The University of Amsterdam has awarded an honorary PhD to Prof. Liesbet Geris, recognising her groundbreaking contributions to the Virtual Human Twin—an innovative computational framework revolutionising biomedical research.
This prestigious honour was conferred on January 16, 2025, during the university’s Dies Natalis celebration. Prof. Alfons Hoekstra (Computational Science & Engineering, Faculty of Science) and Prof. Henk Marquering (Translational Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Medicine) served as honorary supervisors for Prof. Geris.
Who is Prof. Liesbet Geris?
Prof. Liesbet Geris is a renowned Research Professor specialising in Biomechanics and Computational Tissue Engineering at the University of Liège and KU Leuven in Belgium. She is the scientific coordinator of Prometheus, a leading platform for Skeletal Tissue Engineering, and the current Executive Director of the Virtual Physiological Human Institute (VPHi).
Prof. Geris develops cutting-edge digital representations of human health and disease states, known as “Virtual Human Twins.” These computational models simulate the body’s physical and biological processes, paving the way for personalised treatments in clinical settings.
What Is the Virtual Human Twin?
As Prof. Geris explains:
“A digital twin is a computer model of a product, process, or system. It makes predictions that can be used to intervene. In healthcare, this means creating personalised computer models of cells, tissues, or even entire bodies. These models help us understand diseases better and predict the most effective treatments. Additionally, we can use digital twins to optimise the design and performance of medical devices, such as implants or pacemakers, accelerating their journey to market.”
This transformative technology has the potential to revolutionise how medical professionals approach diagnosis, treatment, and device development.
Liesbet Geris and Her Role in ONTOX
In the ONTOX project, Prof. Geris is pivotal in integrating data, ontology, and artificial intelligence within the biological domain. She leads efforts to establish physiological maps for key organs like the liver, kidney, and developing brain, as well as the creation of ontology maps to address systemic repeated-dose toxicity effects. Her leadership in these areas ensures the project’s advancements remain at the forefront of scientific innovation.
Mentoring Future Scientists: A Personal Mission
For Prof. Geris, guiding and mentoring young researchers is one of her greatest joys. “It is incredibly satisfying to see a PhD student or Postdoc grow into an independent researcher. Being able to help them on their journey and watch them flourish is something I truly enjoy.”
Reflecting on her own journey, Prof. Geris shares her wisdom:
“To my younger self, I would say: keep believing, stay passionate. If you believe in your subject and show people your enthusiasm, they will recognise its value. Passion is contagious—it can even convince sceptics of the importance of your research.”
Spotlight on Liesbet Geris’s Work
A glimpse into Prof. Geris’s pioneering research is available in a video filmed at the University of Liege – GIGA institute:
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