Board

Cirion; a creative and innovative multidisciplinary network in the world of infectious diseases. Cirion, as a multidisciplinary network, signals, creates, stimulates and initiates programs on ‘prevention by knowledge’ and ‘improved treatment by better understanding’. As a medical doctor and infectiologist/virologist I work, on different continents, in the field of new and emerging virus infections. Despite the fact that new drugs and vaccines are developed infectious diseaes are still a threat to large populations due to morbidity, mortality and socio-economic decline. Working on solutions; that is exactly where Cirion stands for. Identifying local needs and combine multidisciplinary expertise to work on creative and innovative solutions. Knowledge still is the cornerstone of infectious disease prevention. The spread of knowledge as a prevention tool is one of the focus points of Cirion. Viruskenner; an education tool created by Cirion Viruskenner with the slogan ‘knowledge as antivirus’ is an international education and exchange program for scholars in 4 countries on 4 continents. Cirion initiated and developed the program; the program is supported by the EU programme for education, training, youth and sport.

Secretary

Fighting viruses with knowledge – it is such a no brainer, but still there is so much to be done. By contributing to the mission of Cirion and the work of Eric van Gorp, I can help a little bit in this ongoing quest. Knowledge, prevention, it saves humanity a lot of pain and money. I see that in my daily life as head of communications for the Netherlands Red Cross and I see that as a Cirion volunteer. Come aboard and support the Cirion antivirus!

Treasurer

After my retirement in october 2016 as a laboratory manager of the viroscience department of the ErasmusMC, I was asked to join the board of the Cirion foundation as a treasurer This was for me a great opportunity to participate not only in the support of the knowledge of viral infections for secondary schoolchildren in the Netherlands and (sub) tropical countries, but also in the improvement and support in the development of diagnostic tools for (newly discovered) viral infections. Early diagnosis leads to better prevention and control of outbreaks of viral infections in these countries. Therefore the projects, initiated by the Cirion foundation in these countries are of great importance in the field of viral infections, and motivates me to be a member of the Cirion foundation.

Board member

With a background in Theatre Studies and a marketing career in Infectious Diseases, my drive has always been the blend of Art, Science & your Story. I get excited when (young) people present bold, contemporary solutions for global scientific challenges. As the newest member of the Cirion foundation, I’ve found my peers there: a perfect mix of people with different backgrounds but with the same passion for education and sharing knowledge. To me Cirion is a global, next generation ‘stage’ for demonstrating preventive strategies & solutions to tame the invisible enemy: infectious diseases.