Experience

• 

  Maastricht university

  Feb 2008 - Apr 2009

  Phd candidate

  (The laboratory moved to the VU University Amsterdam in 2009)

• 

  Vu university medical center

  Apr 2009 - May 2012

  Phd candidate

  I conducted research on the role of carbohydrate-binding proteins in vascular biology. Key contributions and achievements• Managed multiple research projects, performed experiments, analyzed and interpreted data.• Written and published 5 articles and reviews, most of which as first author. • Presented our work at 3 national and international conferences, including AACR. • Initiated and organized a monthly social event for institute members.

• 

  University of liège

  Jan 2013 - Nov 2017

  Postdoctoral research fellow

  As a postdoctoral research fellow, I strategized and managed multiple preclinical research projects on novel targets for the treatment of multiple myeloma and its associated bone disease, including supervision of PhD and MSc students.Key contributions and achievements• Designed, performed and analyzed experiments, including wet and dry lab work and animal models.• Publication and grant application writing. Successful in obtaining research funding. Initiated and fostered national and international collaborations with leading clinicians and scientists.• Presented our work at 15 national and international conferences. 7 oral presentations (2 invited). Twice session chair. Explained our work to laymen as a volunteer for Télévie (cancer charity).• Awarded multiple prized and elected member of the 2016 ECTS Academy (EU young bone researchers)Academic output• 23 scientific articles and reviews, 9 as first author and 4 as last author. For indexed articles see Pubmed "Heusschen R"• >1100 citations (H-index: 16) Show less

• 

  Astrazeneca

  Dec 2017 - now

  Regional medical director EUCAN for the Vaccines & Immune Therapies business unit. • Partner with regional markets to deliver brand strategy for in-line and future assets, in both public health and specialty care setting• Represent EUCAN markets in global Medical Leadership Team & V&I unit Leadership Council• Support multi-country evidence programmes• Partner with markets on business cycle deliverables. Achieve ambitious, focused plans & budget• Strategy & execution of Transform Care initiatives for rapid and seamless access to immunization for recommended populations• Scale best practice medical initiatives across region, synergize across TAs, capability building & talent development• Integrate environmental sustainability in healthcare delivery Show less Head of the Vaccines & Immune Therapies Global Medical Affairs team responsible for cross-portfolio strategy & operations, including:• External Scientific Engagement (congress strategy, external expert engagements, education)• Field Medical strategy & performance• Partnering with health systems to accelerate patient access to appropriate care & increase health system resilience• Medical execution & excellence• Operations & business planning• Cross-therapeutic area integrations & synergies Show less Member of the global Vaccines & Immune therapies (V&I) medical leadership team and V&I unit leadership council• Provide operational leadership to V&I global medical affairs as part of newly established V&I business unit: business & brand planning, transformation agenda, budget delivery• Coordinate brand medical strategy development across COVID, RSV & Flu franchises. Partner with markets to drive execution of V&I portfolio medical plans. • Medical launch excellence and Transform Care strategy. • Develop and implement global field medical excellence framework.• Lead people empowerment and global medical team effectiveness projects.• Lead sustainability agenda. Show less PRECISION is a healthcare transformation programme active in >56 countries which aims to advance clinical practice by fundamentally improving the speed and quality of care for patients with severe and uncontrolled asthma. As the execution lead within the global cross-functional team, I was responsible for delivering strong strategic alignment between global and regional/country leaders, ensuring impactful execution of key medical activities.Key contributions and achievements• Constant communication with priority market cross-functional teams and regional leaders to drive a rapid, consistent implementation of global strategy, including market reviews and roll-out of key materials. Deliver internal training and workshops. • Design and roll-out a bespoke programme implementation and scaling framework, including unmet need modeling and KPI framework to enhance programme effectiveness. • Business owner for a web-based tool that supports HCPs to identify patients with uncontrolled and potentially severe asthma. Launched the tool in 44 markets and 21 languages, reaching >200K HCPs with demonstrated impact on referral rates and biologics initiations for appropriate patients. • Deliver content and symposia at key congresses. • Chair a task force with KEEs which delivered foundational materials to support markets in setting up severe asthma networks of excellence. Show less In this field-based role, I contributed to optimal patient outcomes by communicating evidence to HCPs, instilling confidence on AstraZeneca therapies, delivering impactful projects and supporting internal stakeholders with medical insight and expertise. Pre/post launch of benralizumab (Fasenra) in severe asthma and disease state awareness in mild asthma.Key contributions and achievements• Scientific exchange with KEEs and other stakeholders on TA unmet needs or key data sets, including 6 national and regional advisory boards. Handling of medical information requests and AE reporting.• Achieved #1 scientific knowledge and partnership across pharma companies in our market (blinded KEE survey).• Report insights to internal stakeholders. Recognition for excellence in delivering medical training.• Support for multiple clinical trials, including site motivation. • PRECISION programme lead: delivered multiple impactful initiatives driving OCS stewardship and increasing asthma patient access to optimal care in partnership with national working group.• VEEVA CRM medical excellence lead (KPI tracking).• Booth team at ERS 2018 and booth team lead at EAACI 2019. Show less

  • Medical Director, Europe & Canada

    Jun 2024 - now

  • Senior Director, Global Medical Affairs

    Oct 2023 - Jun 2024

  • Global Medical Execution Director, Vaccines & Immune Therapies

    Apr 2022 - Oct 2023

  • Global Medical Execution Leader, Transform Care Respiratory & Immunology

    Apr 2021 - Apr 2022

  • Global Medical Execution Manager, Transform Care in Asthma

    Apr 2020 - Apr 2021

  • Medical Science Liaison, Respiratory

    Dec 2017 - Mar 2020