I obtained my double-doctorate on muscle physiology in 2009 from the Manchester Metropolitan University and the Vrije University Amsterdam, in which I studied why smokers are more prone to exercise intolerance and fatigue. From 2009-2012, I worked at the University of Leeds (UK) on the control of mitochondrial respiration during exercise. After returning to the Netherlands, I worked on various projects related to cardiac metabolism and mitochondrial function at the Amsterdam UMC, locations VUmc and AMC. Since 2019, I am assistant-professor at the Department of Human Movement Sciences of the VU University. I am involved in teaching and research in the areas of exercise and clinical immunology, exercise and muscle physiology and am a regular supervisor of BSc and MSc internships. I am involved in a large ESA/NASA-funded bedrest-study where the effects of microgravity are studied on the cellular and molecular level, and we perform a large study understanding fatigue in patients with Long COVID and ME/CVS. I received various grants from ZonMW, ME Research UK, Solve ME, The Physiological Society, Dutch Heart Foundation, European Association for the Study of Diabetes, and others.

Since 2024, I am heading the section Physiology at the Department of Human Movement Sciences 

General interests

My main research interest lies in the regulation of cardiac and skeletal muscle metabolism and mitochondrial function. I am interested in the fundamental aspects of skeletal muscle metabolism, mitochondrial bio-energetics as well as its consequence for whole cell and organ function. To study this, I use research methods ranging from imaging and spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy and cellular and molecular techniques, ranging from cell culture to the human body.

Achievements

I have contributed to the understanding of how the skeletal muscle cell is able to adapt mitochondrial ATP production to demand. For this, I investigate muscle oxygen uptake under various conditions. Because of the link between mitochondrial dysfunction and exercise intolerance, and cardiac dysfunction, I have contributed to further understanding the consequences of mitochondrial dysfunction to functional outcomes in different conditions and chronic diseases. Some examples include the understanding of fatigue in current smokers and COPD patients, metabolic dysfunction in patients with right ventricular heart failure and cardiac dysfunction in patients with diabetes. More recently, our work on skeletal muscle abnormalities in Long COVID attracted worldwide attention in >250 media outlets, patient organisations and social media.  

Current Research

My current research involves different projects in the area of 1) Muscle atrophy and metabolic alterations after inactivity (in collaboration with ESA/NASA), 2) Exercise capacity in various patient populations, in particular Long COVID and ME/CFS, 3) Development of new techniques assessing fundamental mitochondrial function in skeletal and cardiac muscle, and 4) Effects of inflammation on cardiac and skeletal muscle function.

Currently, I am (co)coordinate the following courses:

Exercise and Clinical Immunology (Research Master Human Movement Sciences)

Applied Exercise Physiology (BSc Human Movement Sciences)

Hormones and Homeostasis (Amsterdam University College)

I supervise students during their internships and literature review projects. Over the years, I have gathered a large network of collaborating scientists across the planet, including all over Europe, Japan, USA and Canada. This can provide ample opportunities for students to find internships abroad, please contact me for more information.

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