Veerle Merkus

Research

My PhD research focuses on characterizing the tumor microenvironment in cutaneous malignancies, including cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. By optimizing a skin-specific Imaging Mass Cytometry panel, I investigate how the cellular composition and spatial organization of the tumor microenvironment change across disease stages, with the aim of identifying underlying mechanisms of disease progression. My research combines the optimization of multiple experimental techniques with comprehensive data analysis, integrating technical expertise with biological insight. Ultimately, my goal is to better understand the mechanisms driving these malignancies and the role of the tumor microenvironment in disease progression, helping to identify potential cellular targets that could inform the development of more effective treatments for patients.

CV

I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences alongside an interdisciplinary Honours Programme focused on the interface between science and society (Faculty of Social Sciences). During my Research Master in Biomedical Sciences (LUMC), I gained research experience in both Düsseldorf and Leiden. In Düsseldorf, I focused on the identification and functional characterization of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) with the use of flow cytometry. In Leiden, my research involved generating and functionally characterizing microbiota-specific T-cell clones from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). These experiences sparked my interest in the tumor microenvironment and the complex immunological mechanisms underlying disease. Alongside my Master’s degree, I completed the Leiden Leadership Programme, an interdisciplinary programme focused on leadership and collaboration.

In January 2022, I started my PhD in the Department of Dermatology as part of the Cutaneous Lymphoma Group, led by Maarten Vermeer. My PhD research is conducted in collaboration with the Cancer Immunogenomics Group of the Department of Pathology, led by Noel de Miranda, and is supervised, amongst others, by Marieke IJsselsteijn.