Specialization
cardio-kidney-metabolic (CKM) disease, peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibition (SGLT2i), cardiovascular risk management in CKD and kidney failure
Focus of research
With my research I aim to improve understanding, prevention and treatment of the high cardiovascular disease burden in patients with severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) and those treated with dialysis. In particular, my former and current translational projects focus on the immunometabolic risk factors and mechanisms underlying heart failure in patients with severe CKD and how these can be targeted by novel cardio-kidney-metabolic (CKM) therapies such as sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i).
This work includes postdoctoral research within the European MSCA-ITN-DN IMPROVE-PD consortium, focused on peritoneal dialysis (PD)-induced inflammatory responses and their relation with atherosclerosis and cardiac dysfunction in pre-clinical models. Furthermore, as a steering committee member of the international cardiovascular outcome trial, The Renal Lifecycle Trial, I participate in a multidisciplinary collaboration to establish the cardiovascular benefit of SGLT2i in a large population of patients with severe CKD. Finally, as project leader of its sub-study STOP-HF-in-PD, I aim to determine the immunometabolic effects of SGLT2i in PD-treated patients and how these relate to cardiac function and cardiovascular events.