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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

Frits Prinzen

Professor

Frits Prinzen is emeritus professor of Physiology. He studied Medical Biology in Utrecht and defended his PhD in Maastricht in 1982. His research focusses on the relation between the electrical activation and mechanical contraction and pump function of the heart, with specific application to pacemaker therapies in heart failure. His work is highly translational, ranging from preclinical to clinical research and more recently also using computer simulations. Results from his work provided new insights in and opportunities for pacemaker therapies. He has participated in the CTMM-COHFAR consortium and has been and is workpackage leader in several EU-funded projects, including an International Training Network (Personalised in silico Cardiology). Several of his team members achieved personal grants (ZonMw Veni, Vidi, Clinical Fellow; Netherlands Heart Foundation junior and senior postdoc; young staff member). Besides, he ran multiple investigator-initiated studies that were funded by industry. He has been chairman of the Cardiovascular System Dynamics Society and of the Innovation Committee of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA). Currently he is member of the Scientific Initiatives Committee of EHRA. He is (co-)author on 330 scientific articles, with >10,000 citations and H-index of 56.

His main research topic is regional cardiac mechanics and long-term structural and functional adaptations to various conditions, with emphasis on asynchronous electrical activation and cardiac resynchronisation. Primarily animal experimental work, but with important links to Biomedical Engineering (computer models of cardiac electrophysiology and mechanics) and Cardiology (patients with pacemakers, bundle branch block, heart failure). With this background Prof. Frits Prinzen is a world expert on pacing therapies, both for bradycardia and for heart failure (cardiac resynchronisation therapy, CRT).

Frits-prinzen
Department of Physiology
Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht
PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht
T: +31(0)43 3881080
  • 2013
    • de Haan, J. J., Vermeulen Windsant, I. C., Lubbers, T., Hanssen, S. J., Hadfoune, M., Prinzen, F. W., Greve, J. W., & Buurman, W. A. (2013). Prevention of hemolysis-induced organ damage by nutritional activation of the vagal anti-inflammatory reflex*. Critical Care Medicine, 41(11), e361-367. https://doi.org/10.1097/CCM.0b013e31828e9262
  • 2012
    • Potse, M., Krause, D., Bacharova, L., Krause, R., Prinzen, F. W., & Auricchio, A. (2012). Similarities and differences between electrocardiogram signs of left bundle-branch block and left-ventricular uncoupling. EP Europace, 14(SUPPL. 5), V33-V39. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eus272
    • Babiker, F. A., van Golde, J., Vanagt, W. Y., & Prinzen, F. W. (2012). Pacing Postconditioning: Impact of Pacing Algorithm, Gender, and Diabetes on Its Myocardial Protective Effects. Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research, 5(5), 727-734. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12265-012-9390-7
    • Daubert, J.-C., Saxon, L., Adamson, P. B., Auricchio, A., Berger, R. D., Beshai, J. F., Breithard, O., Brignole, M., Cleland, J. G. F., DeLurgio, D. B., Dickstein, K., Exner, D. V., Gold, M., Grimm, R. A., Hayes, D. L., Israel, C., Leclercq, C., Linde, C., Lindenfeld, J., ... Torp-Pedersen, C. T. (2012). 2012 EHRA/HRS expert consensus statement on cardiac resynchronization therapy in heart failure: implant and follow-up recommendations and management. EP Europace, 14(9), 1236-1286. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eus222
    • Daubert, J.-C., Saxon, L., Adamson, P. B., Auricchio, A., Berger, R. D., Beshai, J. F., Breithard, O., Brignole, M., Cleland, J. G. F., DeLurgio, D. B., Dickstein, K., Exner, D. V., Gold, M., Grimm, R. A., Hayes, D. L., Israel, C., Leclercq, C., Linde, C., Lindenfeld, J., ... Zamorano, J. L. (2012). 2012 EHRA/HRS expert consensus statement on cardiac resynchronization therapy in heart failure: implant and follow-up recommendations and management. Heart Rhythm, 9(9), 1524-1576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2012.07.025
    • Houthuizen, P., Van Garsse, L. A. F. M., Poels, T. T., de Jaegere, P., van der Boon, R. M. A., Swinkels, B. M., ten Berg, J. M., van der Kley, F., Schalij, M. J., Baan, J. J., Cocchieri, R., Brueren, G. R. G., van Straten, A. H. M., den Heijer, P., Bentala, M., van Ommen, V., Kluin, J., Stella, P. R., Prins, M. H., ... Prinzen, F. W. (2012). Left Bundle-Branch Block Induced by Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Increases Risk of Death. Circulation, 126(6), 720-728. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.112.101055
