Projects
Optimization and implementation of emerging technologies to improve radiation therapy of head-and-neck cancer KU Leuven
External beam radiotherapy (RT) is considered a cornerstone in the treatment of head-and-neck cancer (HNC). The main goal of RT is to administer a sufficient dose to induce a cell killing effect in the targeted malignant cells, hereby maximizing tumor control, while limiting the dose to the healthy organs-at-risk (OAR), hereby minimizing radiation-induced toxicities. Enhanced geometric targeting has been crucial to reduce toxicities in photon ...
Artificial Lithographic MODel for COrNeal drug Screening Ghent University
The cornea is the transparent window to the eye and as such, eye drops are an interesting route of drug administration. In this project, we propose the development of a 3D corneal cell model that can be used to investigate corneal drug interaction. Studies that aim to simulate the pharmacokinetics and toxicological properties of drugs are mainly based on oversimplified 2D monocultures or animal studies that suffer from interspecies ...
The Rheological and Shrinkage Behaviour of Fe-rich Slag-based Binders KU Leuven
The global anthropogenic CO2 emission, which is considered the main contributor to global warming, is exponentially increasing yearly. The proportion of CO2 emission from construction is around 8-9% and is expected to become more significant in future, as the demand for raw materials in construction, such as ordinary Portland cement (OPC), increases every year. The production of OPC is environmentally unfriendly and the availability of ...
TOWARDS TRIAL READINESS IN HEREDITARY NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASES: Developing accurate, feasible and non-invasive outcome measures. KU Leuven
To evaluate the effect of a new treatment in clinical trials, we first need an adequate knowledge of the natural history of the disease in question, and a set of outcome measures to evaluate disease progression. Additionally, these outcome measures should be sensitive, reliable, objective, non-invasive and feasible. This thesis aims to improve trial readiness for three hereditary neuromuscular diseases: LGMDR12, BMD and SMA.
In ...
Automated assessment of cardiac morphology and function: An integrated B-spline framework for real-time segmentation and tracking of the left ventricle KU Leuven
With the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, the need for advanced diagnosis systems that are able to detect early cardiac dysfunction are now needed more than ever. Real-time 3D echocardiography has made its way into clinical practice over the last decade and is now generally accepted as a competitive alternative to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for volumetric assessment of left ventricular morphology and function. ...
Exploiting the network architecture of bioactive thiol-ene photo-crosslinkable polymers for nasal cartilage tissue engineering. Ghent University
With over 355,000 surgeries each year, rhinoplasties are amongst the most performed facial reconstructive surgeries worldwide. Nasal cartilage defects can be caused by congenital defects, trauma or cancer. Generally, nasal cartilage reconstruction is required to avoid concomitant impairment of breathing. However, current gold standards (autografts and permanent synthetic implants) remain suboptimal. In my PhD, I will exploit tissue ...
Three dimensional investigation of the atomic structure of MOFs by in situ transmission electron microscopy to understand diffusion and degradation mechanisms University of Antwerp
The development of mathematical observers for optimization in breast imaging KU Leuven
Breast cancer screening in women aims to reduce cancer mortality rate by means of early detection and treatment. The screening is typically performed using a two-dimensional (2D) full-field digital mammography (FFDM) system, where the breast structure is captured in a single 2D projection. However the representation of three-dimensional (3D) breast tissue in 2D images causes a major drawback of this technique: normal tissue could mask a ...
Inverse modeling of Cardiac ARrhythmia sources based on UltraSound imaging (ICAR KU Leuven
This PhD position ambitions to develop a volumetric ultrasound imaging sequence with sufficient temporal resolution for the detection of cardiac arrhythmia. The PhD candidate will be responsible for the development of adequate imaging sequences allowing for 3D imaging of the heart at a minimum of 500 volumes/second. Hereto, the student will explore novel image formation techniques on an experimental imaging platform and evaluate their impact ...