Specialization
Focus of research
My research bridges human genetics, molecular regulation, and cardiac physiology. I investigate how genetic variants—both coding and noncoding—shape cell identity and function in the heart, and how altered gene regulatory mechanisms contribute to arrhythmogenic and structural cardiac disease. Through an interdisciplinary approach spanning genomics, developmental biology, transcriptional regulation, and in vivo physiology, my work aims to connect genetic discoveries to disease mechanisms with precision and mechanistic depth.
KEYWORDS
Cardiac genetics • Gene regulation • Enhancers • Electrophysiology • Atrial fibrillation • Arrhythmia mechanisms • Noncoding variation • Heart development • Transcriptional networks • Brugada Syndrome • Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Education
2022–Present – Postdoctoral Researcher, Experimental Cardiology, University of Amsterdam
PI: Prof. Dr. Connie R. Bezzina
Mechanisms of cell-identity shifts in cardiac disease
2016–2021 – Postdoctoral Researcher, Medical Biology, University of Amsterdam
PI: Prof. Dr. Vincent M. Christoffels
Genomic topology and transcriptional regulation in atrial fibrillation
2011–2016 – PhD Candidate, Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Oregon
PI: Prof. Dr. Kryn Stankunas
Developmental cues and signaling pathways in valvulogenesis
2008–2010 – BSc Student Researcher, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno
PI: Dr. Scott G. Clark
Genetic maintenance of interneuron identity in C. elegans
Supervision
PhD Students
2022–Present – Madelief Marsman (PhD thesis)
Master’s Students
2026 – Anaïs Marchand
2025-2026 – Juwayriah Abarki
Bachelor Students
2025 – Herman Nahar
2023 – Ahmed Mgharfaoui
2023 – Colin Holtuin
2022–2023 – Lisanne Wilde
2015–2016 – Thomas Forman
2014–2015 – Simone Prather
2013–2015 – Yujung Choi
Other trainees
2018 – Esmée Weusthof (Internship)
2014 – Kimberly A. Jones (PhD rotation)
2011–2012 – Vidusha Devasthali (Lab technician)
Honours and Awards
2023 – Heart Rhythm Society Meeting, New Orleans – Invited Speaker
2020 – Rembrandt Symposium, Best Presentation
2017 – Weinstein Cardiovascular Development Conference, Honorable Mention Poster Award
2016 – Weinstein Conference, Travel Award
2016 & 2015 – Donald Wimber Fund Award
2016 – University of Oregon WGS Travel Award
2014 – Society for Developmental Biology Student Travel Award
2013 – University of Oregon Graduate School Travel Award
2009 – McNair Scholars Program Award
2005–2010 – Delta Epsilon Iota Honor Society
2005–2010 – Dean’s List, University of Nevada, Reno
Grants
2023–2024 – PREDICT2 Young Talent Program
2020 – CVON CONCOR GENES Young Talent Program
2013–2016 – NIH Kirschstein NRSA F31 Predoctoral Fellowship
2011–2013 – NIH T32 Developmental Biology Training Grant
2009–2010 – INBRE Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program
2007–2010 – Finlay MacDonald Grant
2007–2010 – Knights Templar Education Grant
2006–2010 – Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship
International Presentations (Selected)
2025 – DCVA Meeting (Presentation)
2023 – ESC Congress (Poster)
2021 – European Society of Cardiology Congress (Presentation)
2021 – Dutch–German Vascular Biology Meeting (Presentation)
2019 – Leducq Transatlantic Consortium, Athens (Presentation)
2018 – Cardiovascular Development Meeting, Marseille (Presentation)
2017 – Weinstein Cardiovascular Development Conference (Poster)
2016 – ISSCR Annual Meeting (Poster)
2016 – Weinstein Cardiovascular Development Conference (Presentation)
2015 – Weinstein Cardiovascular Development Conference (Presentation)
2014 – Society for Developmental Biology Meeting (Poster)
2013 – Organogenesis Symposium (Organizer & presenter)
2013 – Weinstein Cardiovascular Development Conference (Poster)
2010 – Nevada Undergraduate Research Symposium (Poster)
2008 – California McNair Scholars Symposium (Poster)
Reviewer for International Journals
Frontiers in Physiology • PLOS One • Heart Rhythm • Scientific Reports • Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences • Human Genetics and Genomics Advances • Molecular Medicine • Physiological Reviews
Professional Memberships
European Society of Cardiology • Heart Rhythm Society • Society for Developmental Biology
Societal Activities
2025–Present – Executive Board Member, Amsterdam UMC Postdoc Network
2024–Present – Co-organizer, Giving Back Nederland Genetics Workshop
2023–Present – Amsterdam UMC Mentoring Program (mentor)
2012–2016 – Executive Board Member, University of Oregon Women in Graduate Science