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Uyên Châu Nguyên wins UM Dissertation Prize 2025

Uyên Châu Nguyên wins UM Dissertation Prize 2025

29 January 2026

During the Dies Natalis of Maastricht University, Uyên Châu Nguyên received the UM Dissertation Prize 2025.

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Global research network launched to study menopause and heart health

Global research network launched to study menopause and heart health

20 January 2026

Ten international health research funders, including the Dutch Heart Foundation, are investing $10 million in a new global research network to improve early prevention of cardiovascular disease in women. The initiative focuses on understanding how menopause affects heart health and how early intervention can reduce risk.

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Carim Maastricht
Carim Maastricht

Henri Spronk

Professor

Initially trained in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Nijmegen University, Dr Henri Spronk obtained a PhD in Biochemistry on the effects of impaired vitamin K-dependent protein carboxylation.

The focus of his current work is on the bidirectional relation between coagulation and inflammation, as well as on the applicability of functional plasma assays such as thrombin generation, for atherothrombotic risk prediction. He has a special interest in the role of active coagulation factors, mainly thrombin, in activation of protein-activated receptors (PARs) which can regulate the balance between vascular protective and disruptive. Overall, knowledge on the non-haemostatic functions of thrombin and factor Xa enables pharmacological interference in cellular processes contributing to the the development and progression of atherosclerosis or atrial fibrillation.

Henri-spronk

Department of Biochemistry
Department of Internal Medicine
Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht
PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht
Room number: H.1.328
T: +31(0)43 388 42 61

