Qualifications:
1985 Doctor in de Genees-, Heel- en Verloskunde, KU Leuven, Belgium
1991 Specialist in de Gynaecologie en Verloskunde Special Licence Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KU Leuven, Belgium
1995 Doctor in de Medische Wetenschappen (PhD), KU Leuven, Belgium
Present position:
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (KU Leuven)
Director Interdepartemental Centre for Surgical Technologies, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven
Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (University Hospitals Leuven)
Zorgprogramma (Clinical Programme) Fetal Medicine
Zorgprogramma (Clinical Programme) Urogynaecology
Member of the Council of Department Woman and Child, in charge of research activities (Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven)
Scientific Activities:
Published 230 peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals
Over 50 book chapters
Supervised/supervises over 14 doctoral students in research on urogynaecology, fetal medicine and regenerative medicine
Professional Activities:
- Director of the Centre for Surgical Technologies
The medical faculty who trains over 60 % of medical students in the Flemish part of the country established the Centre for Surgical Technologies (CST) in 1990 for training and research in new surgical technologies, mainly endoscopic surgery. A formal Research Programme on Endoscopic Fetal Surgery was set up in 1990, and developed several animal models. Current research includes the domains of lower urinary tract obstruction, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, in utero fetal gene therapy, in utero stem cell transplantation, and obstetrical applications of fetoscopy with a particular interest to the sealing of the fetal membranes.
- Co-director of the Pelvic Floor Programme University Hospitals Leuven,
with Prof D. De Ridder (Urology), that runs the mono- as well as multidisciplinary clinics, the urogynaecological ultrasound unit and a research programme. The latter is dedicated to experimental and clinical evaluation of the visco-elastic properties of implants. The most recent development is the development of new hardware for in vivo measurement of elasticity of vaginal tissues. Clinical research focus is on the place of mesh-augmented repairs, impact of surgery on quality of life, and the use of ultrasound in pelvic floor disorders.
- Head of the programme of Fetal Therapy University Hospitals Leuven
It is the largest referral centres for fetal diagnosis and therapy in Belgium, offering all standard non-invasive and invasive diagnostic tests and procedures. The “Fetal Treatment Centre” is a wider clinical and research group. It performs over 200 intra-uterine surgeries per year. It works in a permanent multidisciplinary structure with colleagues from Neonatology, Pediatrics, Pediatric Cardiologists, Surgery, Urology, and Genetics. Its research programme focuses on the use of amniotic derived stem cells for tissue engineering, in utero gene therapy, modulation of lung development, and the study of fetal pain.
- Is Editor of Prenatal Diagnosis, editorial board member of several other journals, Board Member European UroGynaecological Association (EUGA), Board Member the International Educational Board for Certification in Fetal Medicine, past member of the Scientific Committee of the International Urogynaecological Association (IUGA). Was awarded Prize Royal Academy of Medicine of Belgium.