Characterization of Esophageal Cancers
& Metaplasia
PEOPLE
Benjamin Beck, PhD
Principal Investigator — Characterization of esophageal cancers and metaplasia
• FNRS Senior Research Associate, IRIBHM, ULB (2026–present)
• Deputy Director, IRIBHM Jacques E. Dumont (since 2021)
• Former postdoctoral fellow in the Stem Cell and Cancer Laboratory, ULB, under the supervision of Prof. Cédric Blanpain (2008–2015)
• PhD in Biomedical Science, USTL, Lille, France (2007)
Alizée Vercauteren Drubbel, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow — Molecular mechanisms involved in the initiation of esophageal metaplasia and adenocarcinoma
• FNRS Postdoctoral Researcher, IRIBHM, ULB (2025–present)
• Former ULB postdoctoral researcher supported by Fondation contre le Cancer (2021–2025)
• PhD in Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, ULB (2021)
• MSc in Bioinformatics and Modelling and MSc in Biomedical Science, ULB
Louison Descampe, Ms
PhD Fellow — Epithelial–mesenchymal crosstalk in esophageal metaplasia and cancer
• Recipient of a Télévie PhD Fellowship (since 2021)
• Additional Diploma in Management, ICHEC (2021)
• MSc in Biomedical Science, UCLouvain (2020)
Cyril Bodart, Ms
PhD Fellow — Role of SHIP2 in the esophageal epithelium
• Recipient of a Télévie PhD Fellowship (since 2022)
• MSc in Biomedical Science, ULB (2019)
Nadia Gillet, Ms
PhD Fellow — Cancer-specific role of SHIP2 in the esophagus
• FNRS Aspirant Fellow (since 2026)
• Recipient of the Jacques E. Dumont PhD Fellowship (2025)
• Dean's Prize for Academic Excellence (2024)
• MSc in Biomedical Science, ULB (2024)
Diego Japon Ruiz, Ms
PhD Fellow — Characterization of the tumor microenvironment in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
• Recipient of an FNRS/FRIA Fellowship (since 2025)
• Recipient of a ULB PhD Fellowship (2024)
• MSc in Biomedical Science, ULB (2024)
Fadi Charara, MD
Clinical Master Specialist Applicant to a PhD — Tumor microenvironment and growth patterns in esophageal cancer
• Member of the Esophageal Cancer Surgery Team, Erasme Hospital (since 2019)
• Specialist in Visceral Surgery, Université libre de Bruxelles (2011)
• Doctor of Medicine, Université libre de Bruxelles (2005)
Sheleya Pirard, Ms
Laboratory Manager
• MSc in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology, UCLouvain (2016)
• Bachelor in Chemistry, Institut Paul Lambin (2012)
Quentin Verheye, BSc
Laboratory Technician
• Bachelor in Chemistry, Institut Paul Lambin (2024)
Alumni
Raquel Ramos, PhD - Postdoctoral fellow (2019-2022)
Giacomo Bregni, MD - PhD fellow (2021-2023)
Benjamin Dassy, PhD - PhD fellow (2019-2023)
Adeline Augereau, PhD - Postdoctoral fellow (2019-2022)
Juan Alfonso Redondo, PhD - Postdoctoral fellow (2018-2022)
Xavier Bisteau, PhD - Independent research fellow (2020)
Romain Bibes, PhD - Postdoctoral fellow (2017-2020)
Sebastien Neuens, MD - Master thesis (2018)
Natalia Saenz Ponce, PhD - Postdoctoral fellow (2019)
Our lab works in collaboration with the following platforms:
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Imaging (LiMiF)
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High throughput sequencing (brightcore)