Short Biography

Wilhelmus (Wilco) Kwanten, MD PhD

Dr. Kwanten finished his medical studies in 2011 in Antwerp, after which he obtained his PhD in 2016 in the field of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), nowadays known as metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). After a postdoctoral research fellowship at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston USA he finished his residencies to become medical specialist in 2020.

Currently, he is working as a hepatologist-pancreatologist in the Antwerp University Hospital (UZA). He is affiliated to the University of Antwerp as assisting professor, he gives lectures and is involved in the training of new students and residents. His work/research is centred around MASLD and encompasses both clinical and translational/basic research. His specific interests are the role of the intrahepatic (micro)vasculature in the pathophysiology of MASLD, and the effects of the disease on the portal and systemic vasculature. His efforts have resulted in several impactful papers.