Meet our team
DOPS 2025 is organized by PhD students from Radboud University Medical Center and Erasmus Medical Center. Meet the members of our team!
Mechteld van Olden
Chair
After studying Medicine in Leiden, I traded the Randstad for Nijmegen, a step closer to the ‘Brabantse gezelligheid’ I grew up with. I’m now doing my PhD at the Radboudumc, where my research focuses on Usher syndrome. The project is based in ophthalmology and involves close collaboration with the department of ear, nose and throat (ENT). I really enjoy working in a multidisciplinary setting, aiming to set up clinical gene therapy trials that bring us closer to treatments for inherited eye diseases. I’m looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new colleagues at this year’s DOPS symposium!
Mats Voogelaar
Secretary
Born and raised in Rotterdam and after graduating from medical school last year, I am now working as a first-year PhD student at both the Erasmus MC Medical Center and the Rotterdam Eye Hospital. My research focuses on the treatment of Mendelian forms of (high) myopia, aiming to bridge the gap between ophthalmology and clinical genetics by identifying rare monogenic causes of myopia and exploring tailored treatment options. Having met my fellow PhD researchers at DOPS last year, I experienced firsthand how fun, inspiring, and educational it is to connect with peers — which is why I’m very excited to help organize DOPS this year!
Sebastiaan van Meyel
Vice-chair
I am a second-year PhD candidate at the Rotterdam Eye Hospital and the Erasmus Medical Center. My research focuses on the feasibility of population-based screening for glaucoma in the Netherlands, using artificial intelligence (AI). By integrating this technology into for instance primary care settings, we aim to improve early diagnosis and streamline referrals to ophthalmologists. Glaucoma is a chronic eye disease that often develops without symptoms, yet can lead to irreversible vision loss if left undetected. Early detection is therefore essential.
Dirk van Hemert
Treasurer
After completing my Medical Degree and a Master’s in Health Economics, Policy and Law, I began my PhD at the Eye Epidemiology group at the Erasmus Medical Centre. My research focuses on identifying risk factors and improving prediction for (high) myopia. Ultimately, my goal is to enhance the early identification of individuals at risk of developing myopia, so they can benefit from timely preventive treatment. If you would like to chat about something other than research, make sure to mention road cycling or cooking!
Yao Yao
PR Officer
I completed my medical degree in China, where I found clinicians are sometimes powerless in the face of disease due to limited strategies. Therefore, I chose to focus on basic research for Master’s study, where I developed my interests in the filed of retinal neurodegenerative diseases. In 2024, I began my PhD at Radboudumc. My project centers on developing in vitro models using human iPSC-derived cells to study diabetic retinopathy. Through these disease models, we aim to develop novel therapeutic approaches. I met many lovely colleagues at last DOPS, and I'm delighted to help organize it this year!
Contact information:
Postal address
Stichting DOPS
Route 409
Philips van Leydenlaan 15
6525 EX Nijmegen
KvK: 70224161
Email: dopsvision@gmail.com