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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

Paul Schiffers

Assistant Professor

Dr Paul Schiffers studied chemistry at Utrecht University and graduated in 1986, having specialised in Biochemistry. He obtained his PhD in 1994 on 'Intra-arterial Growth Control. A Slow Variation on a Classical Theme' at Maastricht University. From 1994 onwards, he has been a staff member of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology.

His present interest in research concerns vascular function and structure in cardiovascular diseases. He focusses on the interaction between the endothelium, vascular smooth muscle and perivascular nerves, in regulating vascular tone and structure (in both small and large arteries). The in vitro analysis of isolated arteries derived from experimental animal models, as well as human tissue, is performed by using a combination of techniques: wire-myography (force), pressure/flow myography (diameter), immunohistochemistry (morphometry) and 2-photon laser scanning microscopy.

Paul-schiffers

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht
PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht
Room number: 4.210
T: +31(0)43 388 21 08

  • 2025
    • Vangrieken, P., Scheijen, J. L. J. M., Schiffers, P. M. H., van de Waarenburg, M. P. H., Foulquier, S., & Schalkwijk, C. C. G. (2025). Modelling the effects of elevated methylglyoxal levels on vascular and metabolic complications. Scientific Reports, 15(1), Article 6025. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-90661-5
  • 2024
    • Vangrieken, P., Al-Nasiry, S., Remels, A. H. V., Schiffers, P. M. H., Janssen, E., Nass, S., Scheijen, J. L. J. M., Spaanderman, M. E. A., & Schalkwijk, C. G. (2024). Placental Methylglyoxal in Preeclampsia: Vascular and Biomarker Implications. Hypertension, 81(7), 1537-1549. https://doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.123.22633
  • 2021
    • Vangrieken, P., Al-Nasiry, S., Bast, A., Leermakers, P. A., Tulen, C. B. M., Schiffers, P. M. H., van Schooten, F. J., & Remels, A. H. V. (2021). Placental Mitochondrial Abnormalities in Preeclampsia. Reproductive Sciences, 28(8), 2186-2199. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-021-00464-y
    • Vangrieken, P., Al-Nasiry, S., Bast, A., Leermakers, P. A., Tulen, C. B. M., Janssen, G. M. J., Kaminski, I., Geomini, I., Lemmens, T., Schiffers, P. M. H., van Schooten, F. J., & Remels, A. H. V. (2021). Hypoxia-induced mitochondrial abnormalities in cells of the placenta. PLOS ONE, 16(1), Article e0245155. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245155
  • 2020
    • Vangrieken, P., Remels, A. H., Al-Nasiry, S., Bast, A., Janssen, G. M. J., von Rango, U., Vroomans, D., Pinckers, Y. C. W., van Schooten, F. J., & Schiffers, P. M. H. (2020). Placental hypoxia-induced alterations in vascular function, morphology, and endothelial barrier integrity. Hypertension Research, 43(12), 1361-1374. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41440-020-0528-8
    • Elbatreek, M. H., Sadegh, S., Anastasi, E., Guney, E., Nogales, C., Kacprowski, T., Hassan, A. A., Teubner, A., Huang, P.-H., Hsu, C.-Y., Schiffers, P. M. H., Janssen, G. M., Kleikers, P. W. M., Wipat, A., Baumbach, J., De Mey, J. G. R., & Schmidt, H. H. H. W. (2020). NOX5-induced uncoupling of endothelial NO synthase is a causal mechanism and theragnostic target of an age-related hypertension endotype. Plos Biology, 18(11), Article 3000885. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3000885
    • Vangrieken, P., Al-Nasiry, S., Bast, A., Leermakers, P. A., Tulen, C. B. M., Janssen, G. M. J., Schiffers, P. M. H., van Schooten, F. J., & Remels, A. H. V. (2020). Placental Mitochondrial Abnormalities Upon Hypoxia; The Cause of Placental Oxidative Stress?Reproductive Sciences, 27(SUPPL 1), 268A-268A.
  • 2018
    • Vangrieken, P., Al-Nasiry, S., Janssen, G. M. J., Weseler, A. R., Spaanderman, M. E., Bast, A., & Schiffers, P. M. H. (2018). The direct and sustained consequences of severe placental hypoxia on vascular contractility. PLOS ONE, 13(8), Article e0202648. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0202648
