Amber Wouters, a PhD student of the Leuven Diabetes Lab, has been working diligently on her research project aimed at developing effective immunotherapies for type 1 diabetes (T1D). T1D was diagnosed in Amber herself at the age of 14. Her personal experience with the disease fueled her passion for biomedical sciences and led her to the lab of Prof. Chantal Mathieu, where both basic and clinical research on T1D is conducted.
T1D is a heterogeneous disease that can occur at various ages, though it is most commonly diagnosed in young people. The progression of the disease varies among individuals, leading to different responses to immunotherapies. Amber's research aims to tailor treatments based on individual characteristics, moving away from a 'one size fits all' approach. The ultimate goal of her PhD is to develop personalized treatments with fewer side effects and better outcomes for people with T1D, while also reducing societal costs.
Amber expresses her heartfelt gratitude to all the sponsors whose support has been instrumental in advancing her research. Their contributions have made a significant impact, creating opportunities for her to make meaningful progress towards a cure for type 1 diabetes.