The Young@Heart Board

The board consists of previous scientific council members who have show great interest and ambitions in their work with Young@Heart and they are periodically invited to apply for a position on the board.

All board members are available as mentors in the mentor program

Anke Smits (LUMC) – Co-chair
Education and events committee

Anke Smits is an assistant professor in cardiovascular cell biology at the Department of Cell and Chemical Biology at the Leiden University Medical Center. Her scientific interest is best described as translational cell biology to repair the heart. In her research she focuses on endogenous cardiac repair mechanisms based on processes that occur in the developing embryonic heart. By combining (stem) cell biology, in vitro systems with in vivo cardiac injury models and state-of the art imaging techniques she aims to maximize the post-injury response. Being aware of the challenges in career perspective for young scientists she wants to contribute via Young@Heart to help shape their future.

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Martijn Hoes (MUMC+) – Co-chair
Communication committee 

Martijn Hoes is a post-doctoral researcher at the Department of Experimental Cardiology at the University Medical Center Groningen. His research is focused on the development of stem cell-based in vitro disease modeling, which can be related to various topics, including cardiac iron deficiency, in vitro hypertrophy, but the focus is on pregnancy-related heart failure and putative molecular pathological mechanisms. He is keen on helping (young) researchers whenever he can and he believes Young@Heart can be the perfect platform for young researchers to meet and discuss ideas about projects, networking, and teamwork.

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Jozine ter Maaten (UMCG) – Secretary
Communication committee

Jozine ter Maaten is a cardiologist in training and clinical scientist at the University Medical Center in Groningen. Her research focuses on improving treatment of acute heart failure by focusing on diuretic response, renal function and congestion markers. She recently started her first RCT studying natriuresis guided therapy in patients with acute heart failure. From her own experience, especially as a clinical scientist, she is committed to helping and encouraging young physicians combining a clinical and scientific career and believes Young@Heart provides a fantastic environment for this. 

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Jan Willem Buikema (AUMC)
Outreach committee

Jan Willem Buikema works as fellow-cardiologist at UMC Utrecht and combines his clinical work with studying the molecular mechanisms of heart growth and cardiac disease development in human induced pluripotent stem cells. Scientifically, Jan Willem is interested in the molecular targets for the prevention and/or cure of diverse genetic forms of cardiomyopathy in men and women. Unlike most current medical treatments in heart failure, this patient-specific approach very much acknowledges the diversity between patients and will eventually lead to “one-pill-per-patient” regimens.
In 2019, as member of the Young & Heart scientific council, Jan Willem helped organizing the symposium “Conquer the world with your PhD”, which gave insights in the career opportunities for young PhDs. Jan Willem joined the board of Young & Heart in 2021.

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Peter-Paul Zwetsloot (UMCU)
Education and events committee

Peter-Paul Zwetsloot (UMCU/Erasmus MC)

Peter-Paul is a fellow-cardiologist at the Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam (per December 2023) and received his cardiology-training and PhD at the UMC Utrecht. Peter-Paul combines his clinical work with research, focusing on genetic and acquired cardiomyopathies. His research focusses on both the preclinical and clinical aspects of new innovative therapies, while trying to improve translation from bench to bedside.

After being active in the Young@Heart community from its very first initiation, and serving on the Scientific Council for several years, Peter-Paul joined the board in 2023.

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Verena Schwach (UT Twente)
Outreach committee

More info coming soon

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Past Board Members

Board and Scientific Council Membership 

The board membership is for at least 2 years. To ensure continuity of Y@H, the first term of the current board members may be extended to max. 3 years. The scientific council provides and appoints future candidates. Scientific council members are committed and active participation is expected. Representation of gender and Dutch university medical centers is pursued, but is subjected to the applications.