    • Zhang, M., Schiffers, P., Janssen, G., Vrolijk, M., Vangrieken, P., & Haenen, G. R. M. M. (2018). The cardiovascular side effects of Ma Huang due to its use in isolation in the Western world. European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 18, 18-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2018.01.007
  • 2017
    • Lemkens, P., Spijkers, L. J. A., Meens, M. J., Nelissen, J., Janssen, B., Peters, S. L. M., Schiffers, P. M. H., & De Mey, J. G. R. (2017). Dual NEP/ECE inhibition improves endothelial function in mesenteric resistance arteries of 32-week-old SHR. Hypertension Research, 40(8), 738-745. https://doi.org/10.1038/hr.2017.38
    • Sthijns, M. M. J. P. E., Schiffers, P. M., Janssen, G. M., Lemmens, K. J. A., Ides, B., Vangrieken, P., Bouwman, F. G., Mariman, E. C., Pader, I., Arner, E. S. J., Johansson, K., Bast, A., & Haenen, G. R. M. M. (2017). Rutin protects against H2O2-triggered impaired relaxation of placental arterioles and induces Nrf2-mediated adaptation in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells exposed to oxidative stress. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta-general Subjects, 1861(5), 1177-1189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbagen.2017.03.004
    • Haeren, R. H. L., Hartmans, S. A., De Mey, J., Hoogland, G., Dings, J., Schijns, O. E. M. G., van Kuijk, S. M. J., Rijkers, K., Schiffers, P., & van Overbeeke, K. J. (2017). Cerebral Artery Vasoconstriction is Endothelin-1 Dependent Requiring Neurogenic and Adrenergic Crosstalk. Current Neurovascular Research, 14(4), 306-315. https://doi.org/10.2174/1567202614666171005144450
  • 2015
    • Kosanovic, D., Luitel, H., Dahal, B. K., Cornitescu, T., Janssen, W., Danser, A. H. J., Garrelds, I. M., De Mey, J. G. R., Fazzi, G., Schiffers, P., Iglarz, M., Fischli, W., Ghofrani, H. A., Weissmann, N., Grimminger, F., Seeger, W., Reiss, I., & Schermuly, R. T. (2015). Chymase: a multifunctional player in pulmonary hypertension associated with lung fibrosis. European Respiratory Journal, 46(4), 1084-1094. https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.00018215
  • 2014
    • Kapsokalyvas, D., Schiffers, P. M. H., Maij, N., Suylen, D. P., Hackeng, T. M., van Zandvoort, M. A. M. J., & De Mey, J. G. R. (2014). Imaging evidence for endothelin ETA/ETB receptor heterodimers in isolated rat mesenteric resistance arteries. Life Sciences, 111(1-2), 36-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2014.07.007
  • 2012
    • Lemkens, P., Nelissen, J., Meens, M. J. P. M. T., Fazzi, G. E., Janssen, G. J. M., Debets, J. J. M., Janssen, B. J. A., Schiffers, P. M. H., & De Mey, J. G. R. (2012). Impaired flow-induced arterial remodeling in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. Hypertension Research, 35(11), 1093-1101. https://doi.org/10.1038/hr.2012.94
    • Lemkens, P., Nelissen, J., Meens, M. J. P. M. T., Janssen, B. J. A., Schiffers, P. M. H., & De Mey, J. G. R. (2012). Dual neural peptidase/endothelin-converting enzyme inhibition improves endothelial function in mesenteric resistance arteries of young spontaneously hypertensive rats. Journal of Hypertension, 30(9), 1799-1808. https://doi.org/10.1097/HJH.0b013e3283569c7a
    • Altenhofer, S., Kleikers, P. W. M., Radermacher, K. A., Scheurer, P., Hermans, J. J. R., Schiffers, P., Ho, H., Wingler, K., & Schmidt, H. H. H. W. (2012). The NOX toolbox: validating the role of NADPH oxidases in physiology and disease. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 69(14), 2327-2343. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-012-1010-9
  • 2011
    • Wingler, K., Hermans, J. J. R., Schiffers, P., Moens, A. L., Paul, M., & Schmidt, H. H. H. W. (2011). NOX1, 2, 4, 5: counting out oxidative stress. British Journal of Pharmacology, 164(3), 866-883. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01249.x