  • 2012
    • Borissoff, J. I., Joosen, I. A., Versteylen, M. O., Spronk, H. M., ten Cate, H., & Hofstra, L. (2012). Accelerated In Vivo Thrombin Formation Independently Predicts the Presence and Severity of CT Angiographic Coronary Atherosclerosis. JACC-Cardiovascular Imaging, 5(12), 1201-1210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcmg.2012.01.023
    • Dargaud, Y., Wolberg, A. S., Luddington, R., Regnault, V., Spronk, H., Baglin, T., Lecompte, T., Ten Cate, H., & Negrier, C. (2012). Evaluation of a standardized protocol for thrombin generation measurement using the calibrated automated thrombogram: An international multicentre study. Thrombosis Research, 130(6), 929-934. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2012.07.017
    • Loeffen, R., Kleinegris, M. .-C. F., Loubele, S. T. B. G., Pluijmen, P. H. M., Fens, D., van Oerle, R., ten Cate, H., & Spronk, H. M. H. (2012). Preanalytic variables of thrombin generation: towards a standard procedure and validation of the method. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 10(12), 2544-2554. https://doi.org/10.1111/jth.12012
    • Geenen, I. L., Post, M. J., Molin, D. G. M., Schurink, G. W. H., Maessen, J. G., van Oerle, R., ten Cate, H., & Spronk, H. M. H. (2012). Coagulation on endothelial cells: the underexposed part of Virchow's Triad. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 108(5), 863-871. https://doi.org/10.1160/TH12-04-0269
    • Talens, S., Malfliet, J. J. M. C., Rudez, G., Spronk, H. M. H., Janssen, N. A. H., Meijer, P., Kluft, C., de Maat, M. P. M., & Rijken, D. C. (2012). Biological variation in tPA-induced plasma clot lysis time. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 108(4), 640-646. https://doi.org/10.1160/TH12-02-0124
    • Lance, M. D., Kuiper, G. J. A. J. M., Sloep, M., Spronk, H. M. H., van Oerle, R., ten Cate, H., Marcus, M. A. E., & Henskens, Y. M. C. (2012). The effects of pneumatic tube system transport on ROTEM analysis and contact activation assessed by thrombin generation test. Thrombosis Research, 130(3), E147-E150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2012.05.002
    • van der Meijden, P. E. J., van Schilfgaarde, M., van Oerle, R., Renne, T., ten Cate, H., & Spronk, H. M. H. (2012). Platelet- and erythrocyte-derived microparticles trigger thrombin generation via factor XIIa. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 10(7), 1355-1362. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1538-7836.2012.04758.x
    • Loeffen, R., Spronk, H. M. H., & ten Cate, H. (2012). The impact of blood coagulability on atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 10(7), 1207-1216. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1538-7836.2012.04782.x
    • Beijers, H. J. B. H., Ferreira, I., Spronk, H. M. H., Bravenboer, B., Dekker, J. M., Nijpels, G., ten Cate, H., & Stehouwer, C. D. A. (2012). Impaired glucose metabolism and type 2 diabetes are associated with hypercoagulability: potential role of central adiposity and low-grade inflammation - The Hoorn Study. Thrombosis Research, 129(5), 557-562. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2011.07.033
    • Trappenburg, M. C., van Schilfgaarde, M., Frerichs, F. C. P., Spronk, H. M. H., ten Cate, H., de Fijter, C. W. H., Terpstra, W. E., & Leyte, A. (2012). Chronic renal failure is accompanied by endothelial activation and a large increase in microparticle numbers with reduced procoagulant capacity. Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, 27(4), 1446-1453. https://doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfr474
    • Lecut, C., Faccinetto, C., Delierneux, C., Van Oerle, R., Spronk, H. M. H., Evans, R. J., El Benna, J., Bours, V., & Oury, C. (2012). ATP-gated P2X1 ion channels protect against endotoxemia by dampening neutrophil activation. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 10(3), 453-465. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1538-7836.2011.04606.x
  • 2011
    • Mahmoodi, B. K., Mulder, A. B., Waanders, F., Spronk, H. M. H., Mulder, E. R., Slagman, M. C. J., Vogt, L., Navis, G., Ten Cate, H., Kluin-Nelemans, H. C., & Laverman, G. D. (2011). The impact of antiproteinuric therapy on the prothrombotic state in patients with overt proteinuria. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 9(12), 2416-2423. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1538-7836.2011.04525.x
