V.J.M. (Virginie) Verhoeven, MD, PhD

I am a clinical geneticist and assistant professor at Erasmus MC, working at the intersection of clinical genetics and ophthalmology. My research focuses on heritable eye disorders, specifically Mendelian (monogenic) myopia and inherited retinal dystrophies (IRD), with the goal of improving diagnostics, visual prognosis, and personalized care. I lead translational research integrating genetics, epidemiology, and clinical data to inform early detection, risk prediction, and treatment strategies.

I specialize in the genetics of heritable eye diseases, specifically myopia and inherited retinal diseases, with expertise in:

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)

Supervised thesis:
- 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

Leadership roles:
- Co-initiator and former coordinator of the CREAM consortium (2010–2024)
- Member of CREAM-KIDS Mendelian myopia workgroup (since 2023)

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)

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

 

Complete publication list