I am a clinical neurologist and epidemiologist with additional extensive training in neuropathology, neuroradiology, bioinformatics & data science. During my professional career I have worked both as a researcher and a clinician at several different research institutes and university hospitals in three different countries (i.e., Netherlands Institute of Neuroscience & Leiden University Medical Centre (NL), UCL Institute of Neurology & National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (UK), and German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases & University Clinic Bonn (Germany)).

As a neurologist, I am specialized in HD and other movement and neurogenetic disorders. As a scientist, I have undertaken research activities across multiple disciplines, with a primary focus on neurogenetic and neurodegenerative disorders, especially HD, and genetic epidemiology.

I have published over 100 peer-reviewed scientific papers, including a large number on different aspects of HD. Since 2019 I am an elected member of the SBAC of the EHDN, serving as its co-chair from 2020 to 2022, and as its chair from 2022 onwards. In addition, I am a member of the ‘Clinical Trials Review Committee’ and was part of the ‘EHDN Strategic Plan 2022-2026 Committee’. In these capacities, I have been closely involved in reviewing and assessing a large number of seed fund applications and clinical trial protocols over several years.

As the SBAC chair, I also had the opportunity to attend and closely interact with the EHDN’s Executive Committee, which I not only enjoyed very much, but which also convinced me of the extremely valuable and important role Executive Committee members could play for the benefit of both HD research and care. Altogether, I hope to continu to contribute to the EHDN’s goal of stimulating and fostering innovative and clinically relevant research in HD. My mission is to contribute to a better life for all people living with HD.