In our new Team Spotlight Series, we’re introducing you to the teams working behind the scenes. From lab-based scientists to patient organisation leaders, each team brings a unique perspective and vital expertise to the project, all united by a shared goal: to improve the lives of women and those assigned female at birth living with endometriosis through better research, stronger care pathways, and meaningful collaboration.
We’re kicking things off with a look inside the team at UCLouvain in Belgium, home to a dynamic group of researchers who bring clinical insight, lab-based expertise, and coordinated leadership to the EUmetriosis project.
Professor Marie-Madeleine, MD-PhD, is a Belgian gynecologist specialising in endometriosis and is the EUmetriosis Consortium Coordinator. Thanks to her strong connections with top European scientists in women’s health, she put together a powerful team from across Europe. Together, they’re finding new ways to better understand endometriosis and support women in managing it themselves. Most importantly, they’re making sure patients have a say and that their voices are heard across Europe. She describes the energy and motivation generated by the collaboration across countries and disciplines:
“EUmetriosis is an incredible opportunity to boost research on this underfunded chronic condition while fostering fruitful and energising international collaborations. Several brains and hands working together achieve better results than the sum of their separate works.”
Dr. Christophe Depoix serves as Project Manager and plays a central role in coordinating the EUmetriosis consortium. He works closely with Professor Marie-Madeleine Dolmans, helping to manage timelines, ensure collaboration, and maintain communication between all partners and the European Commission.
It was Christophe who first flagged endometriosis as a research priority when the European Commission opened its call under the theme ‘Tackling diseases and reducing disease burden’. His proactive identification of the gap helped set the project in motion, and led to the formation of a strong, international consortium now united under EUmetriosis. He says:
“Since endometriosis affects millions yet remains poorly understood, I believe supporting this research will not only advance science but also amplify patients’ voices in their own care.”
Chloé Beaussart is a PhD student and researcher with a background in gynaecology. Her work within the UCLouvain team is both hands-on and translational: she supports patient recruitment, conducts lab experiments, and manages data analysis, all while keeping the clinical reality of endometriosis patients in mind.
Chloé’s motivation is rooted in a strong commitment to addressing gender disparities in medical research, something she encountered early in her gynaecology training.
“It’s striking how much of medical science has been based on male physiology. Endometriosis is a clear example: it affects around 10% of women yet remains poorly understood and frequently underdiagnosed. “
Chloé says.
Post doctoral researcher, Dr. Nandana Manuganahalli Basavarajappa, is applying his expertise to help uncover novel mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for this often overlooked disease. He says:
“I am seeking to apply my experience and training in immunology to a new and exciting field like endometriosis research because it is one of the neglected diseases with huge patients and socioeconomic burden. “
The UCLouvain Team aims to improve diagnosis, deepen scientific understanding, and drive meaningful change in how endometriosis is treated and understood across Europe. From coordination and lab work to big-picture strategy, the UCLouvain team brings energy, experience, and heart to the EUmetriosis mission, and we’re proud to have them helping to lead the way.
Read more about all the EUmetriosis project teams here.