About the team
Our multidisciplinary research team brings together expertise in clinical research, epidemiology, immunology, genetics, bioinformatics, data science, and ethics. By combining diverse perspectives, we work collaboratively to advance innovative research and improve donor care.
Professor Katja van den Hurk leads the Donor Health Research Group at Sanquin and Amsterdam UMC and holds the Chair in Donor Health at the University of Amsterdam. She is an Epidemiologist and Health Scientist with a PhD from the Faculty of Medicine of the VU University in Amsterdam. Katja is Chair of the European Blood Alliance (EBA) Donor Studies Working Group, Academic Editor for Vox Sanguinis’ Donors and Donations section, and Regional Director Europe at the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) 2026-2030.
Su Someh is a PhD candidate at the Donor Health Research group at Sanquin and the Department of Public and Occupational Health at the Amsterdam UMC (University of Amsterdam). She has a background in Psychobiology and Health Sciences. Within DONOR-PROTECT, she primarily investigates the effects of varying plasma donation frequencies on donor health (WP2), with the goal of supporting the development of personalized donation algorithms (WP4). In addition, her research focuses on heavy menstrual bleeding among blood and plasma donors.
Lucas Jansen is a PhD candidate at the Donor Health Research Group at Sanquin and the Department of Public and Occupational Health of the Amsterdam UMC (University of Amsterdam). Prior to this, he obtained a Master of Science in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology. His research within the DONOR-PROTECT project focuses on post-donation recovery patterns and the influence of genetic variation on donor recovery (WP3), with the aim of supporting the development of personalized donation algorithms (WP4).
Collaborations with leading experts further strengthen the project: Professor Marieke van Ham and Dr. Anja ten Brinke (Sanquin Research) provide immunological/FACS expertise for WP2; Professor Emanuele Di Angelantonio (University of Cambridge) offers access to INTERVAL trial data for WP3; Professor Christian Erikstrup (Aarhus University) contributes plasma donor health insights for WP2; Dr. Mart Pothast (Sanquin Research) contributes to the development of algorithms in WP4. Dr. Peter van de Ven (UMC Utrecht) ensures methodological rigor for trials; and Dr. Jean-Baptiste Thibert (French Blood Service EFS) co-supervises WP6, addressing ethical considerations.
