The Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is proud to announce that four of its researchers have been awarded Fundamental Clinical Mandates (FKM) from the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO). This prestigious award within the field of medical science offers these researchers the unique opportunity to dedicate more time to their scientific work.
Typically, doctors juggle their research with clinical responsibilities, such as treating patients, performing surgeries, or making diagnoses. The Fundamental Clinical Mandate provides partial relief from these clinical duties, allowing researchers to focus more intensely on scientific studies. This relief is crucial for the development of new treatments and improving patient care.
For three of the researchers, Prof. Dr. Messaoudi, Prof. Dr. Jan Gutermuth, and Prof. Dr. Maarten Moens, it is the first time they have received this mandate. For Prof. Dr. Guy Nagels, this represents a renewal of his previous mandate, highlighting the significant scientific value of his research. For the VUB, a relatively small university to secure three out of eight new mandates, this is a major achievement, reaffirming its leading position in medical scientific research.
Prof. Dr. Nouredin Messaoudi - Prof. Dr. Guy Nagels - Prof. Dr. Jan Gutermuth - Prof. Dr. Maarten Moens
Prof. Dr. Messaoudi – New Treatments for Pancreatic Cancer Using AI
Prof. Dr. Messaoudi, a surgeon at the University Hospital Brussels (UZ Brussel) and researcher at the VUB, focuses on cancers of the pancreas and liver, which are often difficult to treat, especially when diagnosed at a late stage. Messaoudi aims to use artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse different types of pancreatic tumours and better understand their behaviour. By using AI, he hopes to develop more targeted and personalised treatments for patients. His research combines surgical expertise with advanced technologies, opening new avenues in the fight against cancer.
Prof. Dr. Maarten Moens – Innovative Pain Relief with Neuromodulation
Prof. Dr. Maarten Moens, a neurosurgeon at the VUB and UZ Brussel, is researching ways to alleviate chronic pain in patients for whom standard treatments are ineffective. He works with spinal cord stimulation, a technology that delivers electrical impulses to the spinal cord to block pain signals before they reach the brain. His project, the "NEEDY project," focuses on patients who have developed chronic pain following chemotherapy. Moens is investigating the optimal areas of the spinal cord for stimulation and how the effectiveness of this treatment can be scientifically measured. This research offers new hope to those suffering from severe, long-term pain.
Prof. Dr. Guy Nagels – Cognitive Decline in Multiple Sclerosis
Prof. Dr. Guy Nagels is deputy head of the neurology department at UZ Brussel and an associate professor at the VUB. His research focuses on multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic disease affecting the central nervous system that can lead to paralysis and cognitive problems. Nagels specifically examines how MS impacts brain function, and how cognitive issues, such as memory loss or difficulty concentrating, can be modelled and understood. His work aims to develop new methods to better predict and treat cognitive decline in MS patients. By collaborating with engineers and psychologists, he seeks innovative solutions to improve the daily lives of MS patients.
Prof. Dr. Jan Gutermuth – Immunotherapies for Skin Diseases
Prof. Dr. Jan Gutermuth, head of the dermatology department at UZ Brussel, focuses on skin diseases such as eczema and skin cancer. His research explores how the immune system contributes to skin diseases and how immunotherapies can be used to treat these conditions. Gutermuth investigates how the immune system can be activated or manipulated to combat diseases like skin cancer. This could lead to the development of new, effective treatments for patients with complex skin conditions, where existing therapies often fall short.
*This is a machine translation. Excuse us for any possible inaccuracies.