Kaatje Lenaerts

Kaatje Lenaerts studied Biomedical Sciences (BSc) and Medical Biochemistry (MSc) at the University of Antwerp (Belgium) and obtained her PhD in Human Biology at Maastricht University (2007), focusing on nutrient-gene regulations and their implications for gut health. She then joined the Department of Surgery to strengthen the clinical relevance and translational impact of her work. Currently appointed as an Associate Professor, she has built a comprehensive research program to unravel mechanisms underlying compromised gut integrity and to identify and validate biomarkers of intestinal dysfunction in surgical patients. She views the gut as a key therapeutic target - integrating its digestive, metabolic and barrier functions - to reduce adverse outcomes and improve recovery. Her research integrates patient studies with organoid-based approaches and advanced molecular profiling to uncover actionable mechanisms and inform targeted interventions to strengthen barrier function and mucosal immunity. Her work is supported by public and private funding, including public-private collaborations, from organizations including NWO, ZonMw, MDL Fonds, and LSH-TKI (Health~Holland). Alongside her research, she is an experienced educator in Biomedical Sciences and Medicine Master programs and serves on the Faculty Council, while also holding roles in national and international scientific committees, reflecting her active engagement in the scientific community.