Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands
🚀 Driving digital health innovation from pilot to global impact. Since 2019, I’ve led the world’s largest implementation study on digital adherence technologies (DATs) for tuberculosis (TB) through the ASCENT project (Unitaid, $14M), supporting thousands of TB patients across five countries. Insights from ASCENT laid the foundation for Aida – an AI-powered virtual treatment supporter on WhatsApp that offers personalized, real-time guidance to improve medication adherence. I also lead digital adherence efforts within the European Unite4TB consortium, integrating patient-centered tech in large-scale clinical trials for next-generation TB treatments. 💡 My value add? I turn proven innovations into scalable solutions – bridging public health, digital tools, and human-centered design. 🧠 Key strengths: Digital innovation in global health Program and project leadership AI & behavior-driven care solutions Cross-sector and international collaboration
🔹 ASCENT Project Director (2019–2024) Led the $14M ASCENT project (funded by Unitaid), the world’s largest implementation study of digital adherence technologies for tuberculosis care. Oversaw strategic design, implementation and evaluation in five countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe, reaching over 20,000 patients. Managed a consortium of global and national partners, and provided technical leadership on behavioral, technological, and implementation frameworks. 🔹 Digital Health Advisor (2016–2019) Developed and implemented KNCV’s digital health strategy. Conducted in-depth assessments of digital health ecosystems and designed patient-centered digital tools. Supported ministries of health and country teams in adopting innovation at scale. Cross-cutting contributions: 🔹 Spearheaded multi-country digital transformation efforts in TB care 🔹 Drove partnership development across donors, implementers, and national programs 🔹 Bridged AI, implementation science, and public health delivery 🔹 Currently incubating Aida, a next-generation AI-powered adherence companion for patients, aiming to transform treatment support models
During this program, I gained a comprehensive understanding of tuberculosis (TB) prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. One of my key experiences was conducting an international field assessment in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where I spent three months in 2016. This hands-on experience allowed me to contribute to TB-related research and fieldwork, enhancing my expertise in global health and cross-cultural health interventions.
As a board member, I played a key role in the licensing process, safety protocols, and production of Intents Festival, one of the largest dance festivals in the Netherlands. My contributions span from the festival's inception with 750 visitors to its growth into a major event with over 60,000 attendees. I worked closely with local authorities, emergency services, and internal teams to ensure a smooth and safe experience for all participants.
In this role, I bridged business strategy and IT solutions, ensuring alignment between stakeholders and technology for optimal outcomes. A key achievement was the optimization of booking processes, which led to a significant increase in bookings, returning customers, and overall profitability. My focus was on translating strategic business requirements into effective IT solutions that enhanced operational efficiency and customer experience.
Supported the development and validation of the "Ensure Your Family" social business concept — a health insurance solution designed to enable diaspora communities to provide affordable healthcare coverage for their families in Bangladesh. Contributed to market research, concept refinement, and stakeholder engagement strategies to assess viability and impact potential.