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Uyên Châu Nguyên wins UM Dissertation Prize 2025

Uyên Châu Nguyên wins UM Dissertation Prize 2025

29 January 2026

During the Dies Natalis of Maastricht University, Uyên Châu Nguyên received the UM Dissertation Prize 2025.

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Global research network launched to study menopause and heart health

Global research network launched to study menopause and heart health

20 January 2026

Ten international health research funders, including the Dutch Heart Foundation, are investing $10 million in a new global research network to improve early prevention of cardiovascular disease in women. The initiative focuses on understanding how menopause affects heart health and how early intervention can reduce risk.

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Carim Maastricht
Carim Maastricht

Frits Prinzen

Professor

Frits Prinzen is emeritus professor of Physiology. He studied Medical Biology in Utrecht and defended his PhD in Maastricht in 1982. His research focusses on the relation between the electrical activation and mechanical contraction and pump function of the heart, with specific application to pacemaker therapies in heart failure. His work is highly translational, ranging from preclinical to clinical research and more recently also using computer simulations. Results from his work provided new insights in and opportunities for pacemaker therapies. He has participated in the CTMM-COHFAR consortium and has been and is workpackage leader in several EU-funded projects, including an International Training Network (Personalised in silico Cardiology). Several of his team members achieved personal grants (ZonMw Veni, Vidi, Clinical Fellow; Netherlands Heart Foundation junior and senior postdoc; young staff member). Besides, he ran multiple investigator-initiated studies that were funded by industry. He has been chairman of the Cardiovascular System Dynamics Society and of the Innovation Committee of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA). Currently he is member of the Scientific Initiatives Committee of EHRA. He is (co-)author on 330 scientific articles, with >10,000 citations and H-index of 56.

His main research topic is regional cardiac mechanics and long-term structural and functional adaptations to various conditions, with emphasis on asynchronous electrical activation and cardiac resynchronisation. Primarily animal experimental work, but with important links to Biomedical Engineering (computer models of cardiac electrophysiology and mechanics) and Cardiology (patients with pacemakers, bundle branch block, heart failure). With this background Prof. Frits Prinzen is a world expert on pacing therapies, both for bradycardia and for heart failure (cardiac resynchronisation therapy, CRT).

