Our Lab Members
Chair and Principal Investigator
Dr. Leon Schurgers is professor and chair of the department of Biochemistry, and Principal Investigator at Maastricht University. He also chairs the Stem Cell Research of the Univerity of Maastricht (SCRUM ). He leads the Schurgers Lab, which is specialised in conducting research on cardiovascular disease.
As head of the Schurgers group, he directs and coordinates the research and the team, ensuring the translation of fundamental findings into clinical applications. His expertise in biochemistry, cell biology, and pharmacology plays a crucial role in developing novel in vitro models, diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies.
Staff members
Our research group comprises dedicated staff members specializing in vascular smooth muscle cell biology, mechanobiology of the heart and blood vessels, and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology. Each staff member brings unique expertise that contributes to advancing our understanding of cardiovascular physiology and developing innovative therapeutic approaches within our research group.
Postdoctoral Researchers
The Postdoctoral Researcher at the Schurgers Lab performs independent research within ongoing projects and plays a key role in generating new insights. In addition to developing experimental setups and analyzing complex data, the postdoc contributes to publications and grant applications. Working closely with the Principal Investigator and other team members, the postdoc drives innovative solutions to better understand and treat vascular calcification and related conditions.
Nasim Bahram Sangani
Systems Biology and Molecular Neuroscience
PhD Candidates
The PhD Candidate conducts in-depth research under the supervision of the Principal Investigator and senior team members, contributing to the scientific mission of the Schurgers Lab. This doctoral research combines experimental studies and data analysis to gain new insights into vascular calcification and the role of vitamin K. The PhD candidate works toward writing a thesis, publishing results in peer-reviewed journals, and gaining valuable experience in conducting high-quality biomedical research.
Anxhela Habibi
Role of protease-activated receptors (PARs) in vascular remodelling
Lia Bica
Aneurysm disease
Rudolf Bittner
Biochemistry and Vasculature
Minke Rijpkema
Vessel-on-chip models for thrombosis
Jarno Koetsier
Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
Femke de Vries
Multimodal imaging techniques in multimorbidity
Pepijn Sarabèr
Vascular health and Disease | Aortic Aneurysm | hiPSC Research
Vanessa Bröker
PhD Candidate in Vascular Thrombo-inflammation
Technical Engineers
A Technical Engineer at Schurgers Lab plays a crucial role in supporting advanced research by maintaining and optimizing laboratory equipment, developing experimental setups, and ensuring the smooth operation of technical systems. They collaborate closely with scientists to design and implement innovative technical solutions, troubleshoot complex instruments, and contribute to data acquisition and analysis. By combining technical expertise with problem-solving skills, the Technical Engineer is an essential part of the team, enabling cutting-edge research in cardiovascular health and vascular calcification.
Petra Lux
Field of work: protein production, vitamin K analysis, MGP analysis, cell culture, lab management, data storage management, Sketchnotes and graphic visualizations
Niko Deckers
Cardiovascular research within the CARIM institute | Stem cells generation (SCRUM) | Course coordinating/tutoring
Peter Leenders
Senior technician
Tim van der Wiel
Multidisciplinary analyst
Cecile Maassen
Variety of biochemistry techniques
MSc Students
The MSc Student in the Schurgers Lab participates in ongoing research projects as part of their master’s program. Under the guidance of experienced researchers, the student conducts experiments, analyzes data, and reports findings. This provides the MSc student with a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience within an innovative and multidisciplinary team dedicated to understanding vitamin K and vascular health.