First Junior Principal Investigator Talent grants awarded at LUMC

Junior Principal Investigator Program

Each year, the program offers five talented researchers the opportunity to develop their own research line. They receive four years of support from the central research budget, with a total contribution of €850,000 per person. Only researchers who have obtained their PhD-degree and are among the top in their field are eligible for the Junior PI Talent Program. Their research must clearly contribute to the LUMC research strategy. Candidates are affiliated with one or more of the LUMC themes of innovation [LINK thema pagina] and have established connections with the relevant departments. This ensures a welcoming environment within the LUMC.

Five Awards in 2025

This year, the first selection of Junior PIs focused on internal candidates. An enthusiastic and diverse committee reviewed numerous strong research proposals submitted through an open procedure. The committee was impressed by all the talent and faced the challenging task of selecting the five most promising researchers. After evaluating both the written proposals and the interviews, we proudly introduce the first Junior PIs at LUMC:

Dr. Marieke Barnhoorn (Department of Gastroenterology, Infection theme) will research new ways to treat inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). She focuses on complications such as intestinal scarring (fibrosis), which cause problems for many patients. Her research explores how connective tissue cells in the gut can be influenced, aiming to develop new drugs based on natural substances produced by worms.

Dr. Edouard Fu (Department of Epidemiology, Cardiovascular theme) aims to tailor treatments for patients with heart failure, type 2 diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. He uses vast amounts of health data and advanced analytical techniques like causal machine learning to develop digital tools. These tools can predict how well medications, such as Ozempic, will work for individual patients—helping doctors and patients make better, personalized decisions together.

Dr. Lydiane Hirschler (Department of Radiology, Neuroscience theme) investigates how the brain clears waste products and what happens when this cleaning system fails. Her research focuses on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which flows through the brain like a cleaning service. The effectiveness of this system appears to depend heavily on factors such as lifestyle, aging, and brain diseases like dementia. By combining fundamental research with patient studies, she aims to generate new knowledge that could help prevent or slow down brain disorders in the future.

Dr. Luuk Loeff (Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Immunity theme) studies how bacteria defend themselves against viruses by examining their immune systems at the molecular level. This knowledge supports the development of new applications, such as editing DNA in bacteria or human cells, which could help treat genetic diseases. It may also lead to new ways to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. His research lays the foundation for further advances in medicine and biotechnology.

Dr. Rajagopal Murugan (Department of LUCID, Infection theme) explores the role of B cells in protecting against infectious diseases. B cells are white blood cells that produce antibodies to recognize and neutralize invaders like parasites, viruses, and bacteria. His team investigates the processes that lead to strong and effective B cell responses—knowledge that will aid in designing new vaccines.

Call for LUMC Junior PI Talent Program 2026

Are you a promising researcher ready to build your own research line within the LUMC? Don’t miss your chance! The call for the 2026 Junior Principal Investigator Program is now open. More information and eligibility requirements can be found on the LUMC website.