to patients are least supported to use these data. This thesis shows how this is the result of measurement systems built around the information needs of distant decision-makers, rather than around the needs of people close to care provision. Changing this requires a different starting point. Health information systems should be designed primarily to be relevant for HCWs and local leaders, not as an afterthought. Investment should go into data that stay local and support local decisions, even if they never appear in a global report. And any investment in collecting data should be matched by equal investment in helping people understand and act on data. Ultimately, data about women and newborns should be useful for the people caring for women and newborns. A health system that learns from itself starts there.

De darmbarrière in het prikkelbare darmsyndroom: inzichten uit preklinische diermodellen - Nikita Hanning (09/09/2026)

Nikita Hanning

  • 9 September 2026
  • Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building O - D.O.1​
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: Prof. B. De Winter, Prof. H. De Schepper, Prof. A. Smet

From antibody kinetics to correlates of protection: insights from within-host mathematical models - Irene Garcia-Fogeda (07/09/2026)

Irene Garcia-Fogeda

  • 7 September 2026
  • Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building Q - D.Q.002 or online
  • Joint PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof; N. Hens and prof. S. Abrams

Evaluating Community-Based Implementation Strategies for HIV Prevention, Viral Load Monitoring, and Integrated HIV–Hepatitis C Care Among Key Affected Populations in Myanmar - Ni Ni Tun (03/09/2026)

Ni Ni Tun

  • 3 September 2026
  • Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Venue: aula Janssens, Institute of  Tropical Medicine, Sint Rochusstraat 43, 2000 Antwerp or online
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof. J. van Olmen, prof. T. Decroo, prof. C. Conlon and prof. L. Lynen

Deprescribing medications in nursing homes: Using big data to study real‑world implementation and effects on end‑of‑life-relevant outcomes - Degefaye Zelalem Anlay (02/09/2026)

Degefaye Zelalem Anlay

  • 2 September 2026
  • Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building Q - D.Q.002 or ​
  • Joint PhD defence
  • Supervisors: Prof. T. Dilles, prof. J. Cohen and dr. K. Paque


SUMMARY

Nursing home residents often take many medicines, some of which may no longer be helpful at the end of life and can even cause harm. Although deprescribing, the stopping or reducing of unnecessary medicines, is increasingly recommended in guidelines, it remains unclear how well this is reflected in practice and evidence on the effects of stopping these medicines remains limited, especially on outcomes that matter most, such as quality-of-life-related outcomes.

To strengthen the evidence base, I first reviewed existing deprescribing tools and guidelines, finding that the overall level of evidence is low and recommendations are often inconsistent.

Then, using linked healthcare reimbursement data, I analysed deprescribing trends over time, the impact of guidelines on actual practice, and rate of reinitiation of discontinued medicines, and conducted interviews with healthcare professionals to explore barriers and enablers. The results show that deprescribing occurs in only about 1 in 3 residents, has small declined over time, and that 1 in 5 discontinued medicines are restarted, while international guidelines did not change practice, indicating that deprescribing is not yet well embedded in routine care. Additionally, I investigated the effects of deprescribing proton pump inhibitors and found that it did not worsen quality-of-life outcomes while reducing hospital admissions, highlighting its potential to reduce low-value care, although it did not improve patient experience.

Finally, I conducted a case study on challenges in accessing and using data, finding that access is often slow and complex, which limits timely evidence generation. Future efforts should focus on stronger implementation strategies, broader evidence across medications, and more efficient access to healthcare data.

"Buen Vivir” Through integrated health care: optimizing intercultural collaboration in rural areas in Ecuador - Maria Estefania Bautista Valarezo (01/09/2026)

Maria Estefania Bautista Valarezo

  • 1 September 2026
  • Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Venue: ​
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof. N. Michels, prof. V. Verhoeven and em.prof. K. Hendrickx

Markets, Laws, and Ethics: socio-economic, legal, and ethical dimensions of Substandard and Falsified medicines in Ethiopia - Akalework Babanto (08/07/2026)

Akalework Babanto

  • 8 July 2026
  • Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Venue: Ա​
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: Prof. H. Bastiaens, prof. L. Gibson, prof. R. Dingwall and prof. R. Ravinetto

The Last Mile of Onchocerciasis Elimination: Optimizing and Adapting Intervention Packages with Evidence from Ghana and Cameroon - Rogers Nditanchou (06/07/2026)

Rogers Nditanchou

  • 6 July 2026
  • Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Venue: ​
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: Prof. V. Verhoeven, prof. J. Siewe Fodjo and em.prof. R. Colebunders

