dr. D.J. (Dominic) Robinson

Robinson leads a research group in Biomedical Optics focused on the development of (i) quantitative optical imaging and spectroscopy for diagnosis and monitoring therapy and (ii) the (pre-) clinical implementation of translational photodynamic therapy (PDT) in Head & Neck (H&N) and Gastroenterology. He utilizes quantitative fluorescence spectroscopy to perform in-vivo clinical pharmacokinetics measurements in patients undergoing Image Guided Surgery in the Head and Neck.

In H&N, Gastroenterology, and Pulmonology, his group is investigating the use of optical spectroscopy to measure endogenous contrast (ultrastructure) in the oral cavity to detect the presence of distant tumors in the Upper Aerodigestive Tract (UAT). He has also recently shown that optical spectroscopy in combination with FNA cytology can differentiate head and neck lymph nodes containing metastatic deposits from normal lymph nodes. He now aims to establish this approach in an outpatient setting and test whether these techniques can be applied in other organs, such as the pancreas (LUMC) and oesophageal lymph nodes (UMCG).

In a long-standing collaboration with Dr. Oliveria (UU), he is investigating the use of targeted nanobody conjugates for PDT—initially intended for clinical use in H&N cancer, but also in other organs (pancreas, brain, and breast)—using both currently available photosensitisers and novel agents. He is investigating the use of optical monitoring during therapy, the role of the immune system in targeted PDT, how it can be modulated to maximize efficacy, and whether photosensitizers are effective in hypoxic environments. Furthermore, he is working to evaluate the potential and devise an optimal strategy for the clinical implementation of targeted nanobody PDT in H&N cancer.

In each research line, the development of devices for imaging, fiber optics, and endoscopy plays a critical role. He has close links with the Core Experimental Medical Instrumentation (EMI) facility and manages the approval process under medical device regulations (IMDD/MDR).

Fluorescence Imaging

Fluorescence and Reflectance Spectroscopy

Photodynamic Therapy

Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging and Spectroscopy

Photoacoustic Imaging

Hyperspectral Imaging

Field Cancerization and Scattering Spectroscopy

Medical Devices and MDR regulations

Robinson is a physicist by training (MSc Physics, University of Manchester, 1992; MSc Medical Physics, University of Leeds, 1994). He completed his PhD at the University of Leeds in 1998, focusing on the in-vivo kinetics of photosensitiser fluorescence during photodynamic therapy. Following a brief period as a research assistant in Leeds, he moved to the Netherlands in 1998 to join the Academic Hospital Rotterdam (now Erasmus MC) as a post-doctoral researcher in photodynamic therapy and optical spectroscopy within Radiotherapy. He continued at Erasmus MC as a researcher in Radiation Oncology from 2001, subsequently taking on an Assistant Professor role in the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. Alongside research secondments at Leiden University Medical Centre and University Medical Center Groningen, he was appointed Associate Professor at Erasmus MC in 2025.

Supervised 15 PhD theses to date (co-promotor), alongside numerous MSc and BSc theses and student internships.

Lectured at short courses and schools (Marie Curie ITN, EMIM, TU Delft)