Let’s meet our Hypatia Fellow an interview with Guido van Mierlo

This fellowship, originating from 2008, aims to promote innovation in academic research by giving young and talented researchers the opportunity to establish an independent research group within the strategic areas of Radboudumc. Guido van Mierlo received the Hypatia fellowship in 2024.

A journey through proteomics and big data

Originally from Deventer, Van Mierlo studied Biomedical Sciences in Nijmegen and became fascinated by proteomics during an internship at Cambridge University. His PhD at Radboudumc focused on using proteomics to study gene activation in embryonic stem cells. This led to a postdoc position, where he developed a novel method to analyze protein interactions—now commercially available.

To expand his expertise in omics technologies, Guido joined Bart Deplancke’s lab at EPFL (Switzerland), studying human fat cells and how genetic variations influence their function. In July 2024, he returned to Radboudumc to establish his own research group, focusing on immune cell communication in diseases like autoimmunity and cancer.

Why Nijmegen and Radboudumc?

“The Radboudumc provides a unique environment where fundamental and clinical research come together, enabling real patient impact,” Van Mierlo explains. “I also love Nijmegen’s atmosphere—though I do miss Lausanne’s mountains and lakes.”

First steps and collaborations

Van Mierlo received a warm welcome at the Department of Medical BioSciences. His first months focused on setting up technologies and collaborating with researchers to identify shared interests. “Interacting with driven colleagues has already expanded my knowledge of immunology, and we’re now launching joint projects,” he says. Strong mentorship and the Hypatia Fellowship have helped him hit the ground running.

The Hypatia grant and future research

His research aims to map how immune cells communicate and recognize target cells through surface proteins. “Many of these proteins remain unidentified, yet they play a crucial role in therapies aimed at strengthening the immune system,” he explains. Using proteomics, his group will study these proteins and their changes in diseases like cancer and autoimmune disorders, potentially uncovering new therapeutic targets.

What’s next?

Van Mierlo is focused on building his team and ensuring its success. “The Hypatia Track will help us become a leading group in quantitative immunology.”

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Did you read our earlier interviews with Hypatia Fellows? 

• Anna Marneth
• Zohreh Hosseinzadeh