“During my master’s degree, I was talking to Thomas Dorlo, my current co-promotor, who was passionately telling me about the world’s health problems. In Eastern Africa, for example, people are dying of a parasitic infection disease that researchers in the west barely investigate because there is no economic interest. This really affected me. For my thesis, I looked into alternative treatments for the parasitic disease he brought up: visceral leishmaniasis. This condition is transmitted to humans by the bite of the sand fly. The parasites enter the cell and multiply rapidly. My research included an investigation into factors that affect the patient’s response to the medication. Many patients are malnourished, which complicates things, and some of them have HIV as well. These factors minimize the odds of successful treatment. It’s very important that we continue to research this. I’m happy to have been able to contribute to accessible care for everyone.”
Luka will defend her thesis on March 16. Good luck, Luka!
This research was financially supported by EDCTP (European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership).
Promotor(s)
prof. dr. A.D.R. Huitema & prof. dr. J.H. Beijnen
Copromotor(s)
dr. T.P.C. Dorlo