    • Winckers, K., Siegerink, B., Duckers, C., Maurissen, L. F., Tans, G., Castoldi, E., Spronk, H. M. H., Ten Cate, H., Algra, A., Hackeng, T. M., & Rosendaal, F. R. (2011). Increased tissue factor pathway inhibitor activity is associated with myocardial infarction in young women: results from the RATIO study. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 9(11), 2243-2250. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1538-7836.2011.04497.x
    • Honickel, M., Rieg, A. D., Rossaint, R., Braunschweig, T., Spronk, H. M. H., ten Cate, H., van Oerle, R., Tolba, R., & Grottke, O. (2011). Prothrombin complex concentrate reduces blood loss and enhances thrombin generation in a pig model with blunt liver injury under severe hypothermia. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 106(4), 724-733. https://doi.org/10.1160/TH11-02-0101
    • Grottke, O., Braunschweig, T., Spronk, H. M. H., Esch, S., Rieg, A. D., van Oerle, R., ten Cate, H., Fitzner, C., Tolba, R., & Rossaint, R. (2011). Increasing concentrations of prothrombin complex concentrate induce disseminated intravascular coagulation in a pig model of coagulopathy with blunt liver injury. Blood, 118(7), 1943-1951. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2011-03-343046
    • Kilinc, E., Van Oerle, R., Borissoff, J. I., Oschatz, C., Gerlofs Nijland, M. E., Janssen, N. A., Cassee, F. R., Sandstrom, T., Renne, T., Ten Cate, H., & Spronk, H. M. H. (2011). Factor XII activation is essential to sustain the procoagulant effects of particulate matter. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 9(7), 1359-1367. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1538-7836.2011.04280.x
    • Borissoff, J. I., Spronk, H. M. H., & ten Cate, H. (2011). MECHANISMS OF DISEASE The Hemostatic System as a Modulator of Atherosclerosis. New England Journal of Medicine, 364(18), 1746-1760. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1011670
    • Trappenburg, M. C., van Schilfgaarde, M., Bredewold, E. O., van Aalderen, M. C., Spronk, H. M. H., ten Cate, H., Leyte, A., & Terpstra, W. E. (2011). Elevated numbers and altered subsets of procoagulant microparticles in breast cancer patients using endocrine therapy. Thrombosis Research, 127(4), 363-369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2010.12.015
    • Panova-Noeva, M., Marchetti, M., Spronk, H. M., Russo, L., Diani, E., Finazzi, G., Salmoiraghi, S., Rambaldi, A., Barbui, T., Ten Cate, H., & Falanga, A. (2011). Platelet-induced thrombin generation by the calibrated automated thrombogram assay is increased in patients with essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera. American Journal of Hematology, 86(4), 337-342. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajh.21974
    • Kilinc, E., Schulz, H., Kuiper, G. J. A. J. M., Spronk, H. M. H., ten Cate, H., Upadhyay, S., Ganguly, K., Stoeger, T., Semmler-Bhenke, M., Takenaka, S., Kreyling, W. G., Pitz, M., Reitmeir, P., Peters, A., Eickelberg, O., & Wichmann, H. E. (2011). The procoagulant effects of fine particulate matter in vivo. Particle and Fibre Toxicology, 8, 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-8977-8-12
    • Smid, M., Dielis, A. W. J. H., Winkens, M. H. M., Spronk, H. M. H., van Oerle, R., Hamulyak, K., Prins, M. H., Rosing, J., Waltenberger, J. L., & ten Cate, H. (2011). Thrombin generation in patients with a first acute myocardial infarction. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 9(3), 450-456. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1538-7836.2010.04162.x
  • 2010
    • Beijers, H. J. B. H., Ferreira, I., Spronk, H. M. H., Bravenboer, B., Dekker, J. M., Nijpels, G., ten Cate, H., & Stehouwer, C. D. A. (2010). Body composition as determinant of thrombin generation in plasma: the Hoorn study.Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 30(12), 2639-2647. https://doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.110.211946
    • Gerlofs-Nijland, M. E., Totlandsdal, A. I., Kilinc, E., Boere, J. A. F., Fokkens, P. H. B., Leseman, D. L. A. C., Sioutas, C., Schwarze, P. E., Spronk, H. M., Hadoke, P. W. F., Miller, M. R., & Cassee, F. R. (2010). Pulmonary and cardiovascular effects of traffic-related particulate matter: 4-week exposure of rats to roadside and diesel engine exhaust particles. Inhalation Toxicology, 22(14), 1162-1173. https://doi.org/10.3109/08958378.2010.531062
