Bente Jongejans

Where were you born?

I was born in Sneek but I grew up in Harlingen.

What kind of studies do/will you work on?

I will be working on several clinical studies where we will evaluate drug distribution in (pre-)cancerous lesions in the esophagus and rectum. Besides oncology-related clinical studies I will also focus on visualizing drug therapy in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Why do you want to do research/work in this field?

During my previous years working as a doctor in the Gastroenterology and Hepatology department, I witnessed many patients where the right therapy came too late. Either because the cancer was diagnosed in advanced stages, or because the IBD progressed too fast for the patient to find the optimal treatment.

By working with OMIG I hope to make a small contribution in optimizing treatment for these patients while also expanding my scientific skills and knowledge as a doctor to hopefully keep making contributions in the field of Gastroenterology and Hepatology in the future.

What is your background/did you study?

I studied Medicine in Groningen, after which I worked as a doctor for (almost) two years.

What relevant experiences did you gain during your study?

During my study I was part of multiple committees where I was able to improve my organizational skills. Medicine also included many clinical internships where I learned a lot, in many different clinical fields, which I hope will help me during my PhD-years.

What do you like to do when you are not working?

When I’m not working, I like to stay active by running, playing padel or doing pilates. When I want to relax, I read, watch my favorite shows, play boardgames or go sailing with family.