The KNAW Early Career Awards have been 2024 awarded to twelve scientists from various fields of research. ACS researcher Kak Khee Yeung receives the award within the field of medical, medical-biological and health sciences.
Groundbreaking research on aneurysms
Kak Khee Yeung combines clinical expertise with groundbreaking scientific research on aneurysms. An aortic aneurysm is a dilation of the body's artery that can rupture, unfortunately leading to death in more than eighty percent of cases. Currently, it is not possible to predict whether an aneurysm may rupture. Also, there is no medication available to treat a ruptured aneurysm.
Biomarkers for prediction
Yeung focuses on finding so-called biomarkers in the body that can predict the course of disease in vascular patients with an aortic aneurysm. Yeung is exploring many methods to achieve greater understanding; from setting up a biobank of cell lines and clinical data from a thousand different patients to creating in vitro 3D models and using artificial intelligence.
Program leader ACS
In addition to her scientific efforts Yeung has contributed to the research institute Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences for the past 10 years. First in the role of Young ACS member, but since 2023 as program leader of Atherosclerosis & Ischemic Syndromes.
Large European collaboration
Yeung is also project leader of the large European collaboration VASCUL-AID. We recently highlighted this project for World Heart Day. You can read more about it here.
KNAW Early Career Award
The KNAW Early Career Award recognizes innovative and original scientific research and also encourages further development of a diverse and broad palette of early career researcher in various fields within the practice of science. Read more about the KNAW Early Career Award and the other awardees.