Koen Verhees (K.J.P.)

molecular (cell) biology, scientific writing, teaching

Koen J.P. Verhees was born on May 31st 1983 in Maaseik, Belgium. In 2001, he graduated from the Koninklijk Atheneum in Maaseik. Later that year he enrolled into the BSc program Biotechnology (specialization: cellular genetics) at PXL University College (Hogeschool PXL) in Diepenbeek, Belgium (graduating in 2005). In November 2005, he started his MSc in Medical Biotechnology at Wageningen University, the Netherlands (graduating in 2008). In April of that year, he joined the department of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Maastricht, the Netherlands as a PhD student (FHML, NUTRIM). His PhD project was aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms that underlie skeletal muscle atrophy in chronic disease (i.e. COPD) and focused specifically on the role of GSK‐3β in this process. Between 2014 and 2015, he worked at the same department as a molecular cell biologist this time focusing on the role of GSK-3β in the regulation of muscle oxidative phenotype (OXPHEN). In addition to his experience in academia, he worked for several years as a professional scientific writer at medical device manufacturer Medtronic (Maastricht). During academic year 2021-2022, he worked as a lecturer Biotechnology at PXL University College in Diepenbeek, Belgium. In September 2022, he joined Maastricht University in the capacity of lecturer Biotechnology in both the Circular Engineering (CE), as well as the University College Venlo (UCV) BSc programs.