Cystic Fibrosis: a real-world challenge to predict individual outcomes
Danya Muilwijk
What was your PhD about?
"My PhD-thesis focused on the prediction of long-term outcomes of people with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), with particular interest in the predictive value of the intestinal organoid model. As a clinician (pulmonologist in training) and epidemiologist, I have collected many rectal biopsies during my PhD project. From these biopsies, intestinal organoids were generated by my colleagues in the lab. In addition, I have been responsible for the clinical data collection, analysis and complex statistical modeling of all studies in my PhD-thesis."
What is your fondest memory of your time at RMU?
"I mainly worked on the ‘clinical side’ of our research group, based in the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital. I believe that the intense collaboration and interaction between our clinical- and lab team is really unique, which creates an optimal environment for patient-centered research and innovation. I have mostly enjoyed our monthly breakfast meetings at the RMCU, in which we discussed the results of the organoid assays with our entire team. Discussing the lab results in this way has generated direct impact for many patients!"
What are you going to do next?
"I am currently finishing my clinical training to become a pulmonologist in May 2024. Afterwards, I hope to find a position in academia in which I can combine clinical work with translational and epidemiological research."