Desi ter Woerds | Interventional pulmonology | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Desi ter Woerds | Interventional pulmonology | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Desi ter Woerds, Radboud University Medical Center, Netherlands

Ms. Desi ter Woerds-Lhoest (b. 1995) is a dynamic clinical researcher specializing in image-guided diagnostics for early-stage lung cancer. She earned her BSc and MSc in Technical Medicine from the University of Twente 🎓, and is completing her PhD at Radboudumc 🏥. Her work spans clinical trials, advanced imaging, and sentinel lymph node identification. Currently a Science Liaison at the Dutch Cancer Foundation (KWF) 💼, she supports 40+ projects in cancer care and palliative research. With multiple international presentations 🌍 and first-author publications 📝, she excels in translational research, collaboration, and clinical innovation. Fluent in Dutch and English

Publication Profile

Scopus

Professional Journey

Ms. Desi ter Woerds-Lhoest has built a strong research-focused career in clinical innovation and cancer care 🔬. Currently serving as a Science Liaison at the Dutch Cancer Foundation (KWF) 🏥 since March 2025, she supports 40+ projects in Quality of Life, Quality of Care, and Palliative Care 💡. As a PhD candidate at Radboudumc (2021–2025), her thesis focused on image-guided diagnostics in early-stage lung cancer 🫁. She previously interned at Radboudumc, MST Enschede, and ZGT Hengelo, contributing to projects like MR-guided cryoablation and cardiac imaging 🧠. Earlier, she worked as a Data Manager at MST Enschede, aiding surgical quality tracking

🎓 Educational Background

Ms. Desi ter Woerds-Lhoest holds a solid academic foundation in Technical Medicine from the University of Twente 🎓. She earned her Bachelor’s degree (2013–2018) 🧬, followed by a Master’s degree (2018–2021) specializing in Medical Imaging and Interventions 🖥️🔍. Her education bridges clinical practice and advanced medical technologies, equipping her with essential diagnostic and therapeutic skills. In 2018, she also qualified as a Radiation Protection Expert (Level CD) ☢️, further enhancing her expertise in patient safety and medical imaging protocols. Her academic path reflects a strong commitment to innovation and precision in modern healthcare systems

🔬 Research Focus

Ms. Desi ter Woerds-Lhoest’s research is centered on thoracic oncology, specifically in early-stage lung cancer diagnostics 🫁. Her work focuses on minimally invasive, image-guided procedures such as sentinel lymph node detection using advanced tracers like 99mTc-nanocolloid and indocyanine green 💉🧪. She explores the clinical feasibility and real-world application of bronchoscopy-based and ultrasound-guided techniques for cancer staging and nodal assessment 🖥️🔍. Her studies contribute to enhancing accuracy, workflow efficiency, and patient outcomes in cancer care ⚕️📊. Desi’s expertise lies at the intersection of pulmonology, nuclear medicine, and interventional imaging—advancing precision diagnostics in oncology

Publication Top Notes

  • 🔹 2023 – Ex‑vivo exploration of an endobronchial sentinel lymph node procedure in lung cancer… (Journal of Thoracic Disease, 15(2), 291–299) – cited ~13 times

  • 🔹 2024 – Feasibility of Non‑Invasive Sentinel Lymph Node Identification in Early‑Stage NSCLC… (Cancers 16:3868) – cited 8 times

  • 🔹 2025 – Endobronchial Ultrasound Staging During Navigation Bronchoscopy… (Cancers 17:1700) – recent publication, citation data not yet available

  • 🔹 2025 – Feasibility of intraoperative indocyanine green injection to identify lymph nodes… (JTCVS Techniques) – newly published, citation data pending

Mevlüt Karataş | Pulmonary | Best Researcher Award

Assoc Prof Dr. Mevlüt Karataş | Pulmonary | Best Researcher Award

Assoc Prof Dr. Mevlüt Karataş, SBU Ataturk Sanatorium Education and Training Hospital, Turkey

Dr. Mevlüt Karataş is an Associate Professor specializing in pulmonary diseases. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa School of Medicine (1994-2001), and completed his specialization at Istanbul Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital. Dr. Karataş conducted research at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine with Prof. Dr. Richard Light in 2007. He served as a Specialist Physician at several hospitals, including Ahi Evren Chest Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Kanuni Training and Research Hospital, and Atatürk Chest Diseases and Surgery Training and Research Hospital. He became an Associate Professor at the University of Health Sciences in 2021. 📚🏥

Publication Profile

Orcid

Education 🎓

Dr. Mevlüt Karataş earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa School of Medicine (1994-2001). He specialized in medicine at Istanbul Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital (2003-2009), with a thesis on tuberculosis. In 2007, he was a Research Fellow at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, working with Prof. Dr. Richard Light on pleural diseases.

Professional Background 🏥

Dr. Karataş has served as a Specialist Physician at Ahi Evren Chest Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital (2009-2011), Kanuni Training and Research Hospital (2011-2014), and Atatürk Chest Diseases and Surgery Training and Research Hospital (2017-2024).

Certificate 📜

Dr. Karataş received the ILO International Pneumoconiosis Radiographs Classification Training Certificate in 2018, enhancing his expertise in evaluating pneumoconiosis cases.

 

Research Focus

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mevlüt Karataş’s research primarily focuses on pulmonary and respiratory health, particularly in the context of occupational and environmental exposures. His work includes studying allergenic pollen in Trabzon, assessing oxidative stress markers in workers, and evaluating the impact of obstructive sleep apnea on ocular health. He has also investigated the effectiveness of chest CT in COVID-19 triage and explored the progression of silicosis among ceramic workers. His research spans antibiotic resistance in respiratory pathogens and endobronchial management of airway obstructions, reflecting a broad interest in respiratory diseases and their management. 🌿🫁🦠

 

Publication Top Notes

  • “Trabzon İli Atmosferindeki Alerjenik Polenlerin Volumetrik Yöntemle Belirlenmesi”Iğdır Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi, 2022. DOI: 10.21597/jist.1082302 🌿
  • “Dynamic thiol disulfide homeostasis in painters as indices of oxidative stress”International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 2022. DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2020.1827227 🔬
  • “In COVID-19 Suspicion Without Severe Manifestations, Chest CT Sensitivity is not Sufficient for Triage: A Single-centre Experience”Journal of Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, 2021. DOI: 10.4274/atfm.galenos.2021.93723 🦠
  • “Effects of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome on the Eye”Hamidiye Medical Journal, 2021. DOI: 10.4274/hamidiyemedj.galenos.2020.35220 👁️
  • “ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE AND INTEGRON GENE CASSETTES IN ACINETOBACTER BAUMANNII ISOLATES PRODUCED IN LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT SAMPLES TAKEN FROM THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT”Kırıkkale Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi, 2020. DOI: 10.24938/kutfd.789547 🦠
  • “Dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis as indicator of oxidative stress in automotive workers”Biomarkers, 2020. DOI: 10.1080/1354750X.2020.1734862 🚗
  • “Endobronchial management of malignant central airway obstruction: the first 6-year single center experience”The European Research Journal, 2019. DOI: 10.18621/eurj.556443 🌬️
  • “Predictive risk factors for development of silicosis in Turkish ceramic workers”Tuberkuloz ve Toraks, 2019. DOI: 10.5578/tt.67990 ⚠️
  • “Radiological progression and lung function decrements among silica-exposed ceramic workers: a longitudinal study”Inhalation Toxicology, 2019. DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2019.1613459 🏭