Frits-prinzen
Department of Physiology
Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht
PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht
T: +31(0)43 3881080
  • 2016
    • Rademakers, L. M., van Hunnik, A., Kuiper, M., Vernooy, K., van Gelder, B., Bracke, F. A., & Prinzen, F. (2016). A Possible Role for Pacing the Left Ventricular Septum in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, 2(4), 413-422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacep.2016.01.010
  • 2015
    • Schreurs, R., Wiegerinck, R. F., & Prinzen, F. W. (2015). Exploring the Electrophysiologic and Hemodynamic Effects of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: From Bench to Bedside and Vice Versa. Cardiac Electrophysiology Clinics, 7(4), 599-608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccep.2015.08.012
    • Lumens, J., Prinzen, F. W., & Delhaas, T. (2015). Longitudinal Strain "Think Globally, Track Locally". JACC-Cardiovascular Imaging, 8(12), 1360-1363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcmg.2015.08.014
    • Sohal, M., Shetty, A., Niederer, S., Lee, A., Chen, Z., Jackson, T., Behar, J. M., Claridge, S., Bostock, J., Hyde, E., Razavi, R., Prinzen, F., & Rinaldi, C. A. (2015). Mechanistic insights into the benefits of multisite pacing in cardiac resynchronization therapy: The importance of electrical substrate and rate of left ventricular activation. Heart Rhythm, 12(12), 2449-2457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2015.07.012
    • Lumens, J., Tayal, B., Walmsley, J., Delgado-Montero, A., Huntjens, P. R., Schwartzman, D., Althouse, A. D., Delhaas, T., Prinzen, F. W., & Gorcsan, J. (2015). Differentiating Electromechanical From Non-Electrical Substrates of Mechanical Discoordination to Identify Responders to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. Circulation-Cardiovascular Imaging, 8(9), Article e003744. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCIMAGING.115.003744
    • Walmsley, J., Arts, T., Derval, N., Bordachar, P., Cochet, H., Ploux, S., Prinzen, F. W., Delhaas, T., & Lumens, J. (2015). Fast Simulation of Mechanical Heterogeneity in the Electrically Asynchronous Heart Using the MultiPatch Module. PLoS Computational Biology, 11(7), Article e1004284. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004284
    • Kroon, W., Lumens, J., Potse, M., Suerder, D., Klersy, C., Regoli, F., Murzilli, R., Moccetti, T., Delhaas, T., Krause, R., Prinzen, F. W., & Auricchio, A. (2015). In vivo electromechanical assessment of heart failure patients with prolonged QRS duration. Heart Rhythm, 12(6), 1259-1267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2015.03.006
    • Lau, D. H., Volders, P. G. A., Kohl, P., Prinzen, F. W., Zaza, A., Kaeaeb, S., Oto, A., & Schotten, U. (2015). Opportunities and challenges of current electrophysiology research: a plea to establish 'translational electrophysiology' curricula. EP Europace, 17(5), 825-833. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euu301
    • Zanon, F., Baracca, E., Pastore, G., Marcantoni, L., Fraccaro, C., Lanza, D., Picariello, C., Aggio, S., Roncon, L., Dell'Avvocata, F., Rigatelli, G., Pacetta, D., Noventa, F., & Prinzen, F. W. (2015). Multipoint pacing by a left ventricular quadripolar lead improves the acute hemodynamic response to CRT compared with conventional biventricular pacing at any site. Heart Rhythm, 12(5), 975-981. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2015.01.034
    • van der Boon, R. M. A., Houthuizen, P., Urena, M., Poels, T. T., van Mieghem, N. M., Brueren, G. R. G., Altintas, S., Nuis, R. J., Serruys, P. W., van Garsse, L. A. F. M., van Domburg, R. T., Cabau, J. R., de Jaegere, P. P. T., & Prinzen, F. W. (2015). Trends in the Occurrence of New Conduction Abnormalities After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation. Catheterization and Cardiovascular interventions, 85(5), 144-152. https://doi.org/10.1002/ccd.25765
    • van Deursen, C. J. M., Wecke, L., van Everdingen, W. M., Stahlberg, M., Janssen, M. H. G., Braunschweig, F., Bergfeldt, L., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Vernooy, K., & Prinzen, F. W. (2015). Vectorcardiography for Optimization of Stimulation Intervals in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research, 8(2), 128-137. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12265-015-9615-7
