Kim Smits

Kim is a molecular epidemiologist working as an associate professor at Maastricht University Medical Center, specialized in cancer biomarkers and biomarker methodology. Next to her training at Maastricht University, she has been trained at the Ospedale Maggiore in Milan, the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, John Hopkins University, and the department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University.

Her research mainly focusses on biomarkers for melanoma, renal and colorectal cancer and she has developed and patented several multivariate prediction models including molecular biomarkers in tissue and liquid biopsies, for cancer detection and prognosis. Recently, she initiated a prospective urinary biobank for renal and bladder cancer biomarker research, that currently aims to cover the South-east region of the Netherlands. In addition, coming from her epidemiological background, part of her research concentrates on optimizing the methodology of (molecular) biomarker research and she is often invited as a methodological advisor for both academic as well as industrial partners.