    • Dargaud, Y., Spronk, H. M. H., Leenders, P., Hemker, H. C., & Ten Cate, H. (2010). Monitoring platelet dependent thrombin generation in mice. Thrombosis Research, 126(5), 436-441. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2010.08.007
    • Borissoff, J. I., Heeneman, S., Kilinc, E., Kassak, P., Van Oerle, R., Winckers, K., Govers-Riemslag, J. W. P., Hamulyak, K., Hackeng, T. M., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Ten Cate, H., & Spronk, H. M. H. (2010). Early Atherosclerosis Exhibits an Enhanced Procoagulant State. Circulation, 122(8), 821-U145. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.907121
    • Knottnerus, I. L. H., Govers-Riemslag, J. W. P., Hamulyak, K., Rouhl, R. P. W., Staals, J., Spronk, H. M. H., van Oerle, R., van Raak, E. P. M., Lodder, J., ten Cate, H., & van Oostenbrugge, R. J. (2010). Endothelial Activation in Lacunar Stroke Subtypes. Stroke, 41(8), 1617-1622. https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.109.576223
    • Loubele, S. T. B. G., ten Cate, H., & Spronk, H. M. H. (2010). Anticoagulant therapy in critical organ ischaemia/reperfusion injury. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 104(1), 136-142. https://doi.org/10.1160/TH09-08-0582
    • Kooter, I. M., Gerlofs-Nijland, M. E., Boere, A. J. F., Leseman, D. L. A. C., Fokkens, P. H. B., Spronk, H. M. H., Frederix, K., Ten Cate, H., Knaapen, A. M., Vreman, H. J., & Cassee, F. R. (2010). Diesel engine exhaust initiates a sequence of pulmonary and cardiovascular effects in rats. Journal of Toxicology, 2010, 206057. https://doi.org/10.1155/2010/206057
  • 2009
    • Loubele, S. T. B. G., Spek, C. A., Leenders, P., van Oerle, R., Aberson, H. L., van der Voort, D., Hamulyák, K., Petersen, L. C., Spronk, H. M. H., & ten Cate, H. (2009). Active site inhibited factor VIIa attenuates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 7(2), 290-8. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1538-7836.2008.03232.x
  • 2008
    • Frederix, K., Kooter, I. M., van Oerle, R., Fens, D., Hamulyak, K., Gerlofs-Nijland, M. E., Ten Cate, H., & Spronk, H. M. (2008). A new method to determine tissue specific tissue factor thrombomodulin activities: endotoxin and particulate air pollution induced disbalance. Thrombosis Journal, 6, 14. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-9560-6-14
    • Dielis, A. W. J. H., Balliël, W. M. R., van Oerle, R., Hermens, W. T., Spronk, H. M. H., Ten Cate, H., & Hamulyak, K. (2008). Thrombomodulin-modified thrombin generation after in vivo recombinant factor VIII treatment in severe hemophilia A. Haematologica-the Hematology Journal, 93(9), 1351-7. https://doi.org/10.3324/haematol.13039
  • 2007
    • Dielis, A. W. J. H., Smid, M., Spronk, H. M. H., Houben, A. J. H. M., Hamulyák, K., Kroon, A. A., Ten Cate, H., & de Leeuw, P. W. (2007). Changes in fibrinolytic activity after angiotensin II receptor blockade in therapy-resistant hypertensive patients. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 5(7), 1509-15. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1538-7836.2007.02577.x
  • 2006
    • Spronk, H. M. H. (2006). Vitamin K epoxide reductase complex and vascular calcification: is this the important link between vitamin K and the arterial vessel wall?Circulation, 113(12), 1550-2. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.617167
    • Sommeijer, D. W., Hansen, H. R., van Oerle, R., Hamulyak, K., van Zanten, A. P., Meesters, E., Spronk, H. M. H., & ten Cate, H. (2006). Soluble tissue factor is a candidate marker for progression of microvascular disease in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 4(3), 574-80. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1538-7836.2005.01763.x
    • de Waard, V., Hansen, H. R., Spronk, H. H. M., Timmerman, J. J., Pannekoek, H., Florquin, S., Reitsma, P. H., & ten Cate, H. (2006). Differential expression of tissue factor mRNA and protein expression in murine sepsis. The role of the granulocyte revisited. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 95(2), 348-53. https://doi.org/10.1160/TH05-07-0512
  • 2005
    • Dielis, A. W. J. H., Smid, M., Spronk, H. M. H., Hamulyak, K., Kroon, A. A., ten Cate, H., & de Leeuw, P. W. (2005). The prothrombotic paradox of hypertension: role of the renin-angiotensin and kallikrein-kinin systems. Hypertension, 46(6), 1236-42. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.HYP.0000193538.20705.23