Balanced Care Teams: A Systems Approach to Nursing Workforce Design - Senne Vleminckx (02/07/2026)

Senne Vleminckx

  • 2 July 2026
  • Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building Q - D.Q.002 ​
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: Em.prof. P. Van Bogaert, prof. L. Willem, prof. K. De Meulenaere

Reducing the burden of onchocerciasis: A focus on onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy morbidity, mortality and prevention - Luis-Jorge Teles de Meneses (29/06/2026)

Luis-Jorge Teles de Meneses do Amaral

  • 29 June 2026
  • Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building Q - D.Q.002 or ​
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: Em.Prof. R. Colebunders, prof. M.G. Basáñez and prof. I. Mertens

The biological mechanisms associated with BDSM interactions in dominants and submissives - Elise Wuyts (08/06/2026)

Elise Wuyts

  • 8 June 2026
  • Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building Q - D.Q.002 or ​
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisor: Prof. M. Morrens

Decoding Cerebral Palsy: from genetic aetiologies to underlying pathomechanisms - Liene Thys (03/06/2026)

Liene Thys

  • 3 June 2026
  • Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building Q - D.Q.002
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof. B. Ceulemans, prof. M. Meuwissen and dr. K. Janssens

The role and reversibility of vascular alterations in the development, progression and regression of metabolic dysfunction - associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) - Shivani Chotkoe (02/06/2026)

Shivani Chotkoe

  • 2 June 2026
  • Time: 5.30 PM - 7.30 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building O - D.O.5 - or
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof. S Franque, prof. L Vonghia and prof. W Kwanten

Understanding the Impact of Screening and Treatment Strategies on Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Antimicrobial Resistance Among MSM in Belgium Using Network Models - Achilleas Tsoumanis (02/06/2026)

Achilleas Tsoumanis

  • 2 June 2026
  • Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Venue: aula Janssens, ITM, Rochusstraat 43, 2000 Antwerpen or ​
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof. N Hens and prof. C. Kenyon

Association of SARS-CoV-2 variants and quasispecies with transmissibility, disease severity, and immune evasion - Mathias Smet (29/05/2026)

Mathias Smet

  • 29 May 2026
  • Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building S - D.S.1  or
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof. S Malhotra and prof. S Kumar-Singh

Child Undernutrition and Change in Body Composition: the Role of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and other Factors - Idalécia Cossa Moiane (29/05/2026)

Idalécia Cossa Moiane

  • 29 May 2026
  • Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Venue: aula Nationalestraat, ITM, Nationalestraat 155, 2000 Antwerpen
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: Prof. J.P. Van geertruyden, prof. K. Polman, prof. N. de Deus, prof. C. Doak

Understanding and addressing the double burden of malnutrition at the household level in Guatemala - Diana Cabrera Sagastume de Somers (11/05/2026)

Diana Sagastume Cabrebra de Somers

  • 11 May 2026
  • Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Venue: aula Janssens, ITM, Rochusstraat 43, 2000 Antwerpen or ​
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof. J. L. Peñalvo, prof. L. Benova, dr. M. Ramírez-Zea, prof. K. Polman and prof. J. van Omen

Insights into adaptation and evolutionary dynamics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in mechanically ventilated patients - Thomas van der Schalk (30/04/2026)

Thomas van der Schalk

  • 30 April 2026
  • Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building O - D.O.3
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof. S. Malhotra, prof. G. Glupczynski and em. prof. H. Goossens

Strategies to accelerate malaria reduction towards elimination in Uganda: Is mass drug administration suitable in a high-transmission setting? - Ronald Mulebeke (28/04/2026)

Ronald Mulebeke

  • 28 April 2026
  • Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building O - D.O.02 and ​
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof. JP. Van geertruyden and dr A. Yeka

Development and validation of a home sleep apnea test using peripheral arterial tonometry - Steven Vits (21/04/2026)

Steven Vits

  • 21 April 2026
  • Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building O - D.O.06 or ​
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisor: prof. J. Verbraecken

Mesenchymal cells from the amniotic membrane as a therapeutic strategy to contrast neuroinflammation - Alexandro Bufi (20/04/2026)

Alexandro Bufi

  • 20 April 2026
  • Start: 11:30 AM
  • Venue: ​Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, IT
  • Joint PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof. P. Ponsaerts and prof. O. Parolini

Unlocking asylum seekers’ voices. Clinical study on the use of the Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) with asylum seekers in Belgium - Lukas Claus (31/03/2026)

