As a professor and head of the Rehabilitation Department at Amsterdam UMC, my primary focus is on post-polio syndrome, a condition characterized by late-onset muscle function decline following a history of polio. My research aims to optimize rehabilitation treatments to preserve daily functioning and improve quality of life for individuals affected by this condition.

My studies address the progression of post-polio syndrome, which is vital for understanding prognosis, as well as effective treatments including medication, physical training, and psychological or behavioral interventions. We are at the forefront of research into gait improvement and the innovation of orthoses (leg braces).

The Rehabilitation and Neurology departments at Amsterdam UMC together form the national center of expertise for polio in the Netherlands. In addition to my clinical and research roles, I serve as a medical advisor to several patient organizations, including the Polio Working Group of Spierziekten Nederland, the European Polio Union, and Polio Health International in the United States.

Half of my time is dedicated to my role as Director of the interuniversity research institute Amsterdam Movement Sciences, a collaboration between VU, VUmc, and AMC, which focuses on advancing research in human movement.