Young Researcher Award

"A problem is never too big - it can be broken into small parts, making it easier to handle; thus, we can solve any problem. Most importantly, never give up."

• Immunology
• Intracellular Signalling
• Gene Profiling
• Functional Genomics

• Identification of SPHK1, a novel sphingosine kinase which serves as a potential target for drug development against allergic and inflammatory diseases
• His research on SPHK1 has also paved the way for therapeutic strategies against immune-related diseases such as bronchial asthma
• Has filed five patents, one of which was granted for methods and compositions for screening modulators of lipid kinases

• Always questioning not just how it works but why it works… and then again why… always looking for an answer without preconceptions wherever it might lead

• Published extensively in more than 40 publications, including top-tier journals such as the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, Current Biology, Blood, Journal of Immunology and Journal of Biological Chemistry

• Highly regarded as a scientist internationally and sits on advisory panels of international biopharmaceutical companies in the United Kingdom and India
• Serves as a reviewer for top tier publications such as the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases and FASEB journal
• Serves as a reviewer for local and international grant awarding bodies such as the Biomedical Research Council, National Medical Research Council and the Dutch Agency for Science and Technology Research

• BMRC Young Investigator Award (2002)