Nico Verdonschot, scientific director of the TechMed Centre at the University of Twente, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Aalborg University in Denmark. The honorary doctorate of the faculty of Engineering and Science was awarded on 13 april during the annual celebration of Aalborg University.
Besides being the scientific director of the TechMed Centre, Nico Verdonschot is professor of Biomechanical Implants at the department of Biomechanical Engineering at the UT and professor at the RadboudUMC. He has a global reputation in the field of orthopaedic biomechanics. In his research he uses imaging techniques like CT, MRI, ultrasound and PET scans. With the help of the obtained images, his group develops computer simulations to better understand the (dis)functioning of the human musculoskeletal system.
For his computer simulations Verdonschot often uses AnyBody, a software system for musculoskeletal analysis that was developed at Aalborg University. He developed an AnyBody-model that can predict the functional capacity of a tumor patient after musculoskeletal surgery. A better understanding of the effectiveness of such surgical procedures leads to better therapy for patients and cost reduction.
For his research Verdonschot acquired several subsidies. Among these subsidies was an ERC advanced grant of 2,5 million euros for the further development and expansion of his research in the field of diagnostic and evaluation methods for orthopedic patients.
Aalborg University and the University of Twente have close ties in several areas. The education model of the Danish university was used as a source of inspiration for innovating the educational model of the UT. Both universities are also members of the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU).