Frédérique Meeuwsen

Radboud UMC

In short, Frédérique Meeuwsen's fellowship entails the following:

Towards becoming the pathologist of the future

Pathology diagnostics are under increasing pressure due to rising patient numbers, the growing demand for comprehensive disease characterization, and an expanding range of treatment options, all while the number of pathologists continues to decline. The rise of machine learning-driven image analysis tools offers a promising solution, with AI applications transforming pathology workflows. These tools can assist in tasks such as assessing prognostic biomarkers, tumor grading, diagnosis, and quality control, thereby improving efficiency and accuracy.

However, despite their potential, few AI algorithms are in routine clinical use, and there is a notable lack of studies evaluating their impact in real-world clinical settings. Regulatory challenges and reimbursement issues contribute to a significant "translation gap" in pathology—referring to the difficulty in prospectively validating and integrating AI models into clinical workflows. Additionally, there is a shortage of experts who can navigate the complexities of AI implementation and effectively engage with diverse stakeholders. This gap can only be bridged by involving pathologists who are well-trained in both the clinical and technological aspects of computational pathology.

Frédérique Meeuwsen, who is a registered pathologist by the end of 2024 and holds a PhD in Biomechanical Engineering (TU Delft), aims to explore every aspect of the AI development cycle—spanning from problem identification to model development and successful implementation. Through collaboration with leading researchers at Radboudumc and internships at internationally recognized labs, she plans to acquire the knowledge and
practical tools needed to position herself as a pathologist of the future and play a significant role in the transformation of pathology.

Supervision: Prof. dr. Jeroen van der Laak, Radboudumc, Nijmegen.
Planned Internships:
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA (Prof. dr. Faisal Mahmood)
- University of Leeds, Leeds, UK (Prof. dr. Darren Treanor)
- Institute of Tissue Medicine and Pathology, Bern, Switzerland (Prof. dr. Inti Zlobec)