Profile photo Helena Verkooijen

Helena Verkooijen

Full Professor

Strategic program(s):

Biography

Professor of Evaluation of Image-Guided Treatment, dedicated to improve the life of people with cancer. Committed to full integration of clinical research in routine patient care in order to facilitate undelayed evidence-based implementation of innovations in oncology. 
Medical-scientific director of the Imaging Cluster (incorporating the departments of Radiology, Radiotherapy, Nuclear Medicine and Clinical Physics) at the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek hospital. Leader (PI) of several international research consortia and academic industrial partnership, based at UMC Utrecht. Strong background in teaching and development of educational modules at graduate and postgraduate level. Large international academic experience in Europe and Asia. Experienced speaker, moderator, panel member, and member of the supervisory board of the Rotterdam Eye Hospital. 
Sharp analytic mind, strong drive and ability to turn ideas into reality. Connector. Passionate about encouraging and facilitating colleagues, team members, and (PhD) students to bring out the best in themselves and each other.

Strategic program(s):

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Research groups

Evaluation of imaging and image-guided Interventions

Research aim

The pace of innovation in (AI driven) imaging/image-guided interventions in oncology is high; the window of opportunity for evaluation narrow. We aim to learn from every patient, in order to facilitate evidence-based implementation of innovation.

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Recent publications

Fluorescence imaging using indocyanine green to identify sentinel lymph nodes during surgery for breast cancer (INFINITE) I. J. Henskens, Tessa L. Dinger, Iza Stekelenburg, L. M. Dijksman, H. M. Verkooijen, Emily L. Postma, Annemiek Doeksen, H. J. Schuijt,
BMJ Open, 2026, vol. 16
Perspectives on artificial intelligence-generated chronic disease risk predictions in early breast cancer Frederik Voigt Carstensen, Belinda Bøgh Irankunda, Eva Batista, Desiree Van den Bongard, Tanja Spanic, Sofie A M Gernaat, Helena Verkooijen, Maja Vestmø Maraldo
Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden), 2026, vol. 65, p.553-556
Timely Integration of specialist palliative care into oncology care for patients receiving radiotherapy for bone metastases Anouk van Oss, Joanne M. van der Velden, Helena M. Verkooijen, Rebecca van Jaarsveld, Ginette M. Hesselmann, Evelien J.M. Kuip, Paulien G. Westhoff, Natasja J.H. Raijmakers, Yvette M. van der Linden, Roxanne Gal
PLoS ONE, 2026, vol. 21
Time-Dynamic AI Models to Predict Quality of Life in Patients With Breast Cancer Niclas J. Hubel, Thijs G.W. van der Heijden, Benjamin Murauer, Belle H. de Rooij, Kelly M. de Ligt, Helena M. Verkooijen, Sofie Am Gernaat, Meeke Hoedjes, Volker Arndt, Lonneke V. van de Poll-Franse, Bernhard Holzner, Jens Lehmann
Journal of Medical Internet Research, 2026, vol. 28
Clinical trial endpoints for metastases-directed therapy in oligometastatic cancer Joachim Widder, Guus M. Bol, Inga Malin Simek, Felix Ehret, Hoda Abdel-Aty, Selma Basic, David Chuter, Jacqueline Daly, Patricia Fairbrother, Donjeta Zeqa, Frank Aboubakar Nana, Verane Achard, Stefanie Corradini, Dora Correia, Dirk De Ruysscher, Anne Marie C. Dingemans, Corinne Faivre-Finn, Silke Gillessen, Marianne G. Guren, Lizza Hendriks, Wolfgang G. Kunz, Frederic E. Lecouvet, Antonin Levy, Yolande Lievens, Fiona McDonald, Icro Meattini, Felix Oppong, Daniela Oprea-Lager, David Palma, Gitte Fredberg Persson, Jordi Remon, Miet Vandemaele, Hanneke W.M. van Laarhoven, Helena M. Verkooijen, Luca Visani, Thomas Zilli, Piet Ost, Matthias Guckenberger
The Lancet Oncology, 2026, vol. 27, p.e238-e247
Learning from every patient Maarten J Kamphuis, Irene C van der Schaaf, Roxanne Gal, Joanne M van der Velden, J P Maarten Burbach, Nicolien Kasperts, Jochem R N van der Voort van Zyp, Joost J C Verhoeff, Danny A Young-Afat, Martijn P W Intven, Sofie A M Gernaat, Frederieke H van der Baan, Geraldine R Vink, Miriam Koopman, Faye J Raaijmakers, Fia Cialdella, Tariq A Lalmahomed, Jasmijn M Westerhoff, Renée Hovenier, Eline H Huele, Frederik R Teunissen, Dieuwke R Mink van der Molen, Sophie R de Mol van Otterloo, Merle Hattink, Mathijs L Tomassen, Lois A Daamen, Helena M Verkooijen
Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 2026, vol. 195

External positions

Lid raad van toezicht - Toezicht - BCN / Alexander Monro Ziekenhuis

Lid raad van toezicht - Toezicht - Oogziekenhuis Rotterdam

Lid Commissie Exploratie - Beoordeling wetenschappelijke aanvragen - KWF Kankerbestrijding

bestuurslid - geen - JM Fentener van Vlissingen Fonds

Spreker - ja - Elekta

Lid Wetenschappelijke Adviesraad Landelijk ReferentieCentrum Bevolkingsonderzoek - inhoudelijk - LRCB