    • Sommeijer, D. W., van Oerle, R., Reitsma, P. H., Timmerman, J. J., Meijers, J. C. M., Spronk, H. M. H., & ten Cate, H. (2005). Analysis of blood coagulation in mice: pre-analytical conditions and evaluation of a home-made assay for thrombin-antithrombin complexes. Thrombosis Journal, 3, Article 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-9560-3-12
  • 2004
    • Spronk, H. M., van der Voort, D., & Ten Cate, H. (2004). Blood coagulation and the risk of atherothrombosis: a complex relationship. Thrombosis Journal, 2(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-9560-2-12
    • Soute, B. A. M., Jin, D.-Y., Spronk, H. M. H., Mutucumarana, V. P., Lin, P.-J., Hackeng, T. M., Stafford, D. W., & Vermeer, C. (2004). Characteristics of recombinant W501S mutated human gamma-glutamyl carboxylase. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 2(4), 597-604. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1538-7836.2004.00686.x
  • 2003
    • Spronk, H. M. H., Soute, B. A. M., Schurgers, L. J., Thijssen, H. H. W., De Mey, J. G. R., & Vermeer, C. (2003). Tissue-specific utilization of menaquinone-4 results in the prevention of arterial calcification in warfarin-treated rats. Journal of Vascular Research, 40(6), 531-7. https://doi.org/10.1159/000075344
    • Spronk, H. M. H., Govers-Riemslag, J. W. P., & ten Cate, H. (2003). The blood coagulation system as a molecular machine. Bioessays, 25(12), 1220-8. https://doi.org/10.1002/bies.10360
  • 2001
    • Dhore, C. R., Cleutjens, J. P., Lutgens, E., Cleutjens, K. B., Geusens, P. P., Kitslaar, P. J., Tordoir, J. H., Spronk, H. M., Vermeer, C., & Daemen, M. J. (2001). Differential expression of bone matrix regulatory proteins in human atherosclerotic plaques. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 21(12), 1998-2003. https://doi.org/10.1161/hq1201.100229
    • Spronk, H. M., Soute, B. A., Schurgers, L. J., Cleutjens, J. P., Thijssen, H. H., De Mey, J. G., & Vermeer, C. (2001). Matrix Gla protein accumulates at the border of regions of calcification and normal tissue in the media of the arterial vessel wall. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 289(2), 485-90. https://doi.org/10.1006/bbrc.2001.5996
    • Mousallem, M., Spronk, H. M., Sacy, R., Hakime, N., & Soute, B. A. (2001). Congenital combined deficiencies of all vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 86(5), 1334-1336. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0037-1616072
    • Farzaneh-Far, A., Davies, J. D., Braam, L. A., Spronk, H. M., Proudfoot, D., Chan, S. W., O'Shaughnessy, K. M., Weissberg, P. L., Vermeer, C., & Shanahan, C. M. (2001). A polymorphism of the human matrix gamma-carboxyglutamic acid protein promoter alters binding of an activating protein-1 complex and is associated with altered transcription and serum levels. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 276(35), 32466-73. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M104909200
    • Hackeng, T. M., Rosing, J., Spronk, H. M., & Vermeer, C. (2001). Total chemical synthesis of human matrix Gla protein. Protein Science, 10(4), 864-70. https://doi.org/10.1110/ps.44701
    • Schurgers, L. J., Dissel, P. E., Spronk, H. M., Soute, B. A., Dhore, C. R., Cleutjens, J. P., & Vermeer, C. (2001). Role of vitamin K and vitamin K-dependent proteins in vascular calcification. Zeitschrift fur Kardiologie, 90 Suppl 3, 57-63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s003920170043
  • 2000
    • Spronk, H. M., Farah, R. A., Buchanan, G. R., Vermeer, C., & Soute, B. A. (2000). Novel mutation in the gamma-glutamyl carboxylase gene resulting in congenital combined deficiency of all vitamin K-dependent blood coagulation factors. Blood, 96(10), 3650-3652. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.V96.10.3650
    • Braam, L. A., Dissel, P., Gijsbers, B. L., Spronk, H. M., Hamulyák, K., Soute, B. A., Debie, W., & Vermeer, C. (2000). Assay for human matrix gla protein in serum: potential applications in the cardiovascular field. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 20(5), 1257-61. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.atv.20.5.1257
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