Recently Aarazo Barakzie and Lorenzo Romano successfully defended their dissertations.
Aarazo Barakzie
On February 10, 2026, Aarazo Barakzie successfully defended her dissertation entitled “Association of Biomarkers with Acute Ischemic Stroke: Clinical and Radiological Outcomes.” Her research goal was to identify biomarkers that predict the clinical outcome of stroke and thus contribute to optimal treatment choices and personalized care for AIS. To this end, she investigated the relationship between biomarkers of hemostasis and immunothrombosis with clinical and radiological outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) within the CONTRAST consortium. She also examined whether these biomarkers can predict the effect of different therapeutic strategies. This research identified several interesting biomarkers that will hopefully contribute to improving care for stroke patients. Before she could start measuring the biomarkers, she ensured that a biobank was set up at Erasmus MC containing plasma and serum from patients in the clinical trials at various times, which was a challenge because 13 hospitals were involved.
Lorenzo Romano
On January 6, 2026, Lorenzo G.R. Romano successfully defended his dissertation, entitled "Personalized management of patients with bleeding disorders," and was awarded his doctorate. Lorenzo has conducted various studies aimed at personalizing and thus improving care for patients with hemophilia. In his research, he introduced the combination treatment of DDAVP (desmopressin) immediately followed by coagulation factor VIII concentrate around surgical procedures in hemophilia A patients. By administering DDAVP first, which results in a limited increase in FVIII, a lower dose of FVIII concentrate can subsequently be used. This resulted in a reduction in the amount of coagulation factor, which is crucial given the limited availability worldwide and the high cost of this treatment. In addition, pharmacokinetic models were used to improve treatment with DDAVP and factor concentrate by obtaining more adequate plasma FVIII levels perioperatively. Partly based on this research, the combination treatment was included in the recent global guidelines of the World Federation of Hemophilia. Lorenzo is currently training as an internist at Amphia Hospital in Breda.
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