About V.J.M. (Virginie) Verhoeven, MD, PhD
Introduction
Field(s) of expertise
Monogenic (Mendelian) myopia an inherited retinal dystrophies: genotype–phenotype correlations, prognosis, and clinical management.
Complex genetics of refractive error: GWAS/meta-analysis, polygenic risk scores, and gene–environment interactions.
Clinical translation: implementation of genetic testing (WES/WGS/long-read), counselling on inheritance and reproductive options (incl. PGT), and development of clinical guidelines.
Education and career
- MD (2008), Utrecht University, Utrecht
- PhD (cum laude, 2015), What causes myopia? Complex genetics and epidemiology of a common condition, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam
- Clinical Geneticist (Board-certified; since 2020), Erasmus MC, Rotterdam
International fellowships:
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore (2013)
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, UK (2019)
Teaching activities
- Clair Enthoven, Lifestyle Factors on Myopia Development (2021)
- Annet Haarman, Focusing on high Myopia (2022)
- Pam Heutinck, Gene Finding, Adaptive Optics and Clinical Management of inherited retinal dystrophies (2026)
- Milly Tedja, A Journey from a Vision-Threatening Phenotypic Elongation through Large-Scale Genotypic Landscapes (2026)
Guest lecturer in MSc/PhD programs on genetic epidemiology, ocular genetics, and translational research
Other positions
- Co-initiator and former coordinator of the CREAM consortium (2010–2024)
- Member of CREAM-KIDS Mendelian myopia workgroup (since 2023)
Scholarships, grants, and awards
- Bayer Ophthalmology Research Award (2012)
- Ludwig von Sallmann Clinician-Scientist Award (2015)
- ZEISS Young Investigator Award for Myopia Research (2019)
Grants and scholarships:
- ZonMw Veni grant (2017)
- Erasmus MC fellowship (2020)
- Combined Ophthalmic Research Rotterdam (2023)
Publications
Full list of publications: pure.eur.nl/en/persons/virginie-verhoeven
1. Genome-wide meta-analyses of multiancestry cohorts identify multiple new susceptibility loci for refractive error and myopia. Verhoeven VJM et al. Nat Genet. 2013;45(3):314-8.
2. Genome-wide association meta-analysis highlights light-induced signaling as a driver for refractive error. Tedja MS, & Verhoeven VJM et al. Nat Genet. 2018 Jun;50(6):834-848
3. IMI - Myopia Genetics Report. Tedja MS & Verhoeven VJM et al., Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2019 Feb 28;60(3):M89-M105
4. Whole exome sequencing of known eye genes reveals genetic causes for high myopia. Haarman AEG & Verhoeven VJM et al. Hum Mol Genet. 2022 Sep 29;31(19):3290-3298.
5. Frequency and Genetic Spectrum of Inherited Retinal Dystrophies in a Large Dutch Pediatric Cohort: The RD5000 Consortium. Heutinck PAT & Verhoeven VJM et al. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2024;65(10):40