The European Union has approved three new Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks involving CARIM researchers as coordinators or partners.

LipiBRIGHT, coordinated by Dr Neidi Noels (Dept of Biochemistry), unites scientists across Europe to study lipid mediators in cardiovascular disease, chronic inflammation, kidney disease, and cancer. The consortium includes six research institutions, two SMEs from five countries (NL, BE, DE, FR, SE), and an associated institute from Switzerland, supported by 16 additional partners for training and dissemination. Over 2026-2030, 11 doctoral researchers will be trained to explore lipid roles in disease mechanisms, detection, and therapy.

ThromboRisk, involving Dr Maarten Snoeijs (Dept of Vascular Surgery), Dr Arina ten Cate-Hoek (Dept of Biochemistry), Dr Magdi Nagy (Dept of Biochemistry), Prof. Robert van Oostenbrugge (Dept of Neurology), and Prof. Eline Kooi (Dept of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine) and coordinated by Eindhoven University of Technology, will train 18 doctoral candidates in mechanobiology, biochemistry, pathophysiology, and computational modelling of thrombosis. By integrating in silico, in vitro, and in vivo approaches, the network aims to bridge cellular mechanisms and clinical outcomes in thrombotic diseases, fostering personalised therapies. A distinctive feature is Challenge-Based Learning (CBL), where candidates collaboratively tackle real-world medical challenges with academia and industry.

In TrackAF, CARIM+HVC through Dr Stef Zeemering (Dept of Physiology) will host three doctoral researchers and lead the network’s training programme. TrackAF will train 15 researchers to improve understanding and management of atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial cardiomyopathy through clinical research, computational modelling, AI, and experimental studies. The project focuses on disease progression, and the effects of age and sex on AF outcomes, addressing priorities from the 2024 European AF guidelines. The Maastricht team will integrate modelling, data science, and AI to enhance AF prediction, risk stratification, and treatment, preparing a new generation of translational cardiovascular scientists.