    • Poels, T. T., Houthuizen, P., Van Garsse, L. A. F. M., Hamad, M. A. S., Maessen, J. G., Prinzen, F. W., & Van Straten, A. H. M. (2015). Frequency and prognosis of new bundle branch block induced by surgical aortic valve replacement. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 47(2), E47-E53. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezu435
    • Engels, E. B., Vegh, E. M., Van Deursen, C. J. M., Vernooy, K., Singh, J. P., & Prinzen, F. W. (2015). T-Wave Area Predicts Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Patients with Left Bundle Branch Block. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 26(2), 176-183. https://doi.org/10.1111/jce.12549
    • Rad, M. M., Blaauw, Y., Trang Dinh, Pison, L., Crijns, H. J., Prinzen, F. W., & Vernooy, K. (2015). Left ventricular lead placement in the latest activated region guided by coronary venous electroanatomic mapping. EP Europace, 17(1), 84-93. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euu221
    • Uyen Chau Nguyen, Potse, M., Regoli, F., Caputo, M. L., Conte, G., Murzilli, R., Muzzarelli, S., Moccetti, T., Caiani, E. G., Prinzen, F. W., Krause, R., & Auricchio, A. (2015). An in-silico analysis of the effect of heart position and orientation on the ECG morphology and vectorcardiogram parameters in patients with heart failure and intraventricular conduction defects. Journal of Electrocardiology, 48(4), 617-625. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2015.05.004
    • van Everdingen, W. M., Paiman, M.-L., van Deursen, C. J. M., Cramer, M. J., Vernooy, K., Delhaas, T., & Prinzen, F. W. (2015). Comparison of septal strain patterns in dyssynchronous heart failure between speckle tracking echocardiography vendor systems. Journal of Electrocardiology, 48(4), 609-616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2014.12.021
    • Pluijmert, M., Lumens, J., Potse, M., Delhaas, T., Auricchio, A., & Prinzen, F. W. (2015). Computer modelling for better diagnosis and therapy of patients by cardiac resynchronisation therapy. Arrhythmia & Electrophysiology Review, 4(1), 62-67. https://doi.org/10.15420/aer.2015.4.1.62
    • Engels, E. B., Alshehri, S., van Deursen, C. J. M., Wecke, L., Bergfeldt, L., Vernooy, K., & Prinzen, F. W. (2015). The synthesized vectorcardiogram resembles the measured vectorcardiogram in patients with dyssynchronous heart failure. Journal of Electrocardiology, 48(4), 586-592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2015.04.001
    • van Deursen, C. J. M., Vernooy, K., Dudink, E., Bergfeldt, L., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Prinzen, F. W., & Wecke, L. (2015). Vectorcardiographic QRS area as a novel predictor of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy. Journal of Electrocardiology, 48(1), 45-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2014.10.003
  • 2014
    • de Jong, S., van Middendorp, L. B., Hermans, R. H. A., de Bakker, J. M. T., Bierhuizen, M. F. A., Prinzen, F. W., van Rijen, H. V. M., Losen, M., Vos, M. A., & van Zandvoort, M. A. M. J. (2014). Ex Vivo and In Vivo Administration of Fluorescent CNA35 Specifically Marks Cardiac Fibrosis. Molecular Imaging, 13(10). https://doi.org/10.2310/7290.2014.00036
    • Rad, M. M., Blaauw, Y., Dinh, T., Pison, L., Crijns, H. J., Prinzen, F. W., & Vernooy, K. (2014). Different regions of latest electrical activation during left bundle-branch block and right ventricular pacing in cardiac resynchronization therapy patients determined by coronary venous electro-anatomic mapping. European journal of heart failure, 16(11), 1214-1222. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejhf.178
    • Huntjens, P. R., Walmsley, J., Ploux, S., Bordachar, P., Prinzen, F. W., Delhaas, T., & Lumens, J. (2014). Influence of left ventricular lead position relative to scar location on response to cardiac resynchronization therapy: a model study. EP Europace, 16 Suppl 4, iv62-iv68. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euu231
    • Vernooy, K., van Deursen, C. J. M., Strik, M., & Prinzen, F. W. (2014). Strategies to improve cardiac resynchronization therapy. Nature Reviews Cardiology, 11(8), 481-493. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrcardio.2014.67
    • Kuijpers, N. H. L., Hermeling, E., Lumens, J., ten Eikelder, H. M. M., Delhaas, T., & Prinzen, F. W. (2014). Mechano-electrical coupling as framework for understanding functional remodeling during LBBB and CRT. American Journal of Physiology-heart and Circulatory Physiology, 306(12), H1644-H1659. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpheart.00689.2013
