OncoProTools collaboration continues through a Joint PhD Fellowship at the University of Antwerp
The collaborative network established through the MSCA Doctoral Network OncoProTools continues to generate new opportunities beyond the lifetime of the project. As a concrete example, Thales do Valle Moreira, Doctoral Candidate 5 (DC5) at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU Mainz), has been awarded a Joint PhD Fellowship funded by the University of Antwerp’s BOF programme for International Joint PhDs.
Thales first came to Antwerp for a secondment at the Molecular Imaging Centre Antwerp (MICA) with Prof. Dr. Filipe Elvas, who now is his supervisor at the University of Antwerp. Starting in October 2026, Thales will return to MICA for a six-month research stay, further strengthening the collaboration between the University of Antwerp and JGU Mainz. The fellowship is part of an international Joint PhD agreement between both institutions and represents a successful continuation of the scientific collaboration initiated within OncoProTools.
During this fellowship, Thales will advance the project “Design and evaluation of Cathepsin S PET probes for oncology diagnosis”, as part of his International Joint PhD. Cathepsin S is a cysteine protease involved in extracellular matrix remodelling, angiogenesis, and immune regulation that is dysregulated in several cancers. For that, there is increasing interest in it as a potential biomarker and theranostic target in oncology. By developing innovative Cathepsin S-targeting PET imaging approaches, the research aims to contribute to a better understanding of this enzyme in tumour biology and support future advances in precision oncology.
Supporting international Joint PhDs through BOF funding
The University of Antwerp’s BOF programme for International Joint PhDs supports incoming mobility of PhD researchers who are preparing an international Joint PhD with UAntwerp and a foreign partner institution. Each year, approximately ten fellowships are awarded, providing doctoral researchers with a six-month research stay at UAntwerp as part of their Joint PhD trajectory. The fellowships aim to strengthen international research collaborations and provide PhD researchers with opportunities to further develop their scientific expertise within a global research environment. Applications are evaluated based on criteria including the quality and scientific value of the research project and previous collaboration between the institutions is considered an important asset.
Building on the legacy of MSCA Doctoral Networks
The continuation of the collaboration between UAntwerp and JGU Mainz illustrates the impact of MSCA Doctoral Networks, which go beyond the training of Doctoral Candidates by creating strong international partnerships and sustainable research ecosystems. Through training activities, secondments, and scientific exchanges, OncoProTools established a collaborative environment that continues to facilitate new research opportunities.
The Joint PhD Fellowship awarded to Thales demonstrates how MSCA Doctoral Networks can serve as a catalyst for future collaborations, enabling researchers and institutions to build upon shared expertise and pursue innovative approaches to address major challenges in Cancer Research.