    • Gorcsan, J. III., & Prinzen, F. W. (2012). Understanding the cardiac substrate and the underlying physiology: Implications for individualized treatment algorithm. Heart Rhythm, 9(8), S18-S26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2012.04.027
    • Lumens, J., Leenders, G. E., Cramer, M. J., De Boeck, B. W. L., Doevendans, P. A., Prinzen, F. W., & Delhaas, T. (2012). Mechanistic Evaluation of Echocardiographic Dyssynchrony Indices Patient Data Combined With Multiscale Computer Simulations. Circulation-Cardiovascular Imaging, 5(4), 491-499. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCIMAGING.112.973446
    • Svendsen, M., Prinzen, F. W., Das, M. K., Berwick, Z., Rybka, M., Tune, J. D., Combs, W., Berbari, E. J., & Kassab, G. S. (2012). Bi-ventricular pacing improves pump function only with adequate myocardial perfusion in canine hearts with pseudo-left bundle branch block. Experimental Biology and Medicine, 237(6), 644-651. https://doi.org/10.1258/ebm.2012.012023
    • van Deursen, C. J. M., Strik, M., Rademakers, L. M., van Hunnik, A., Kuiper, M., Wecke, L., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Vernooy, K., & Prinzen, F. W. (2012). Vectorcardiography as a Tool for Easy Optimization of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Canine Left Bundle Branch Block Hearts. Circulation-Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 5(3), 544-552. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCEP.111.966358
    • Wecke, L., van Hunnik, A., Thompson, T., DiCarlo, L., Zdeblick, M., Auricchio, A., & Prinzen, F. W. (2012). Networked multielectrode left ventricular pacing lead for avoidance of phrenic nerve stimulation in a canine model. Heart Rhythm, 9(5), 789-795. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2011.11.052
    • Leenders, G. E., De Boeck, B. W. L., Teske, A. J., Meine, M., Bogaard, M. D., Prinzen, F. W., Doevendans, P. A., & Cramer, M. J. (2012). Septal Rebound Stretch is a Strong Predictor of Outcome After Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. Journal of Cardiac Failure, 18(5), 404-412. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cardfail.2012.02.001
    • Strik, M., Regoli, F., Auricchio, A., & Prinzen, F. (2012). Electrical and Mechanical Ventricular Activation During Left Bundle Branch Block and Resynchronization. Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research, 5(2), 117-126. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12265-012-9351-1
    • Kuijpers, N. H. L., Hermeling, E., Bovendeerd, P. H. M., Delhaas, T., & Prinzen, F. W. (2012). Modeling Cardiac Electromechanics and Mechanoelectrical Coupling in Dyssynchronous and Failing Hearts. Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research, 5(2), 159-169. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12265-012-9346-y
    • Prinzen, F. W., & Auricchio, A. (2012). The "Missing" Link Between Acute Hemodynamic Effect and Clinical Response. Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research, 5(2), 188-195. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12265-011-9331-x
    • Strik, M., Rademakers, L. M., van Deursen, C. J. M., van Hunnik, A., Kuiper, M., Klersy, C., Auricchio, A., & Prinzen, F. W. (2012). Endocardial Left Ventricular Pacing Improves Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Chronic Asynchronous Infarction and Heart Failure Models. Circulation-Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 5(1), 191-200. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCEP.111.965814
    • Kalder, J., Keschenau, P., Hanssen, S. J. P., Greiner, A., Vermeulen Windsant, I. C., Kennes, L. N., Tolba, R., Prinzen, F. W., Buurman, W. A., Jacobs, M. J. H. M., & Koeppel, T. A. (2012). The impact of selective visceral perfusion on intestinal macrohemodynamics and microhemodynamics in a porcine model of thoracic aortic cross-clamping.Journal of Vascular Surgery, 56(1), 149-158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2011.11.126
    • Leenders, G. E., Lumens, J., Cramer, M. J., De Boeck, B. W. L., Doevendans, P. A., Delhaas, T., & Prinzen, F. W. (2012). Septal Deformation Patterns Delineate Mechanical Dyssynchrony and Regional Differences in Contractility Analysis of Patient Data Using a Computer Model. Circulation-Heart Failure, 5(1), 87-96. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.111.962704
    • Hermeling, E., Delhaas, T., Prinzen, F. W., & Kuijpers, N. H. L. (2012). Mechano-electrical feedback explains T-wave morphology and optimizes cardiac pump function: Insight from a multi-scale model. Progress in Biophysics & Molecular Biology, 110(2-3), 359-371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2012.07.008
