On March 15, AI&I researchers will lace up their running shoes for the Amstelveen Spring Marathon, raising funds for research into Post-Acute Infection Syndromes (PAIS). Every donation supports innovative projects to improve diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for PAIS patients. Support PAIS research, donate today!

Meet the runner: Hung-Jen Oliver Chen

Dr. Hung-Jen Oliver Chen, postdoc at the Center for Infection and Molecular Medicine, will be running the 10km.

Why I run

As a fundamental researcher working on Long COVID and related conditions, I regularly meet clinicians, researchers, and patients whose lives have been disrupted by PAIS. I see how these conditions can take away people’s health, work, and daily life, and how few answers we can currently offer. This run is my way of advancing research.

Personal Motivation

Oliver’s connection to the cause is both professional and personal. ‘Through my research and interactions with patients, I see clearly how PAIS can impact people’s lives and how much uncertainty and frustration it can cause. One of the most rewarding moments in my research is when the experiments reveal clear immunological mechanisms behind persistent symptoms, turning uncertainty into measurable insights.

Personally, I am also working on my own physical recovery. I used to run marathons, but after knee surgery two years ago, I had to start over. At first, I couldn’t run more than 3 km without pain, and I am still training carefully. Step-by-step training continues to remind me how challenging it is to regain trust in your own body. Many people with PAIS want nothing more than to move, work, and live as they did before.’

The Importance of PAIS Research

PAIS is extremely difficult to diagnose because there are no objective biomarkers. This leads to uncertainty and frustration for both patients and physicians. Without a reliable diagnosis, it’s hard to study the underlying disease mechanisms, and without understanding the pathophysiology, developing effective treatments remains challenging. Addressing this gap is a central focus of my research.

Goals for the Fundraising Campaign

Oliver hopes this campaign will create awareness for PAIS, support innovative research into diagnostics and disease mechanisms, and help move the field closer to evidence-based treatments.

Marathon Preparation

Oliver is following a structured physiotherapy program to strengthen and stabilize his knee, alongside his work as a PAIS researcher. Both science and rehabilitation require patience, consistency, and long-term commitment. ‘PAIS affects a growing number of people, yet research in this area remains limited. Supporting this campaign helps ensure that promising scientific questions continue to be explored.’