Doctoral Candidates

MIRACLE doctoral candidates (DCs) will be trained to obtain a unique combination of skills in innovative high-tech technologies, advanced data analysis tools and artificial intelligence, organ-on-chip MRD models, as well as drug and immunotherapy testing. Our DCs are encouraged to come up with innovative ideas to advance future leukemia treatment by integration of several disciplines and data sources. Our joint programme consists of an individual research project and a comprehensive training program including international mobility and intersectoral secondments.

Mai Huong Pham

Host organisation: Amsterdam UMC, Netherlands
Supervisors: Prof. Jacqueline Cloos and Dr. Costa Bachas
Research project: DC1 - Optimizing treatment decisions by using MRD data combined with artificial intelligence

Alyssa Rodrigues Alvaro

Host organisation: Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
Supervisors: Prof.dr. Prof. Jan Trka and Dr. Jan Stuchly
Research project: DC2 - In-depth analysis of phenotypic acute leukemia MRD dynamics using single-cell data and advanced computational techniques.

Nurbanu Erölmez

Host organisation: MIMETAS, Leiden, The Netherlands
Supervisors: Dr. Karla Queiroz
Research project: DC3 - The Establishment of Clinical Translational AML MRD On-Chip Models

Alessandro Gagliardi

Host organisation: Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Supervisors: Dr. Linda Smit and Dr. Rachel Thijssen
Research project: DC04- Characterization of AML MRD using single cell transcriptomic and epigenetic analysis

Arif Kozak

Host organisation: VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, Leuven, Belgium.
Supervisors: Prof.Dr. Jan Cools
Research project: DC5 - The characterization of acute lymphoblastic leukemia MRD and relapse using single cell omics.

Nishika Gupta

Host organisation: INSERM, Institut de la leucémie Paris Saint-Louis, France
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Raphael Itzykson and Dr. Matthieu Duchmann
Research project: DC6 - Multiomic and Metabolomic Characterization of AML Residual Disease after AZA/VEN Treatment

Thomas Henderson

Host organisation: University of Seville, Seville, Spain
Supervisors: Prof. Simón Méndez-Ferrer
Research project: DC07 - Dissecting and targeting niche-dependent vulnerabilities of protection from therapy in AML

Maria Rodrigues Lopes

Host organisation: Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
Supervisors: Prof.dr. Raffaella Di Micco and Dr.Antonella Santoro
Research project: DC8 - Therapy-induced senescence as anti-cancer and immune-stimulatory strategy in AML

Matija Kovic

Host organisation: Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Supervisors: Prof.dr. Jan-Henning Klusmann
Research project: DC9 - Characterization of persisting leukemic blasts in Down syndrome patients to define targets for immunotherapy.

Pierluigi Carulli

Host organisation: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, Germany
Supervisors: Prof.dr. Marion Subklewe
Research project: DC10 - Targeting MRD and LSCs in the bone marrow niche by chemokine modified, dual targeting CAR T cells in AML