    • Maitland-van der Zee, A.-H., van Wieren-de Wijer, D. B. M. A., de Boer, A., Kroon, A. A., de Leeuw, P. W., Schiffers, P., Janssen, R. G. J. H., Psaty, B. M., Duijn, C. M. V., Stricker, B. H. C., & Klungel, O. H. (2011). Genetic variation in the renin-angiotensin system, use of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and the risk of myocardial infarction. Journal of the Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone System, 12(3), 208-214. https://doi.org/10.1177/1470320310391834
  • 2010
    • Storkebaum, E., de Almodovar, C. R., Meens, M., Zacchigna, S., Mazzone, M., Vanhoutte, G., Vinckier, S., Miskiewicz, K., Poesen, K., Lambrechts, D., Janssen, G. M. J., Fazzi, G. E., Verstreken, P., Haigh, J., Schiffers, P. M., Rohrer, H., Van Der Linden, A., De Mey, J. G. R., & Carmeliet, P. (2010). Impaired Autonomic Regulation of Resistance Arteries in Mice With Low Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor or Upon Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Trap Delivery. Circulation, 122(3), 273-U107. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.929364
    • Nawrot, T. S., Staessen, J. A., Holvoet, P., Struijker-Boudier, H. A., Schiffers, P., Van Bortel, L. M., Fagard, R. H., Gardner, J. P., Kimura, M., & Aviv, A. (2010). Telomere length and its associations with oxidized-LDL, carotid artery distensibility and smoking. Frontiers in Bioscience, Elite edition, 2(3), 1164-1168. https://doi.org/10.2741/E176
  • 2009
    • Plat, A. W., Stoffers, H. E. J. H., Klungel, O. H., van Schayck, C. P., de Leeuw, P. W., Soomers, F. L., Schiffers, P. M., Kester, A. D. M., & Kroon, A. A. (2009). The contribution of six polymorphisms to cardiovascular risk in a Dutch high-risk primary care population: the HIPPOCRATES project. Journal of Human Hypertension, 23(10), 659-67. https://doi.org/10.1038/jhh.2009.6
  • 2007
    • Megens, R. T. A., Oude Egbrink, M. G. A., Cleutjens, J. P. M., Kuijpers, M. J. E., Schiffers, P. H. M., Merkx, M., Slaaf, D. W., & van Zandvoort, M. A. M. J. (2007). Imaging collagen in intact viable healthy and atherosclerotic arteries using fluorescently labeled CNA35 and two-photon laser scanning microscopy. Molecular Imaging, 6(4), 247-60. https://doi.org/10.2310/7290.2007.00021
    • Donker, D. W., Maessen, J. G., Verheyen, F., Ramaekers, F., Spätjens, R. L. H., Kuijpers, R., Rarnakers, C., Schiffers, P. M. H., Vos, M. A., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & Volders, P. G. A. (2007). Impact of acute and enduring volume overload on mechanotransduction and cytoskeletal integrity of canine left ventricular myocardium. American Journal of Physiology-heart and Circulatory Physiology, 292(5), H2324-H2332. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpheart.00392.2006
    • Goossens, G. H., Jocken, J. W., Blaak, E. E., Schiffers, P. M., Saris, W. H., & van Baak, M. A. (2007). Endocrine Role of the Renin-Angiotensin System in Human Adipose Tissue and Muscle. Effect of {beta}-Adrenergic Stimulation. Hypertension, 49(3), 542-547. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.HYP.0000256091.55393.92
    • Megens, R., Reitsma, S., Schiffers, P., Hilgers, R., de Mey, J., Slaaf, D., Oude Egbrink, M., & van Zandvoort, M. (2007). Two-photon microscopy of vital murine elastic and muscular arteries. Combined structural and functional imaging with subcellular resolution. Journal of Vascular Research, 44(2), 87-98. https://doi.org/10.1159/000098259
  • 2006
    • Goossens, G. H., Blaak, E. E., Schiffers, P. M., Saris, W. H., & van Baak, M. A. (2006). Effect of short-term ACE inhibitor treatment on peripheral insulin sensitivity in obese insulin-resistant subjects. Diabetologia, 49(12), 3009-3016. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-006-0458-2
  • 1997
    • Luik, A. J., van Kuijk, W. H. M., Spek, J., de Heer, F., van Bortel, L. M., Schiffers, P. M. H., van Hooff, J. P., & Leunissen, K. M. L. (1997). Effects of hypervolemia on interdialytic hemodynamics and blood pressure control in hemodialysis patients.American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 30(4), 466-474. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-6386(97)90303-6
Overview