  • 2011
    • van Geldorp, I. E., Delhaas, T., Gebauer, R. A., Frias, P., Tomaske, M., Friedberg, M. K., Tisma-Dupanovic, S., Elders, J., Fruh, A., Gabbarini, F., Kubus, P., Illikova, V., Tsao, S., Blank, A. C., Hiippala, A., Sluysmans, T., Karpawich, P., Clur, S.-A., Ganame, X., ... Janousek, J. (2011). Impact of the permanent ventricular pacing site on left ventricular function in children: a retrospective multicentre survey. Heart, 97(24), 2051-2055. https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2011-300197
    • Bogaard, M. D., Houthuizen, P., Bracke, F. A., Doevendans, P. A., Prinzen, F. W., Meine, M., & van Gelder, B. M. (2011). Baseline left ventricular dP/dt(max) rather than the acute improvement in dP/dt(max) predicts clinical outcome in patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy. European journal of heart failure, 13(10), 1126-1132. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjhf/hfr094
    • Foley, P. W. X., Chalil, S., Ratib, K., Smith, R., Prinzen, F., Auricchio, A., & Leyva, F. (2011). Fluoroscopic Left Ventricular Lead Position and the Long-Term Clinical Outcome of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, 34(7), 785-797. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-8159.2011.03114.x
    • Leyva, F., Foley, P. W. X., Chalil, S., Ratib, K., Smith, R. E. A., Prinzen, F., & Auricchio, A. (2011). Cardiac resynchronization therapy guided by late gadolinium-enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance. Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, 13(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/1532-429X-13-29
    • Strik, M., Ploux, S., Vernooy, K., & Prinzen, F. W. (2011). Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy - Refocus on the Electrical Substrate. Circulation Journal, 75(6), 1297-1304. https://doi.org/10.1253/circj.CJ-11-0356
    • van Geldorp, I. E., Vanagt, W. Y., Prinzen, F. W., & Delhaas, T. (2011). Chronic ventricular pacing in children: toward prevention of pacing-induced heart disease. Heart Failure Reviews, 16(3), 305-314. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10741-010-9207-1
    • Cornelussen, R. N., Splett, V., Klepfer, R. N., Stegemann, B., Kornet, L., & Prinzen, F. W. (2011). Electrical modalities beyond pacing for the treatment of heart failure. Heart Failure Reviews, 16(3), 315-325. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10741-010-9206-2
    • Prinzen, F. W., Vernooy, K., DeBoeck, B. W. L., & Delhaas, T. (2011). Mechano-energetics of the asynchronous and resynchronized heart. Heart Failure Reviews, 16(3), 215-224. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10741-010-9205-3
    • Kuijpers, N. H. L., Potse, M., van Dam, P. M., ten Eikelder, H. M. M., Verheule, S., Prinzen, F. W., & Schotten, U. (2011). Mechanoelectrical coupling enhances initiation and affects perpetuation of atrial fibrillation during acute atrial dilation. Heart Rhythm, 8(3), 429-436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2010.11.020
    • Auricchio, A., & Prinzen, F. W. (2011). Non-Responders to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy - The Magnitude of the Problem and the Issues. Circulation Journal, 75(3), 521-527. https://doi.org/10.1253/circj.CJ-10-1268
    • Klimusina, J., De Boeck, B. W. L., Leenders, G. E. H., Faletra, F. F., Prinzen, F., Averaimo, M., Pasotti, E., Klersy, C., Moccetti, T., & Auricchio, A. (2011). Redistribution of left ventricular strain by cardiac resynchronization therapy in heart failure patients. European journal of heart failure, 13(2), 186-194. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjhf/hfq197
    • Hanssen, S. J. P., Lubbers, T., Hodin, C. M. I., Prinzen, F. W., Buurman, W. A., & Jacobs, M. J. H. M. (2011). Hemolysis results in impaired intestinal microcirculation and intestinal epithelial cell injury. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 17(2), 213-218. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v17.i2.213
    • van Geldorp, I. E., Delhaas, T., Hermans, B., Vernooy, K., Broers, B., Klimusina, J., Regoli, F., Faletra, F. F., Moccetti, T., Gerritse, B., Cornelussen, R., Settels, J. J., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Auricchio, A., & Prinzen, F. W. (2011). Comparison of a non-invasive arterial pulse contour technique and echo Doppler aorta velocity-time integral on stroke volume changes in optimization of cardiac resynchronization therapy. EP Europace, 13(1), 87-95. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euq348
    • Bacharova, L., Mateasik, A., Krause, R., Prinzen, F. W., Auricchio, A., & Potse, M. (2011). The effect of reduced intercellular coupling on electrocardiographic signs of left ventricular hypertrophy. Journal of Electrocardiology, 44(5), 571-576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2011.06.004
