Carine Michiels is Professor at UNamur and Télévie Principal Investigator. She is an internationally recognized expert in the field of radiation biology and cancer research, whose work has significantly advanced our understanding of how cancer cells respond to radiation and anti-cancer treatments. Over the course of her career, she has combined cell biology, physics, and medical research to address one of the major challenges in oncology: why some tumors resist treatment. Her research explores how radiation interacts with cancer cells at the molecular level, helping scientists design therapies that are both more effective against tumors and safer for healthy tissues.
A central contribution of Professor Michiels’ work lies in improving radiotherapy, a treatment used in more than half of cancer patients worldwide. Her team has pioneered innovative approaches combining advanced radiation techniques, such as proton therapy, with nanotechnology and targeted biological strategies. These studies have revealed new ways to increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to radiation while limiting side effects, opening promising perspectives for more precise and personalized cancer treatments. By bridging fundamental science and clinical application, her research contributes directly to improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
The excellence and impact of Professor Michiels’ research fully align with the objectives of the SCK CEN Chair, which promotes outstanding contributions to nuclear science and radiation research with societal relevance. Through long-standing collaborations with physicists, clinicians, and international partners, she has helped strengthen interdisciplinary research at the interface between radiation science and human health. Her achievements, recognized by major international distinctions, exemplify how fundamental research in radiation sciences can lead to tangible advances in medicine and public health.
The SCK CEN Chair Roger Van Geen was created at the initiative of the SCK CEN (Belgian Nuclear Research Centre). This Chair, worth €12,500, is awarded by the FNRS and the FWO, every two years, to a leading researcher in the field of nuclear sciences and their applications.
(c) UNamur - Benjamin Brolet