    • Waltenberger, J., Gelissen, M., Bekkers, S. C., Vainer, J., van Ommen, V., Eerens, F., Ruiters, A., Holthuijsen, A., Cuesta, P., Strauven, R., Mokelke, E., Gorgels, A., & Prinzen, F. W. (2014). Clinical Pacing Post-Conditioning During Revascularization After AMI. JACC-Cardiovascular Imaging, 7(6), 620-626. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcmg.2014.01.017
    • Zanon, F., Baracca, E., Pastore, G., Fraccaro, C., Roncon, L., Aggio, S., Noventa, F., Mazza, A., & Prinzen, F. (2014). Determination of the Longest Intrapatient Left Ventricular Electrical Delay May Predict Acute Hemodynamic Improvement in Patients After Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. Circulation-Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 7(3), 377-383. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCEP.113.000850
    • Auricchio, A., Lumens, J., & Prinzen, F. W. (2014). Does Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Benefit Patients With Right Bundle Branch Block Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Has a Role in Patients With Right Bundle Branch Block. Circulation-Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 7(3), 532-542. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCEP.113.000628
    • Poels, T. T., Houthuizen, P., Van Garsse, L. A. F. M., Maessen, J. G., de Jaegere, P., & Prinzen, F. W. (2014). Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation-Induced Left Bundle Branch Block: Causes and Consequences. Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research, 7(4), 395-405. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12265-014-9560-x
    • van Boxtel, A. G. M., Houthuizen, P., Hamad, M. A. S., Sjatskig, J., Tan, E., Prinzen, F. W., & van Straten, A. H. M. (2014). Postoperative Conduction Disorders after Implantation of the Self-Expandable Suture less Perceval S Bioprosthesis. Journal of Heart Valve Disease, 23(3), 319-324.
    • Sohal, M., Shetty, A., Niederer, S., Chen, Z., Jackson, T., Sammut, E., Bostock, J., Razavi, R., Prinzen, F., & Rinaldi, C. A. (2014). Delayed Trans-Septal Activation Results in Comparable Hemodynamic Effect of Left Ventricular and Biventricular Endocardial Pacing Insights From Electroanatomical Mapping. Circulation-Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 7(2), 251-258. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCEP.113.001152
    • Pluijmert, M., Bovendeerd, P. H. M., Kroon, W., Prinzen, F. W., & Delhaas, T. (2014). Effects of activation pattern and active stress development on myocardial shear in a model with adaptive myofiber reorientation. American Journal of Physiology-heart and Circulatory Physiology, 306(4), H538-H546. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpheart.00571.2013
    • Houthuizen, P., van der Boon, R. M. A., Urena, M., Van Mieghem, N., Brueren, G. B. R., Poels, T. T., Van Garsse, L. A. F. M., Rodes-Cabau, J., Prinzen, F. W., & de Jaegere, P. (2014). Occurrence, fate and consequences of ventricular conduction abnormalities after transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Eurointervention, 9(10), 1142-1150. https://doi.org/10.4244/EIJV9I10A194
    • Ploux, S., Strik, M., van Hunnik, A., van Middendorp, L., Kuiper, M., & Prinzen, F. W. (2014). Acute electrical and hemodynamic effects of multisite left ventricular pacing for cardiac resynchronization therapy in the dyssynchronous canine heart. Heart Rhythm, 11(1), 119-125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2013.10.018
    • van der Boon, R. M. A., Houthuizen, P., Nuis, R.-J., van Mieghem, N. M., Prinzen, F., & de Jaegere, P. P. T. (2014). Clinical Implications of Conduction Abnormalities and Arrhythmias After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation. Current Cardiology Reports, 16(1), Article 429. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-013-0429-4
    • van Middendorp, L. B., Strik, M., Houthuizen, P., Kuiper, M., Maessen, J. G., Auricchio, A., & Prinzen, F. W. (2014). Electrophysiological and Hemodynamic Effects of Vernakalant and Flecainide During Cardiac Resynchronization in Dyssynchronous Canine Hearts. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, 63(1), 25-32. https://doi.org/10.1097/FJC.0000000000000020
    • Potse, M., Krause, D., Kroon, W., Murzilli, R., Muzzarelli, S., Regoli, F., Caiani, E., Prinzen, F., Krause, R., & Auricchio, A. (2014). Patient-specific modelling of cardiac electrophysiology in heart-failure patients. EP Europace, 16(S4), iv56–iv61. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euu257