  • 2010
    • Blaauw, E., van Nieuwenhoven, F. A., Willemsen, P., Delhaas, T., Prinzen, F. W., Snoeckx, L. H., van Bilsen, M., & van der Vusse, G. J. (2010). Stretch-induced hypertrophy of isolated adult rabbit cardiomyocytes. American Journal of Physiology-heart and Circulatory Physiology, 299(3), H780-H787. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpheart.00822.2009
    • De Boeck, B. W. L., Teske, A. J., Leenders, G. E., Hoesein, F. A. A. M., Loh, P., van Driel, V. J., Doevendans, P. A., Prinzen, F. W., & Cramer, M. J. (2010). Detection and Quantification by Deformation Imaging of the Functional Impact of Septal Compared to Free Wall Preexcitation in the Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. American Journal of Cardiology, 106(4), 539-546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2010.03.066
    • Rademakers, L. M., van Kerckhoven, R., van Deursen, C. J. M., Strik, M., van Hunnik, A., Kuiper, M., Lampert, A., Klersy, C., Leyva, F., Auricchio, A., Maessen, J. G., & Prinzen, F. W. (2010). Myocardial Infarction Does Not Preclude Electrical and Hemodynamic Benefits of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Dyssynchronous Canine Hearts. Circulation-Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 3(4), 361-368. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCEP.109.931865
    • Babiker, F. A., Lorenzen-Schmidt, I., Mokelke, E., Vanagt, W. Y., Delhaas, T., Waltenberger, J., Cleutjens, J. P., & Prinzen, F. W. (2010). Long-term protection and mechanism of pacing-induced postconditioning in the heart. Basic Research in Cardiology, 105(4), 523-533. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00395-010-0095-2
    • Arts, T., Prinzen, F. W., Delhaas, T., Milles, J. R., Rossi, A. C., & Clarysse, P. (2010). Mapping Displacement and Deformation of the Heart With Local Sine-Wave Modeling. Ieee Transactions on Medical Imaging, 29(5), 1114-1123. https://doi.org/10.1109/TMI.2009.2037955
    • Porciani, C. M., Lilli, A., Cappelli, F., Pappone, A., Perini, A. P., Pieragnoli, P., Ricciardi, G., Rao, C. M., Prinzen, F. W., Michelucci, A., & Padeletti, L. (2010). Echo/Doppler-derived time intervals are able to predict left ventricular reverse remodeling after cardiac resynchronization therapy. Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine, 11(3), 157-163. https://doi.org/10.2459/JCM.0b013e328332e938
    • van Geldorp, I. E., Vernooy, K., Delhaas, T., Prins, M. H., Crijns, H. J., Prinzen, F. W., & Dijkman, B. (2010). Beneficial effects of biventricular pacing in chronically right ventricular paced patients with mild cardiomyopathy. EP Europace, 12(2), 223-229. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eup378
  • 2009
    • Driesen, R. B., Verheyen, F. K., Schaart, G., de Maziere, A., Viebahn, C., Prinzen, F. W., Lenders, M. H., Debie, W., Totzeck, A., Borgers, M., & Ramaekers, F. C. (2009). Cardiotin localization in mitochondria of cardiomyocytes in vivo and in vitro and its down-regulation during dedifferentiation. Cardiovascular Pathology, 18(1), 19-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carpath.2007.12.008
  • 2006
    • Vanagt, W. Y., Cornelussen, R. N., Poulina, Q. P., Blaauw, E., Vernooy, K., Cleutjens, J. P., van Bilsen, M., Delhaas, T., & Prinzen, F. W. (2006). Pacing-induced dys-synchrony preconditions rabbit myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury. Circulation, 114(1 Suppl), I264-9. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.000893
    • Sen, S., Rose, C., Ytrebo, L. M., Davies, N. A., Nedredal, G. I., Drevland, S. S., Kjonno, M., Prinzen, F. W., Hodges, S. J., Deutz, N. E. P., Williams, R., Butterworth, R. F., Revhaug, A., & Jalan, R. A. (2006). Effect of albumin dialysis on intracranial pressure increase in pigs with acute liver failure: a randomized study. Critical Care Medicine, 34(1), 158-164. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.CCM.0000196203.39832.3C
    • Ytrebo, L. M., Sen, S., Rose, C., Davies, N. A., Nedredal, G. I., Fuskevaag, O. M., ten Have, G. A. M., Prinzen, F. W., Williams, R., Deutz, N. E., Jalan, R., & Revhaug, A. (2006). Systemic and regional haemodynamics in pigs with acute liver failure and the effect of albumin dialysis. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, 41(11), 1350-1360. https://doi.org/10.1080/00365520600714527
  • 1998
    • van Oosterhout, M. F., Prinzen, F. W., Arts, T., Schreuder, J. J., Vanagt, W. Y., Cleutjens, J. P., & Reneman, R. S. (1998). Asynchronous electrical activation induces asymmetrical hypertrophy of the left ventricular wall. Circulation, 98(6), 588-95. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.cir.98.6.588
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