Paola van der Meijden
Assistant Professor
Dr. Paola van der Meijden is an Associate Professor at the department of Biochemistry of Maastricht University, affiliated with the Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM). Her research focuses on the mechanisms underlying thrombosis and haemostasis, with particular emphasis on platelet biology and the interplay between platelets, coagulation and the vascular system. Alongside her research activities, she is involved in teaching and student advising, supporting the personal and professional development of students.
Since 2010, she has held a bridging position within the Maastricht Thrombosis Expertise Center, connecting fundamental research on thrombosis and hemostasis with clinical research and applications. With over 20 years of experience in platelet research, she has developed extensive expertise in platelet phenotyping in haemostatic and thrombotic disorders and in the context of antithrombotic treatment. Paola her research interests include platelet priming and the functional specialisation of platelet populations. She has established a strong national and international collaborative network in the field of thrombosis and haemostasis. A key aspect of her work is the development and application of advanced experimental models, including microfluidic systems, to study thrombus formation and platelet function in human blood. As a co-founder of the platform Hemosum, she is also committed to improve bleeding risk prediction and treatment of patients with hereditary or acquired hemostatic disorders by enabling rapid assessment of the haemostatic balance.
Through her research, she aims to advance the understanding of haemostatic and thrombotic disorders and contribute to the development of biomarkers and innovative diagnostic tools that support improved risk assessment and more personalized treatment strategies.