Rory Koenen

Professor

Dr Rory  Koenen studied biochemistry in Sittard (BSc) and at the Radboud University in Nijmegen (MSc), the Netherlands from 1993-1999. He completed his PhD in cardiovascular sciences at CARIM Maastricht University in 2005. He then worked in Germany at IMCAR, RWTH Aachen University until 2010 and then moved to IPEK at the LMU in Munich chaired by Christian Weber. In 2012, he returned to CARIM as the recipient of a Vidi grant.

Dr Koenen is currently investigating the functions of platelets beyond hemostasis, platelet microvesicles and the role of particular inflammatory molecules in vascular disease e.g. thrombosis and atherosclerosis. For example, he aims to characterise the molecular aspects of chemokine RANTES and platelet factor 4 secretion from platelets and its importance in the development of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, Dr Koenen is interested in the role of cell adhesion molecules in platelet function and in how platelets maintain interactions with other cell types (leukocytes, endothelial and smooth muscle cells). Finally, Dr Koenen investigates how platelets and their microvesicles can influence the behavior and phenotype of these cells.

As of 1 March 2023, Prof. Koenen holds a professorship of Vascular Inflammation and Thrombosis.