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Wikje Berends - Hoekstra

Wikje Berends-Hoekstra is a PhD candidate at the University Medical Center Groningen and the Amsterdam University Medical Center. Her research spans the dynamic field data science and epidemiology within the field of midwifery and general practitioner care, with a specialised focus on the application of AI.

At the University Medical Center Groningen, she collaborates with a multidisciplinary team including epidemiologists, midwives, general practitioners, and data scientists. Her work integrates advanced statistical methods and machine learning to analyse both structured data and unstructured data (such as physicians’ notes), enhancing our understanding of long-term maternal and child health outcomes. This synergy fosters innovative strategies for data-driven healthcare. Our efforts are critical in refining public health policies and clinical interventions across diverse healthcare settings, ultimately leading to better disease prevention and control.

She is currently involved in the research project that assesses the impact of mode and place of birth on the infant microbiome.