The interdisciplinary research group Community Genetics and Public Health Genomics is affiliated to the Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU University Medical Center.

About us

Community Genetics and Public Health Genomics are emerging fields of activities involving both research and application. The main goal of research is to investigate and promote the responsible application of medical genetics at population or group level, to maximise benefit for the individuals in the community and for public health, and to minimise potential harm. 

Research focuses on policy and implementation of new genetic applications, including the views, prior knowledge and expectations of potential users such as health care professionals, patients and wider society. In the Netherlands the research group is well-known for its active collaboration with key (inter)national organisations and committees such as the Centre for Population Screening of the Netherlands, Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM ), the Health Council of the Netherlands, the Dutch Genetic Alliance (Vereniging Samenwerkende Ouder- en Patientenverenigingen, VSOP), the Dutch Forum for Biotechnology and Genetics (FBG ), the Netherlands Association for Community Genetics and Public Health Genomics (NACGG ), the Public and Professional Policy Committee of the European Society of Human Genetics , EuroGentest , and Orphanet . 

Research

With our research we aim to close the gap between gene discovery and population health benefit, aiming at policy recommendations for responsible implementation of genetic applications, whilst focusing on the Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI).

A brief summary of research topics in which we are involved: 

  • care research
  • policy, ethical, legal and social implications
  • risk perception and decision making
  • genetic education
  • epidemiological studies

For more information about research, visit amsterdamumc.org/research

For more information about research output registration, visit researchinformation.amsterdamumc.org

Education

For more information about education, visit amsterdamumc.org/education

Patient Care

For more information about patient care, visit amsterdamumc.nl

Team

Members of the research group Community Genetics are:

  • Prof. Martina. Cornel, MD, PhD, epidemiologist, professor of community genetics and public health genomics
  • Prof. Lidewij Henneman, PhD, professor of patient perspectives on genetic testing 
  • Carla van El, PhD, researcher, sociologist
  • Anke Kleinveld, PhD, psychologist, education
  • Denhard de Smit, PhD, researcher 
  • Tessel Rigter, PhD, implementation researcher, education
  • Marleen Jansen, PhD, implementation researcher
  • Anke Woudstra, PhD, researcher, anthropology and sociology
  • Lieke van den Heuvel, Msc, PhD student, psychology
  • Karuna van der Meij, Msc, PhD student, health scientist
  • Ivy van Dijke, Msc, PhD student, health scientist 
  • Forike Martens, MSc, PhD student, health scientist
  • David Klein, MSc, researcher, health scientist

For information about our researchers, visit amsterdamumc.org/en/research/researchers

Career

We are always on the lookout for talented and passionate people to join our growing team. You will have the opportunity to develop any aspects you are interested in.

See all our vacancies (in Dutch): werkenbij.amsterdamumc.org

Contact

Amsterdam UMC, location VU University Medical Center 
Community Genetics 
Van der Boechorststraat 7 - Room G102,  
1081 BT Amsterdam 

Prof.dr. M.C. Cornel 
Tel: +31 (0)20-4448910
mc.cornel@amsterdamumc.nl

Prof.dr. L. Henneman
Tel: +31 (0)20-444 9815
l.henneman@amsterdamumc.nl