Post-doc Profile: Dr. Gerben van Hameren
Dr. Hameren (right) at the 2021 AMAP retreat
Dr. Gerben van Hameren has been working on research that examines brain function immediately after a traumatic brain injury. Dr. Hameren is a postdoctoral research associate in Dr. Alon Friedman’s lab since 2019.
Born in Holland, Dr. Hameren completed his studies in neuroscience at Maastricht University, where he received a Bachelor of Science as well as a Master of Science in Fundamental Neuroscience. His PhD was in mitochondrial physiology from the University of Montpellier in France.
At the BRC, Dr. Hameren examined responses to traumatic brain injury, particularly a pathological phenomenon in rats called spreading depolarization, which involves temporary depression of brain activity and swelling of brain cells.
“The next step in this research is to find out whether these immediate changes in the brain can predict long-term outcomes after brain trauma,” said Dr. Hameren. “If the answer is yes, the end goal is to prevent short-term damage to the brain to prevent long-term complications.”
The research Dr. Hameren has been working on shows a promising future in treating patients with traumatic brain injury, and the research team he’s worked with have recently been published in the International Journal for Molecular Sciences. A key collaborator of Dr. Hameren is Dr. Refat Aboghazieh, who is also a part of the team in Dr. Friedman’s lab.
When he’s not involved in research, Dr. Hameren is part of a running group in Halifax known as the Halifax Roadhammers, and often runs marathons, the most recent being the annual Bluenose Marathon. Given his extensive research and work, Dr. Hameren applies the commitment of a research lab to the dedication it takes to running a full marathon.
“The BRC is the main avenue to see what other neuroscience labs are doing in Halifax,” said Dr. Hameren. Well traveled and educated, he intends to stay with the BRC, with future plans of becoming a principal investigator and taking on a supervisory role.