    • van Deursen, C. J. M., Blaauw, Y., Witjens, M. I., Debie, L., Wecke, L., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Prinzen, F. W., & Vernooy, K. (2014). The value of the 12-lead ECG for evaluation and optimization of cardiac resynchronization therapy in daily clinical practice. Journal of Electrocardiology, 47(2), 202-211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2014.01.007
  • 2013
    • Lumens, J., Ploux, S., Strik, M., Gorcsan, J. III., Cochet, H., Derval, N., Strom, M., Ramanathan, C., Ritter, P., Haissaguerre, M., Jais, P., Arts, T., Delhaas, T., Prinzen, F. W., & Bordachar, P. (2013). Comparative Electromechanical and Hemodynamic Effects of Left Ventricular and Biventricular Pacing in Dyssynchronous Heart Failure Electrical Resynchronization Versus Left-Right Ventricular Interaction. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 62(25), 2395-2403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2013.08.715
    • Sohaib, S. M. A., Whinnett, Z. I., Ellenbogen, K. A., Stellbrink, C., Quinn, T. A., Bogaard, M. D., Bordachar, P., van Gelder, B. M., van Geldorp, I. E., Linde, C., Meine, M., Prinzen, F. W., Turcott, R. G., Spotnitz, H. M., Wichterle, D., Francis, D. P., & International Working Group on Quantitative Optimization: (2013). Cardiac resynchronisation therapy optimisation strategies: systematic classification, detailed analysis, minimum standards and a roadmap for development and testing. International Journal of Cardiology, 170(2), 118-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2013.10.069
    • Prinzen, F. W., Vernooy, K., & Auricchio, A. (2013). Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy State-of-the-Art of Current Applications, Guidelines, Ongoing Trials, and Areas of Controversy. Circulation, 128(22), 2407-2418. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.112.000112
    • Strik, M., van Middendorp, L. B., Houthuizen, P., Ploux, S., van Hunnik, A., Kuiper, M., Auricchio, A., & Prinzen, F. W. (2013). Interplay of electrical wavefronts as determinant of the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy in dyssynchronous canine hearts. Circulation. Arrhythmia and electrophysiology, 6(5), 924-31. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCEP.113.000753
    • Blaauw, E., Lorenzen-Schmidt, I., Babiker, F. A., Munts, C., Prinzen, F. W., Snoeckx, L. H., van Bilsen, M., van der Vusse, G. J., & van Nieuwenhoven, F. A. (2013). Stretch-Induced Upregulation of Connective Tissue Growth Factor in Rabbit Cardiomyocytes. Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research, 6(5), 861-869. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12265-013-9489-5
    • Strik, M., van Deursen, C. J. M., van Middendorp, L. B., van Hunnik, A., Kuiper, M., Auricchio, A., & Prinzen, F. W. (2013). Transseptal Conduction as an Important Determinant for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy, as Revealed by Extensive Electrical Mapping in the Dyssynchronous Canine Heart. Circulation-Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 6(4), 682-689. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCEP.111.000028
    • Cardinaels, E. P. M., Mingels, A. M. A., van Rooij, T., Collinson, P. O., Prinzen, F. W., & van Dieijen-Visser, M. P. (2013). Time-Dependent Degradation Pattern of Cardiac Troponin T Following Myocardial Infarction. Clinical Chemistry, 59(7), 1083-1090. https://doi.org/10.1373/clinchem.2012.200543
    • van Geldorp, I. E., Bordachar, P., Lumens, J., de Guillebon, M., Whinnett, Z. I., Prinzen, F. W., Haissaguerre, M., Delhaas, T., & Thambo, J.-B. (2013). Acute hemodynamic benefits of biventricular and single-site systemic ventricular pacing in patients with a systemic right ventricle. Heart Rhythm, 10(5), 676-682. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2013.01.017
    • Wieneke, H., Rickers, S., Velleuer, J., Bruck, G., Bai, Z., Kocks, C., Grandjean, P.-A., Lenihan, T., Jung, P., Erbel, R., Prinzen, F. W., & Kisker, E. (2013). Leadless pacing using induction technology: impact of pulse shape and geometric factors on pacing efficiency. EP Europace, 15(3), 453-459. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eus308
    • Janousek, J., van Geldorp, I. E., Krupickova, S., Rosenthal, E., Nugent, K., Tomaske, M., Fruh, A., Elders, J., Hiippala, A., Kerst, G., Gebauer, R. A., Kubus, P., Frias, P., Gabbarini, F., Clur, S.-A., Nagel, B., Ganame, J., Papagiannis, J., Marek, J., ... Delhaas, T. (2013). Permanent Cardiac Pacing in Children: Choosing the Optimal Pacing Site A Multicenter Study. Circulation, 127(5), 613-623. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.112.115428
Overview