The strategic mission of STIG is to improve the quality-of-life and the lifespan of cancer patients by increasing the applicability of immunotherapy, both in terms of number of responsive cancer types and number of responsive patients. Therefore, at STIG we have a passion for developing novel immunotherapeutic strategies to treat cancer by combining immune activation and tackling immunosuppression. In this context, our two major research lines are on natural killer cell therapy and oxidative stress. Key words of our research are cancer immunotherapy, combination therapy, (CAR) natural killer cell therapy, immune checkpoints, tumor microenvironment, immunometabolism and cold atmospheric plasma.
To learn more, you can have a look at this elevator pitch or presentation on immunotherapy for cancer.
Team Leader
Prof. Dr. Evelien Smits
Co-Leaders
Dr. Jorrit De Waele
Dr. Jonas Van Audenaerde
Research manager
Delphine Quatannens
Lab coordinator
Ho Wa Lau
Associated promotors (alphabetically)
Prof. Dr. Annemie Bogaerts
Dr. Diana Campillo-Davó
Prof. Dr. Thiery Chapelle
Prof. Dr. Christophe Deben
Prof. Dr. Filip Lardon
Prof. Dr. Eva Lion
Prof. Dr. Inge Mertens
Prof. Dr. Senada Koljenovic
Prof. Dr. Hans Prenen
Dr. Angela Privat-Maldonado
Prof. Dr. Geert Roeyen
Prof. Dr. Timon Vandamme
Prof. Dr. Steven Van Laere
Dr. Joris Verlooy
Prof. Dr. An Wouters
Postdoctoral researchers
Dr. Daniel Flender (CfP)
Dr. Hanne Verswyvel
Dr. Hannah Zaryouh
PhD students
Jana Baroen (PLASMANT)
Merel Bartels
Mauranne Bauwens
Laura Gehrcken
Charlotte Gevaerts
Jöran Melis (TACTT)
Emma Peeters
Delphine Quatannens
Aminur Rashid
Sanne van der Heijden
Lisa Van der heyden (PLASMANT)
Liesbeth Vanheeswijck
Brian Weidensee
Lab technicians
Louize Brants
Christophe Hermans
Ho Wa Lau
Dana Liu
Céline Merlin
Inge Vereycken
Alumni
Dr. Eline Biscop, PhD student, 2018-2023
Dr. Tal Flieswasser, PhD student, 2017-2022
Dr. Laurie Freire Boullosa, PhD student, 2017-2023
Ms. Okke Geurts, Lab technician, 2017-2018
Dr. Julie Jacobs, PhD student and postdoc, 2013-2022
Ms. Hilde Lambrechts, Lab technician, until 2025
Dr. Debbie Le Blon, postdoc research manager, 2021-2024
Dr. Abraham Lin, postdoc, 2017-2023
Dr. Elly Marcq, PhD student and postdoc, 2014-2022
Dr. Sophie Rovers, PhD student, 2020-2025
Dr. Priyanka Shaw, PhD student, 2018-2022
Dr. Vasiliki Siozopoulou, pathologist and PhD student, 2018-2023
Dr. Astrid Van den Eynde, PhD student, 2019-2025
Dr. Jinthe Van Loenhout, PhD student, 2016-2021
Dr. Tias Verhezen, PhD student, 2020-2025
Dr. Ruben Verloy, PhD student, 2020-2025