Lukas Claus

  • 31 March 2026
  • Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Venue: Stadscampus - Promotiezaal, Lange St-Annastraat 7, 2000 Antwerpen or online . Please register ​
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof. M. Destoop, em.prof. B. Sabbe and dr. S. van den Ameele

Surgical Rehabilitation of Facial Paralysis In The Head And Neck Patient - Callum Faris (19/03/2026)

Callum Faris

  • 19 March 2026
  • Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building O - D.O.05 or ​
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof. O. Vanderveken and prof. V. Van Rompaey

Between guidelines and practice: exploring how clinicians conceptualise and manage Low Back Pain - Rob Vanderstraeten (17/03/2026)

Rob Vanderstraeten

  • 17 March 2026
  • Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building O - D.O.05
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof. N. Roussel, prof. J. Michielsen and prof. S. Anthierens

The FINOSA study: Factors Influencing Outcome after Shoulder Arthroplasty - Anke Claes (16/03/2026)

Anke Claes

  • 16 March 2026
  • Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building O - D.O.05
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof. F. Struyf and prof. O. Verborgt

Hooked on Translation: leveraging next-generation models to advance interpretation of cardiac variants of uncertain significance, a Brugada syndrome perspective - Bert Vandendriessche (16/03/2026)

Bert Vandendriessche

  • 16 March 2026
  • Time: 5 PM - 7 PM
  • Venue: UZA, auditorium Kinsbergen
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof. B. Loeys, prof. M. Alaerts and dr. D. Schepers

Selective pulmonary artery perfusion combined with blood flow occlusion as a novel treatment for lung malignancies - Erik Claes (11/03/2026)

Erik Claes

  • 11 March 2026
  • Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building Q - D.Q.002
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof. J. Hendriks and prof. S. Verleden

Further insights in pubic-related groin pain: Is an Arcuate Pubic Ligament injury a possible cause of athletic pubalgia? - Thomas Mathieu (25/02/2026)

Thomas Mathieu

  • 25 February 2026
  • Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building O - D.O.08
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: Prof. F. Van Glabbeek, dr. L. Denteneer and dr. L. Van Nassau

Design and evaluation of novel PET strategies to evaluate immunotherapy response - Louis Lauwerys (23/02/2026)

Louis Lauwerys

  • 23 February 2026
  • Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building O - D.O.1
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof. F. Elvas and prof. P. Van Der Veken

Finite element modelling of intraocular lens positions inside the capsular bag - Liying Feng (23/02/2026)

Liying Feng

  • 23 February 2026
  • Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building R - D.R.4
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof. J. Rozema and dr. H. Weeber

Rationally designed drug combination screen in more physiologically relevant in vitro organoid models: can we improve personalized therapy for pancreatic cancer? - Maxim Le Compte (28/01/2026)

Maxim Le Compte

  • 28 January 2026
  • Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building Q - D.Q.002
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof. C. Deben, prof. G. Roeyen and prof. M. Peeters

Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) for internees: Effectivity on forensic and non-forensic outcome and Substance Use as a factor related to outcome - Thomas Marquant (27/01/2026)

Thomas Marquant

  • 27 January 2026
  • Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building Q - D.Q.002
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof. K. Goethals and em.prof. B. Sabbe

Health Technology Assessment of a decision support system to tackle antimicrobial resistance - Erinn D'hulster (27/01/2026)

Erinn D'hulster

  • 27 January 2026
  • Time: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
  • Venue: KULeuven, Aula O&N5, 04.112, ON5 Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven
  • Joint PhD defence
  • Supervisors:prof.  J. Verbakel, prof. J. Luyten, prof. S. ANthierens and prof. S. Coenen

COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and lactation: towards an ideal maternal vaccine platform? - Larissa De Brabandere (22/01/2026)

Larissa De Brabandere

  • 22 January 2026
  • Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building Q - D.Q.002
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof. K. Maertens and prof. P. Van Damme

Investigating colistin (hetero)resistance and the impact of decolonization strategies on resistance emergence in multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae - Sahaya Glingston Rajakani (19/01/2026)

Sahaya Rajakani

  • 19 January 2026
  • Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Venue: ​
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof. S. Malhotra and dr. G. Glupczynski

The Immunomodulatory Effects of Exercise in Viral and Vaccine-Associated Myocarditis - Sander Eens (09/01/2026)

Sander Eens

  • 9 January 2026
  • Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Venue: Campus Drie Eiken - building O - D.O.4
  • PhD defence
  • Supervisors: prof. PJ. Guns, prof. H. Heidbuchel, prof. T. Roskams