Hans Frankel Student Trainee Award for Claudia Schrauwen, PhD student at UAntwerp and UNamur-NARILIS

Claudia Schrauwen is enrolled in a joint PhD programme at UAntwerp and UNamur-NARILIS since September 2022. Her doctoral research is carried out in the framework of a collaboration between the Bio-Imaging Laboratory, led by Prof. Marleen Verhoye and run together with Prof. Daniele Bertoglio (UAntwerp), and the Laboratory Neurodegeneration and Regeneration, led by Prof. Charles Nicaise (UNamur). This collaborative project combines the expertise of both institutions in neuroscience, bioimaging and animal disease modeling. Supported by the “Wings for Life” Foundation and the FWO, the research aims to develop noninvasive imaging biomarkers for spinal cord injury. Using advanced imaging techniques such as SV2A PET, diffusion MRI and structural MRI in preclinical models, Claudia seeks to identify early prognostic markers that can improve predictions of injury outcomes. Her work specifically focuses on finding novel in vivo imaging biomarkers to assess spinal cord injury outcome and therapeutic response Her findings are expected to contribute to more targeted care and the development of innovative treatments.

End September, Claudia had the opportunity to present her research, both as a poster and an oral communication, at the Annual Scientific Meeting of The International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS) held in Antwerp. During this event, she was honored with a Student Trainee Award presented in the name of Dr. Hans Frankel, who is an eminent contributor to the field of spinal cord injury and a founding member of ISCoS.  

Congratulations, Claudia!