MSc. Anneke Kastelein

In my PhD project I investigate the effect of chemotherapy on the development of cancer related fatigue (CRF). CRF is a common and severe side-effect of cancer treatment, and becomes a chronic condition for about 25-30% of cancer survivors. We hypothesize that chemotherapy influences the circadian clock, and thus influences the ‘wake’ state. To gain more insight in this condition I utilize an interdisciplinary approach, combining preclinical and clinical studies and datasets. As such I collaborate with several groups in the LUMC including: Chemical Immunology, Medical Oncology, Neurophysiology, Public Health and Primary Care and Psycho-oncology. In addition, I have set up a patient feedback group as I believe patient participation is a crucial part of good clinical research.

Curriculum Vitae

I studied biology at Wageningen University and Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, with a major in Neurobiology. During this time I had the opportunity to do several internships on diverse set of neurobiological topics, including energy homeostasis, aggression and Huntington’s disease. I specialised in behavioural neurobiology during my master Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences and wrote my master thesis with the Moran lab at Johns Hopkins University, on the effect of stress and coping style on the development of Anorexia. After graduation I worked in sustainable finance and travelled the world, before starting my PhD end of 2020 in the groups of Prof. Sjaak Neefjes, Prof. Hans Gelderblom and Prof. Joke Meijer. Next to my PhD I am a board member of the PhD Network Netherlands (PNN).