Specialization
Epidemiology; Public Health; Sexually Transmitted Infections; HIV; Viral Hepatitis
Focus of research
As an infectious disease epidemiologist, my main research interest involves the spread of infectious diseases in the public domain.
I am the site coordinator of the Amsterdam Cohort Study at the Public Health Service of Amsterdam, a study initiated in 1984. My research line focuses on the spread of HIV and other sexually and blood-borne infections in men who have sex with men. I have conducted studies on HIV, viral hepatitis, Chlamydia, gonorrhea, sexual behavior and substance use in the context of these infections.
My research line is expanding towards public health responses to emerging infectious diseases. I am the project leader of CONTROL, a large collaboration between nine Public Health Services and the RIVM to evaluate the effectiveness of source- and contact tracing after SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis and study geo-spatial spread. In the broader infectious disease context, my research line focuses on the impact of preventive measures affected by risk perceptions and behaviors of individuals and the public health care system.