Liselore Loverix wins PhD Cup 2024 with doctorate on ovarian cancer
The Flemish PhD Cup 2024 goes to Liselore Loverix, PhD in medical sciences. With a clear pitch on her research into the treatment of ovarian cancer, she convinced the jury at the Handelsbeurs in Ghent. As the winner she will receive a training voucher worth 5,000 euros at Vlerick Business School.
The PhD Cup encourages newly promoted PhDs to share their research with the wider world. Sixteen selected participants were given a four-day media training course led by experts such as VRT journalists Koen Wauters and Tim Pauwels. The challenge: summarize years of research in a clear presentation of just three minutes. After a semifinal, eight finalists remained.
The doctor we all want
In that final, Loverix (KU Leuven - UZ Leuven - VIB - FWO) was able to convince the jury, which included Lieven Vandenhaute (Radio 1), Katleen Bracke (University of Flanders) and Professor Annick Gilles (UAntwerpen), with her pitch "Ovarian cancer no longer treated 'one-size-fits-all'." "Loverix kept us captivated for three minutes by drawing us into her story. She gave most of the content in three minutes but still made everything clear. She is the kind of doctor you hope to have when you are faced with such a disease," according to the jury.
Loverix kept us captivated for three minutes by drawing us into her story. She gave most of the content in three minutes but still made everything clear.
Genetic test predicts treatment success
Every year, around 800 women in Belgium are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. They fight the aggressive disease with chemotherapy after chemotherapy, but in 8 out of 10 patients, the cancer returns after a few months or years. An innovative new treatment consisting of a few daily pills can slow or even prevent the cancer from returning, but it only works in half of patients.
Loverix has developed a genetic test that can determine in advance who will benefit from the drug. "My test is already used in the hospital and will be extended to other types of cancer, such as womb and breast cancer.
As the winner of the PhD Cup, Loverix will receive a training voucher from Vlerick and a visit from the University of Flanders to record a video about her research. Academia Press will also offer her the opportunity to publish a book.
Silver & bronze
Klaas Vander Linden, biomechanical engineer (KU Leuven - FWO), received the second prize for his work on a method that helps surgeons decide whether a life-threatening aortic aneurysm needs immediate surgery. Third place went to literary scholar Lore De Greve (UGent - FWO), for her research on online literary criticism.
Audience Award
Leading up to the finals, the public also had a chance to designate a winner. The finalists presented their research in a short video. With more than 1,100 votes, Loverix also won the audience award.
Watch her winning pitch 👇
